Comments on: Reaction to First 24hr Adventure Race http://appliedvitals.com/1017/reaction-to-first-24hr-adventure-race/ adventure : training : racing Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:35:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dominic http://appliedvitals.com/1017/reaction-to-first-24hr-adventure-race/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Dominic Fri, 21 May 2010 02:03:20 +0000 http://appliedvitals.com/?p=1017#comment-116 Grant - You're absolutely right about the accessibility of adventure racing to the novice. I'm just entering the sport now and have found the community to be so supportive that it seems odd in the context of competition. But then as you point out, for us mere mortals, it's about the experience and not your finishing position. As for the distance and difficulty of these races, I've found that even the format of races as intense as the Atomic Adventure Race are geared to accommodate many skill levels. I should clarify that "accommodate" doesn't mean handicap, but it does translate to appropriate support and exit points for those that may have reached their threshold shy of the finish line. So for those that are interested in checking out adventure racing, go for it! I went from relative inactivity one year ago to a 4hr sprint in October, 12hr in February and 24hr in May. After each race I assessed my conditioning and built towards the next goal. As concerned as I was about being in shape for each race, I was blown away by the different level of participants - tall, short, thin, wide . . . all hard charging to get out there and see what they could do. Like many things in life, it's more often our fear of failing or even fear of hurting our pride that keeps us from doing things. The adventure racing crew is very supportive, laughs a lot (a required trait for those intentionally putting themselves in discomfort) and welcomes newcomers with open arms. Try saying that about another sport. Grant – You’re absolutely right about the accessibility of adventure racing to the novice. I’m just entering the sport now and have found the community to be so supportive that it seems odd in the context of competition. But then as you point out, for us mere mortals, it’s about the experience and not your finishing position.

As for the distance and difficulty of these races, I’ve found that even the format of races as intense as the Atomic Adventure Race are geared to accommodate many skill levels. I should clarify that “accommodate” doesn’t mean handicap, but it does translate to appropriate support and exit points for those that may have reached their threshold shy of the finish line.

So for those that are interested in checking out adventure racing, go for it! I went from relative inactivity one year ago to a 4hr sprint in October, 12hr in February and 24hr in May. After each race I assessed my conditioning and built towards the next goal.

As concerned as I was about being in shape for each race, I was blown away by the different level of participants – tall, short, thin, wide . . . all hard charging to get out there and see what they could do. Like many things in life, it’s more often our fear of failing or even fear of hurting our pride that keeps us from doing things.

The adventure racing crew is very supportive, laughs a lot (a required trait for those intentionally putting themselves in discomfort) and welcomes newcomers with open arms. Try saying that about another sport.

]]> By: Grant (Untamed Adventure) http://appliedvitals.com/1017/reaction-to-first-24hr-adventure-race/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Grant (Untamed Adventure) Thu, 20 May 2010 07:32:56 +0000 http://appliedvitals.com/?p=1017#comment-111 Congrats and it's cool that you're hooked! I know some elite adventure racers and it's amazing what they can do. One jokes that he's waiting to do Ironman until he's older, retired from adventure racing, and "out of shape." I think it's important for people to know they can enjoy the sport without being super-human in terms of fitness, training, and ability. Us "mere mortals" may not finish on the podium, but just participating can still be such an uplifting experience. Good luck with the training! Congrats and it’s cool that you’re hooked! I know some elite adventure racers and it’s amazing what they can do. One jokes that he’s waiting to do Ironman until he’s older, retired from adventure racing, and “out of shape.”

I think it’s important for people to know they can enjoy the sport without being super-human in terms of fitness, training, and ability. Us “mere mortals” may not finish on the podium, but just participating can still be such an uplifting experience.

Good luck with the training!

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