Full Circle

I've spent the last week in Moab, providing support for a team (Chasing Manhole Covers) during the Adventure Xstream Expedition race. Despite sleep deprivation and crazy weather, it was a great time!

The team was lead by a friend I made at camp back in March, Tim (also known as my terrific kayaking partner and just all around great guy). Also on the team were 2 other racers that attended the camp, Wendy and Kent. I didn't really get to know them back in March so I wasn't too sure what to expect. What I found was that Wendy is one of those people that you immediately feel comfortable around and is a blast to be around and talk to! Kent is a riot - a quiet guy that had a contagious laugh that would make me want to laugh right with him. Rounding out the 4 was the lovely Melissa from England who, in the middle of the race, would ask me how I was doing. I would say encouragement is her middle name. (oh, and she always has a smile on her face... always!)

The race began noon on Thursday and went until noon Sunday. It was quite the experience to be support for an expedition race - while you don't suffer like the racers, you definitely experience the same lack of sleep that they tend to go through. I figure I got about 7 hours the entire 3 days, while the team only got about 3-4. The first 2 days I got no sleep at all (it was either too hot or too crazy!) and was feeling it the second night - it hit me right in the middle of a long drive to the transition in the La Sal Mountains (not good when you have a 500 foot cliff along the side of the road!).

Since most of you don't follow adventure racing, let me give a little lesson on what support entails. Most races will have transition spots where the support crew meets the team and provides them with a place to change, eat and stock up on water and food for the next leg of the race or at times to sleep. My job was to make sure the transitions went smoothly and everything they needed was there and ready for them. I drove Tim's truck and trailer, which contained all their gear and lots of other fun stuff.

Despite suffering through high temps in the canyons (where many struggled with heat exhaustion) and snow in the mountains, the team did terrific! They finished the entire course, a first for all of them. They all faced their own challenges during the race; sleepmonsters, stomach problems, sickness and a few falls. Yet they struggled through and made it as a team to the finish line. They all are amazing but the women have given me even more reason to work hard for next season - they are an amazing inspiration to me! There was talk of me doing a race with them, maybe my first 24 hour one. I have to admit that while it scares the hell out of me, I would trust them completely for my first longer race. I think some of my remaining fears and insecurities would be challenged in a big way!

So, what's next? Some down time. I have a leg injury that I need to let heal and then I'm going to concentrate on my running again, something that has been lacking lately. I might even hire a trainer to help me get ready for next year. I'm really looking forward to the break.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go....

I know, corny title, but I'm tired and nothing else came to mind so there it is. It was hard getting back to work and school and just the everyday grind of life after my fun, long weekend. I'm also in the process of moving and just have to say that living in one place for a long time is not always a good thing - I have collected way too much junk! Geesh, where did all this stuff come from???

The above pic is from my hike at Arches National Park to the Delicate Arch - beautiful hike that I squeezed in before heading back to Denver. I went with a fellow AR camp attender David who had also stayed in Moab for a couple of days after camp - it was a nice ending to a great weekend. We also did a short hike among some of the rock formations (below) that was just gorgeous - fun time!

My workouts have been rather intense since I returned from Moab - I have a whole new motivation that I didn't have before and am trying to push myself harder. Mental toughness is always my problem - most of the time my body can do it, but my mind isn't always so sure. I'm working on that and hoping I can begin to build the confidence and toughness that goes with racing.

My dear and wonderful brother (Hi Steve!) has offered to let me use one of his mountain bikes, yeah!! I'll be heading down to Texas soon to pick it up and hopefully hit a trail or two when I'm there - I would love to go out with someone as experienced as him. On top of that he has agreed to do a race with me!! He's strong in biking, I'm strong on trekking and between the two of us I think we could do pretty well. He's pretty competitive, I'm only so-so competitive so I'm hoping his competitive streak will rub off on me. Mom has even said she would be there for support, so it could be a fun time for the whole family!

Now, if I can just get Bill to step up and do the Bolder Boulder with all of us, I would be happy (hehe - I thought I would try another route to get you motivated my friend)

It looks like I will be spending Easter Sunday climbing Mt Elbert - my first winter ascent, (or spring, if you want to get all technical about it). I have wanted to do Elbert for a long time and was going to make it my first summer 14er this year, but this chance came up and I don't want to pass it up. Let's just hope the weather holds up - it's suppose to be 20 with some wind but that's it - pretty decent considering what a rough winter it has been. I'll try to post pictures of the climb, as long as my camera doesn't freeze!

Camp Debriefing

So here it is Tuesday and a couple of days after camp. I've been thinking a lot about the camp and it's affect on me, which I have to say is quite profound. For a newbie like me, this was the perfect way to get my feet wet. It was challenging yet fun and helped me get past some of my fears.

I was never made to feel like "the newbie" either - I had wondered if some of the more hardcore types would look at me and my lack of skills and be not too kind. But there was never a moment where I felt looked down on or ridiculed, the support from everyone was amazing.

It truly was a life changing weekend for me. Here is just some of what I learned:

• That I can do so much more than I ever imagined I could and that sometimes a little push is a good thing.
  

• That no fear is too great to overcome.
  

• That compasses are sexy!
  

• That when you are climbing a hill on a bike and the front wheel pops up, you should put your break on and jump off the bike quickly otherwise you will end up bloody and bruised (I'm STILL bleeding from that fall!)
  

• That falling is an art that I have mastered all too well.
  

• That of the instructors I had, Jari cried the first time she mountain biked (and is now a world class biker) and Jon hates heights (yet still does some of the most challenging ropes around). Made me feel a whole lot better.
  

• That going from Point A to Point B in a straight line is rather difficult for me, whether on land or by boat. I guess I missed that class in elementary school.
  

• That despite not being able to go from Point A to Point B in a straight line in a kayak, it can actually mean you get to do lots of 360's, which is a lot of fun! (not exactly great race strategy but I've got to find the good in this somehow)
  

• That if you use "Frankenstein arms" for kayaking, you will learn great form for paddling (it feels weird and looks funny but it works)
  

• That it is possible to go straight down a hill on a mountain bike and not fall off (well, most of the time)
  

• That you can meet the most amazing people in the most unexpected places and your life is the better for having met them.
  

• And finally... that my life is an extremely blessed one. All of you, my friends and family, have been so supportive of me in this endeavor and I will never be able to repay each of you for that support. Your emails and comments meant a lot - THANK YOU!!!

And so on to my next adventure - I have no idea what exactly it will be but I can't wait to find out!

Kayaking 101

The last day of camp was our kayaking day on the Colorado and it was the day I was most looking forward to. No fear of the water here, so I knew the day would be my day to just enjoy. 

And that is exactly how it turned out. It was truly the most fun I had all weekend and I owe it all to my terrific kayaking partner Tim, who happened to be very experienced and was able to give me some personal instruction and pointers. On top of that he was just a blast to be with and made the entire trip fun! The day started off cold and cloudy and the talk was about a storm that was suppose to make our trip miserable, cold and rainy. Miraculously, as soon as we hit the water the sun came out and gave us a couple of wonderful, sunny hours. 

Despite having kayaked before, this was all pretty new to me. Most of my experience had been ocean kayaking and very low key, as in "here's the boat and paddle, wear your life jacket and have fun" - that was about the extent of any instruction we were given. The only river kayaking I had done was way back in college and I don't remember much about it. This day was a solid introduction to good techniques, which I plan to put into practice as much as possible. The rapids were Class 1-2, big enough to be fun but not too scary. We spent a lot of the time going in circles - I just could not master the whole "going in a straight line" thing at all (sound familiar? It was the same problem I had biking - why does that not surprise me?) Tim kept giving me pointers on how to correct my zigzag approach and I was starting to get a little better toward the end of the day. I wish we had had more time but unfortunately it all ended way too soon. As soon as it gets a bit warmer you can bet I'll be out there practicing though! I did learn a lot but most importantly, I had fun. I laughed, saw lots of beautiful scenery and had great company to enjoy it all with. You can't ask for a better day than that - it was a perfect ending to the camp.

Ropes and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

A good nights sleep can work wonders! I actually slept all night and feel like a different person today. So here it is, Monday and I am ready for another day of being outside - I'll be 4 wheeling with some friends who just happen to be in town for the Jeep Safari. Should be a great day! That is hours away and I have yet to post about the rest of my weekend, so here it goes.

Saturday was ropes day and as I mentioned in a previous post, I was pretty nervous about what this day would bring due to my fear of heights. But due to the amazing instruction of Jari I conquered it, no problem. The first rappelling exercise was a 60 foot cliff, pretty small compared to the big ole' cliff that I did later. The pic above is that very cliff - it seemed so big at the time but now it looks so tiny. But it was a HUGE step for me to make it and gave me the courage to take on the larger cliff right next to it.


But first I decided to do the zip line, or Tyrolean Traverse. I hate to admit it but I completely panicked on this one and couldn't do it. Someday I will do it, I have no doubt about that. But at that very moment, when I had to actually jump off, I just couldn't. I instead decided to go for rappelling off the larger cliff. No, let me rephrase that... JARI decided I would be doing the larger cliff. I don't think I had much of a choice. But her confidence in me gave me the courage to do it, and I did!


It was freakin amazing! The first part of the cliff you are walking down the rock but the bottom half is all free fall. (pic on right is the very cliff) It was a 150- 200 foot drop and I made it down no problem. I had a huge grin on my face for the rest of the day and that night I laid in bed reliving the day, which is part of the reason I have been so tired. I wish I could describe the exact feeling but it's hard to put into words. There is just something about conquering your fear that is empowering and liberating. I honestly believe that I can do anything now, anything at all. It may not be easy but I have no intention of letting that stop me.

Here are more pics from the day Ropes

I have to give a lot of credit to the instructors, especially Jari. They knew exactly what to do to walk me through the day. It was one of those days that I will never forget!

We ended up getting back late from ropes and dove right into the navigation clinic/dinner/Adventure Racing 101 with no break. Navigation was a bit over my head, although I plan on taking a more in-depth class this spring that will hopefully help me figure it out. Then Team Salomon/Crested Butte (the team Jari is on and one of the top teams in AR) presented lots of great info on nutrition, time management, gear, etc. After that was 'awards' time- they gave out some gear and I was one of the lucky ones to get something! The whole "I haven't been on a bike since I was 10 years old yet still rode the slick rock trail" won me a couple of backpacking food packets (woo hoo!! I've been wanting to try these). Great end to the day!

I Need Some Sleep

I am seriously tired, so much so that I can't even imagine trying to post all that happened this weekend. So instead I am going to give you a link to some of my pics from this weekend and then tomorrow, after I've gotten a good nights sleep, I will post more from this weekend.

Ropes Pics - Saturday
Kayaking Pics - Sunday

I will say this... this weekend was one of those experiences that was life changing. I did things I never imagined I could and met people that both challenged and encouraged me. But I'll post about that later, sleep has to come first.

A Teaser...

Yesterday was a crazy day and I am just now able to even turn on my computer. I won't be able to do a big update until tonight, so until then check this out...

This cliff was part of our rappelling day. Tonight I'll post more on whether my fear of heights derailed me or not. Let's just say that it was one of those days that I will never forget.

Today it's kayaking day - it's suppose to snow. Oh boy.

My first day!

I made it! I got to Moab at 7:45 this morning, got checked in and then headed up to Slick Rock Trail with about 60+ crazy people like me. To give you an idea of how the day went...


Notice the blood? I had a huge gash on my hand from a fall (one of many) and I STILL can't get the darn thing to stop bleeding, 7 hours later. I 've also got bruises all over, bloody legs from getting tangled in the bike peddles, a massively bruised hip and various other ailments. As someone said "you aren't trying hard enough if you don't come back with bruises and blood." Apparently I tried really, really hard. Despite all that, I loved it! It was a blast and now I get to add another "must have" to my shopping list - a mountain bike!

I was in the beginner group and had the absolutely best, most wonderful instructor in the world! (see pic on left) Her name is Jari Kirkland and is one of the top Adventure Racers in the country; so good that she makes her living doing it. She had infinite patience with me and the other 2 beginners that were with us and made this day just wonderful!

The beginner group began at the Fins n Things trail, which is suppose to be a little bit easier than the Slick Rock Trail. The guide book says this about it... "Like Slickrock, this is a trail for conditioned, skilled riders with intermediate to advanced technical skills. "

Notice the skilled riders with intermediate to advanced technical skills line? That is most definitely not me. (pic below is of the trail) When I first got on the bike I looked like a 5 year old just learning how to ride - I was wobbling all over the place, could not follow a straight line for the life of me and had the hardest time just getting on the dang thing! As the day progressed I got a little less wobbly and began to try more difficult sections.


All in all I would say the day was a success and a great start to my first taste of adventure racing. I would report more but I am exhausted and need to head to bed, we start bright and early tomorrow morning and I need to get some sleep.

If you want to see more pics, go here: Mountain Biking

Now it's on to the ropes clinic (which is a change - kayaking will take place on Sunday instead) - let's hope my fear of heights doesn't hinder me too much.