I know, 26hrs probably sounds crazy for my first adventure race but what the heck, go big or go home. This adventure started around the time I started trail running in Sept 2010 at an Odyssey Adventure's Trail Race. After that they sent me with emails about their other events: adventure races. As someone who likes to be outdoors and loves an adventure, I was intrigued. As I learned more about adventure racing, I was sure I wanted to do a race, but was nervous about my ability to navigate. So, I signed up to take an orienteering class last spring with my fiance with the hope of convincing him we could do an adventure race together. I really learned a lot in the class, but put the adventure racing goal on the back burner as I focused on run training. I ran my first 50k last June, then the TransRockies Run in August, 3 marathons in October and my first 50 miler in November and with a schedule like that there isn't much time for taking on a new sport. My run training continued this spring as I focus on the Laurel Highlands Ultra this June (and the Welcome to Watkins 5k, July 1st 2012, the day after I get married) as well as my first IM in NYC in August. Then, I met Dima after the Seneca Greenway 50k and marathon. It was a muddy, mess of a day in the woods, but a fun local 50k and while waiting to get picked up at the finish and chatting, I got roped into actually trying an adventure race.
Enough of the back story, onto the race! I was pretty nervous in the week leading up to REV3's Epic, I really had no idea what to expect. I feel strong in my running and have crewed enough 100mi runs to know what an overnight race looks like, I own a mountain bike that I pretend to ride, but I was headed out into the woods with 3 men I really didn't know! Adam, my finance, and I got to the cabin pretty late on Friday night and the rest of the team, Dima, Tamir and Nick, were pouring over maps and planning our route for the next day. I have run in these mountains, I know they are tough, but I've always on the trails and I was learning a lot from listening to them plan, I was feeling confident in my team and none of these guys seemed like an axe murderer, so I figured I was safe ;) . We got to bed at a reasonable hour, but 6am on race comes pretty early.
Paddling: I guess I don't know anything else, but a mass canoe start was pretty crazy. Our team got separated at the start as Dima and I got off to a good start. Tamir and Nick quickly caught up to us as we headed down river. There were 3 checkpoints and a challenge to complete. Checkpoint 1, no problem, a quick run up the hill and back down to get the blood flowing, checkpoint 2 was a mess as so many teams were still grouped together and most everyone bouldered up and followed the leaders to a misplotted checkpoint. I was starting to figure out what this race was all about! The challenge was interesting as we had to work together as a team.
We finished the paddling section and back to transition in good spirits and headed out on our bikes. Working hard as we headed into the woods, bushwacking with our bikes (a new experience for me) and we were able to clear the course and get back to transition in good time. It was forecasted to rain and be in the 40s, but so far the weather had been cooperating and I was eager to get out on my running legs and have some fun! So far, so good, we were making good time, hitting all the checkpoints, thanks to some good team effort and excellent navigating! We made it back from the trek just before 6pm, 3hours before our doomsday scenario. Tamir family was volunteering at the second challenge and Adam was waiting for us at the transition area to say hello. It was nice to be able to see some familiar faces, eat a frozen burrito, a package of beef jerky and a variety of other foods while packing up our gear and heading out for a long night in the woods.
As we headed out for the evening, we knew the rain was coming. We hit a few checkpoints as we made it to TA2, hoping to have enough time in the morning to come back, changed a flat in the rain (thank you guys!). But most notably, we went to a 2pointer 4k down the mountain, which can only mean one thing: Dima is going to help pull me 4k back up the mountain! I cannot thank my teammates enough for the amount of help and support I got with my biking and with taking responsibility for all the navigating. I can push these guys to run and pick up the hiking pace, but I my lack of training on the bike was pretty evident.
The night orienteering course was my favorite part. Not sure if this was because I feel most comfortable when I am treking and running, scrambling or that at night there is nothing to focus on but the race. The rest of the world falls away and you are lost in the goals of the race. This was the first overnight race I have done and which I have heard people talk about your headlamp playing tricks on your eyes in the shadows or the blood sugar lows just before sunrise, it is a totally new experience for me to actually experience them. I can't say it was a good feeling, but when sunrise comes, it brings an amazing burst of energy. We made it back to our bikes before 7am after clearing the o-course, but leaving one of the optional bike/trek points.
Not knowing how long it was going to take to get back to the start and how my biking legs would hold up we were able to get several additional checkpoints on bike. While Dima felt we had enough time to go for another 2 point CP at the top of Signal Knob and make it back in time, I wasn't quite sure. As a team we decided to skip it and head back. Unfortunately, we made it back with more than an hour and a half to spare, so we probably had time, but learning those lessons, that's what a first experience is all about.
Calleva finished 6th in prime division and 7th overall (out of 66)!
Race results are here.
More race photos are here.
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