Adventure Nuts –
Ryan Ashworth and I have been brain storming some ideas for race venues for an adventure race next year. We have limited our search to 12 to 24 Hour races within a one day drive of SLC.
Here are the options we have come up with so far:
1. AXS Moab Moab March 27th
Awesome race. May be fun to try another venue. Hard to beat though in terms of driving distance and monster rappel.
http://www.gravityplay.com/adventureracing/moab.html
2. Grizzlyman Greenough, Montana April 17th
http://grizzlymanrace.com
there will be two separate races. With finish times estimated at 8-10 hours, The GrizzlyMan Adventure Race will be a qualifier for 2010 USARA Nationals! The Black Bear Challenge will be a slightly less intense 4-6 hour course for racers interested in an introduction to adventure racing. The Black Bear will include no paddling or water navigation. Both races are sanctioned USARA events. Racers can compete solo or as 2 person teams (non-relay).
3. AXS Buena Vista Buena Vista, CO May 8th
Jason and I tried this race a couple years ago. The whitewater was AWESOME! I don’t think there is a better race in terms of kayaking whitewater. The mtn bike trail was poorly planned, but we went their first year in that venue. Hopefully they changed the bike portion. It was a very tough race with a tear jerker of a rope challenge at the end.
http://www.gravityplay.com/adventureracing/buenavista.html
4. Desert Winds Lake Mead May 8th
http://www.desertwindsadventureseries.com/desert-winds.html
This is the 4th year this race is running. Swim, trek, paddle (no bikes)
5. The Crucible Coeur D’Alene, ID June 13th
http://www.adventuresportsweek.com/main.asp?pID=129
This race looks like it is well run and has some mojo. About a 12hour drive from SLC. This one is part of a 10-day event called Adventure Sports Week. Includes Mtn Biking, Trail Running (climbing?), ropes section, “wet obstacles”, swimming, kayaking, intellectual test, and “possible fitness or skills test. Sounds pretty fun.
6. Big Blue Lake Tahoe July 31st
http://www.bigblueadventure.com/pub/main2.asp?daEvent=24&daPageName=INTRO
Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Orienteering. Click the links at the left of the webpage after going to the link to see race details, etc…
7. 120% Testosterone Killroy, WY Sept 25th (This one is funny!)
http://www.usmultisport.com/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2089
1 mile class 3 rapids swim, 18 mile 10% grade bike, 4 mile beach run, 100 foot tree climb
8. CheckpointTracker - Check out www.CheckpointTracker.com for other race options all over the US.
There are also several races in California, but I have not included any of them due to the driving distance and time commitment. Also, please don’t assume we have exhausted the race venue options. I would love to hear of any other ideas for other races. So do your own research and email your suggestions.
Registration dates are rapidly approaching. Please take a few minutes to check out these race options (and others) and email the group with your thoughts. Feel free to forward this email and invite others.
Would anyone be interested in a lunch event to discuss the options and decide on a race?
PS Congrats to Jason Miller on his 10 hour finish in the Arizona Ironman!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Moab Xstream 2009 Video
I guess you tube has killed the audio on our Moab Xstream 2009b video (and it isn't nearly as cool without it!). So here it is again in living color and (fingers crossed) with living audio too. AND, pasted below are some of your comments:
Comments from Scott Swallow:
All,
Team "CircumNavigator" had an excellent time on the course this past weekend. We were all first-timers to the race and realized that there are some things we will have to change for next year.
Here are a few of those changes:
1. Arrive on time to the race (the race began for us around 8:25 am) oops!!
2. Keep blown tires to a minimum (we had three in the first 2 hours of riding)
3. Perhaps hauling 4 liters of water is a little excessive
4. Learn how to steer a two man kayak before race day (we are pretty good at going in circles)
5. Save the expense of eating at Pasta Joes until after the race (I threw up twice that night) Who would of thought?
Anyway, we had so much fun and can't hardly wait to do another race. I would be really interested in that 100 mile bike race. I think it is outside of Durango. A good trainer for that could be the White Rim. Any interest?
Comments from Craig Romrell:
Some of my thoughts from the race:
"How did he do that? moment" - watching the solo winner bike up the steep sand section and pass our team within the first hour of the race.
Best part of the race: 275' rappel in 9.8 seconds
Worst part of the race: miles 6-9 of the kayak
What I wish I brought less of: water, food
What I wish I had another of? 8 oz coke, that was some sweet nectar after the run, snickers bars were good too
Worst choice of words by race official: "we've had a fall"
Thoughts of mine (Josh Jensen):
1) I totally agree with the Kayak comment….That DEAD HORSE took a BEATing!
2) I would also add the initial ascent up the canyon was BREATHTAKING….in MANY WAYS!!!
3) SPENCER FINISHED THE RACE….NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!!!!!! (the only difference was we rode a kayak and he rode the ambulance….TEAM WILD MULE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE AS A TEAM!!!
4) I also packed too much food and liquid (BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY RIGHT?)
5) Coke would have been good Craig…..wouldn’t that be considered contraband??? (just like on TREK…right Dave?)
6) As far as the rappel goes…Spencer DROPPED IT LIKE IT’S HOT! (That rope must have been smokin’ at the end of that drop!). A staff member warned that going that fast can lead to a broken ankle...we’re glad he’s ok!
m ,
Comments from Scott Swallow:
All,
Team "CircumNavigator" had an excellent time on the course this past weekend. We were all first-timers to the race and realized that there are some things we will have to change for next year.
Here are a few of those changes:
1. Arrive on time to the race (the race began for us around 8:25 am) oops!!
2. Keep blown tires to a minimum (we had three in the first 2 hours of riding)
3. Perhaps hauling 4 liters of water is a little excessive
4. Learn how to steer a two man kayak before race day (we are pretty good at going in circles)
5. Save the expense of eating at Pasta Joes until after the race (I threw up twice that night) Who would of thought?
Anyway, we had so much fun and can't hardly wait to do another race. I would be really interested in that 100 mile bike race. I think it is outside of Durango. A good trainer for that could be the White Rim. Any interest?
Comments from Craig Romrell:
Some of my thoughts from the race:
"How did he do that? moment" - watching the solo winner bike up the steep sand section and pass our team within the first hour of the race.
Best part of the race: 275' rappel in 9.8 seconds
Worst part of the race: miles 6-9 of the kayak
What I wish I brought less of: water, food
What I wish I had another of? 8 oz coke, that was some sweet nectar after the run, snickers bars were good too
Worst choice of words by race official: "we've had a fall"
Thoughts of mine (Josh Jensen):
1) I totally agree with the Kayak comment….That DEAD HORSE took a BEATing!
2) I would also add the initial ascent up the canyon was BREATHTAKING….in MANY WAYS!!!
3) SPENCER FINISHED THE RACE….NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!!!!!! (the only difference was we rode a kayak and he rode the ambulance….TEAM WILD MULE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE AS A TEAM!!!
4) I also packed too much food and liquid (BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY RIGHT?)
5) Coke would have been good Craig…..wouldn’t that be considered contraband??? (just like on TREK…right Dave?)
6) As far as the rappel goes…Spencer DROPPED IT LIKE IT’S HOT! (That rope must have been smokin’ at the end of that drop!). A staff member warned that going that fast can lead to a broken ankle...we’re glad he’s ok!
m ,
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
GAME ON!!! Moab Adventure XStream Race
Get freaking pumped!!! Pack tomorrow and travel Friday, it is GAME TIME!!
I am excited. Weather.com shows the temperature at a high in the mid 60's and a low in the mid 30's. Great race conditions. The morning start will likely be a little bit cold. Since we don't know what event will be starting the race try to plan some options for clothing in the morning. If we start in the Kayaks, plan to be wearing some warm clothing that you could drop at the end of the Kayak (fleece is good) at your gear box. If we start out biking, you may want to have removable bike sleeves to pull off as you warm up (climbing hills on a bike gets the blood flowing, but barrelling down hill gets you chilled). Bring some options and you can make the call the night before.
Attached is the gear list from the race website. Get your individual gear, but also make sure to review the list with your team to be sure everything is covered on the team items. Below is a list of items to consider bringing. Some of these suggestions may be on the list attached, but some will not be.
Rapelling Gloves - You need a thick pair of leather gloves to protect your hands while you rappel. The rope gets hot and will burn your hands if you don't have this. Last year I think I wore my biking gloves underneath some thick leather garden gloves and that worked fine. You may be carrying the golves, harness, etc... on the run outside of your pack. The last 2 years the rappel and run have been in the exact same location. Both years our team has opted to leave our packs and gear at the bottom of the rappel and then run to the top just carrying our harnesses, golves, a water bottle (1 or 2 to share for the whole team), and running with our helmets ON, since a helmet is mandatory for the rappel (it will help a lot if you fall 300 feet :-).
Shoes for Kayaking (along with extra socks) - Your feet will probably get wet and you don't want to run in wet shoes afterwards. I have worn Keen sandals, others have purchased cheap water sock type shoes. You will need to carry the kayak around 100 yards or more and then enter the water. Something you could run/walk in that can get wet. The extra socks may be needed after the kayak.
Kayak paddle and life jackets. Although the race does provide the kayak, the paddle and life jacket are NOT provided at the race. You can rent these at the UofU Outdoor Rec (that is where we are getting some of ours) or REI (we have used these before too). I think they are both the same essentially. You could also where a water ski lifejacket, but it will be a lot larger and more likely to rub on your arms.
Sunglasses
Biking shorts - I have worn tri-shorts the last couple years and these work great. Biking shorts are a little too much like a diaper when you are running. Whatever is comfortable.
New Gear for this year. Our team is going to try out the concept of connecting our bikes together during the uphill portions of the race. I spoke with a guy who has raced on Team Nike and he says this is something that really helps to even out the varrying paces of the 4 riders on the uphill portions of the race. We will be using retractable dog leashes to teather ourselves temporarily together. We have not completed these devices and have no idea how hard it will be to do this....
Gear boxes - you will need 3 or 4 big tupperware type boxes to leave at a gear drop location. All your drop items are supposed to be in the boxes. It is usually a really good idea to leave some Gatorade or water in your gear box. it is also a good idea to drink a lot on the kayak from a bottle that you can leave behind or throw away after (to keep your liquid supply in your camelback as full as you can for time away from your gear boxes, etc...)
CAMERA - Don't forget to bring at least one camera. Even if it is just for before and after photos. Brian and Craig have, in the past video-taped portions of the rappel. REMEMBER, I really want your photos and comments on the blog xstreamsports.bolgspot.com . It is just fun to have a location to keep track of the memories. The camera will record the physical memories and scars and the journal entry should capture the emotional scars and pride of accomplishment.
In terms of food for the race: I have read that you can only take in about 200 calories per hour while you are racing. You will burn more calories than you can eat during the race. Many racers like to carbo-load in advance and eat like a horse afterwards. Most recommedations I have heard are to start carbo-loading 2 or 3 days in advance. About now is a good time to start. Also, it will also really help to, in the words of Greg Randall, "Drink like a fish for several days before the race" (again that could start today).
In terms of Friday, it is really helpful to check in as early as possible (around 5 or 6 pm) so that you have time to organize your gear and pack your race bags and boxes. This year it looks like they want us to leave our gear box the night before (instead of the morning of like last year).
Let me know if you need any information or help with anything.
IT IS GO TIME!
I am excited. Weather.com shows the temperature at a high in the mid 60's and a low in the mid 30's. Great race conditions. The morning start will likely be a little bit cold. Since we don't know what event will be starting the race try to plan some options for clothing in the morning. If we start in the Kayaks, plan to be wearing some warm clothing that you could drop at the end of the Kayak (fleece is good) at your gear box. If we start out biking, you may want to have removable bike sleeves to pull off as you warm up (climbing hills on a bike gets the blood flowing, but barrelling down hill gets you chilled). Bring some options and you can make the call the night before.
Attached is the gear list from the race website. Get your individual gear, but also make sure to review the list with your team to be sure everything is covered on the team items. Below is a list of items to consider bringing. Some of these suggestions may be on the list attached, but some will not be.
Rapelling Gloves - You need a thick pair of leather gloves to protect your hands while you rappel. The rope gets hot and will burn your hands if you don't have this. Last year I think I wore my biking gloves underneath some thick leather garden gloves and that worked fine. You may be carrying the golves, harness, etc... on the run outside of your pack. The last 2 years the rappel and run have been in the exact same location. Both years our team has opted to leave our packs and gear at the bottom of the rappel and then run to the top just carrying our harnesses, golves, a water bottle (1 or 2 to share for the whole team), and running with our helmets ON, since a helmet is mandatory for the rappel (it will help a lot if you fall 300 feet :-).
Shoes for Kayaking (along with extra socks) - Your feet will probably get wet and you don't want to run in wet shoes afterwards. I have worn Keen sandals, others have purchased cheap water sock type shoes. You will need to carry the kayak around 100 yards or more and then enter the water. Something you could run/walk in that can get wet. The extra socks may be needed after the kayak.
Kayak paddle and life jackets. Although the race does provide the kayak, the paddle and life jacket are NOT provided at the race. You can rent these at the UofU Outdoor Rec (that is where we are getting some of ours) or REI (we have used these before too). I think they are both the same essentially. You could also where a water ski lifejacket, but it will be a lot larger and more likely to rub on your arms.
Sunglasses
Biking shorts - I have worn tri-shorts the last couple years and these work great. Biking shorts are a little too much like a diaper when you are running. Whatever is comfortable.
New Gear for this year. Our team is going to try out the concept of connecting our bikes together during the uphill portions of the race. I spoke with a guy who has raced on Team Nike and he says this is something that really helps to even out the varrying paces of the 4 riders on the uphill portions of the race. We will be using retractable dog leashes to teather ourselves temporarily together. We have not completed these devices and have no idea how hard it will be to do this....
Gear boxes - you will need 3 or 4 big tupperware type boxes to leave at a gear drop location. All your drop items are supposed to be in the boxes. It is usually a really good idea to leave some Gatorade or water in your gear box. it is also a good idea to drink a lot on the kayak from a bottle that you can leave behind or throw away after (to keep your liquid supply in your camelback as full as you can for time away from your gear boxes, etc...)
CAMERA - Don't forget to bring at least one camera. Even if it is just for before and after photos. Brian and Craig have, in the past video-taped portions of the rappel. REMEMBER, I really want your photos and comments on the blog xstreamsports.bolgspot.com . It is just fun to have a location to keep track of the memories. The camera will record the physical memories and scars and the journal entry should capture the emotional scars and pride of accomplishment.
In terms of food for the race: I have read that you can only take in about 200 calories per hour while you are racing. You will burn more calories than you can eat during the race. Many racers like to carbo-load in advance and eat like a horse afterwards. Most recommedations I have heard are to start carbo-loading 2 or 3 days in advance. About now is a good time to start. Also, it will also really help to, in the words of Greg Randall, "Drink like a fish for several days before the race" (again that could start today).
In terms of Friday, it is really helpful to check in as early as possible (around 5 or 6 pm) so that you have time to organize your gear and pack your race bags and boxes. This year it looks like they want us to leave our gear box the night before (instead of the morning of like last year).
Let me know if you need any information or help with anything.
IT IS GO TIME!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
59 days until race
With only 59 days until race day the trash talking is reaching new heights. The new boys from Logan are gunning for first, and Team Die Hard was one peanut butter sandwich out of 2nd place last year. Will your team be on the podium on March 28?
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