Prepping for my first Adventure Race Ever a 200 mile, 72 hour Race the Fat Otter Raid
Update April 12
Sitting at work and decide it is time to do an Adventure Race. I figure it needs to be soon enough to keep motivated but far enough to get ready. Ok, the Fat Otter Raid, May 20 is 5 weeks away.
Mental Check List
Mountain Bike = NO
Compass = NO
Backpack = NO
Map Case, bike tools, first aid gear, flotation device, blah blah blah, NO NO NO
Ok this is a 4 person coed, Team Mates, I got team mates, Will and Steve are instantly in.
Now you are thinking they are IN because they are experienced AR people, AH NO, They are in the same boat except Steve has a Mountain Bike. Still no female that will do a 200 mile race with a bunch of newbies.
Update April 18
I now have a mountain bike and compass, great start, but nothing else.
Steve did a mountain bike race this weekend, that is a head start.
Will, well Will is incredible Athlete and can run the entire thing while Steve and I ride.
Oh Yeah have I mentioned there is a so called white water rafting part, yeah right in WI. Anyway, we should at least get in a canoe for the first time before the race. Ok add that to the check list.
I did do a Red Level (advanced level) Orienteering Course and cleared it, I was told not to try such a hard one on my first try by someone running the event. I ignored him like Will, Steve, and I have ignored everyone that told us not to do the Fat Otter as our first AR. I do not know what the big deal is about navigating, I Love Navigating and it has always been a passion of mine…. Anyway, I can navigate and so can Will at least we have that for us.
I started riding 19 miles a day on my MTB to get into shape. Shape, that is funny this a 200 mile race not a 20 mile race. I figure I can do it in 10 chunks so it should not be that bad.
Why are we doing this? We are On Point Foundation and we are setting the example for disabled service members. I have a broken back, “See Service Page” and Will has been hit by shrapnel more then once. Steve is a good friend who supports the cause and will be dragging me though this. Our goal is to finish the race and show others they can do it also and they should not be scared to start being adventurous, after all I never thought I would do any of this again. It feels good.
Keep checking back to see our crazy adventure as we count down to our first Adventure Race.
Arlen
Rock on. I’m doing my first (a 6 hour sprint) on 4 weeks training. I’m not disabled…unless you count the 3 knee reconstructions due to football and mixed martial arts. TEAR IT UP OUT THERE!