A few months ago my husband casually asked to see if I would be interested in filling a spot on his boss's adventure race team as one of his team members were hurt. Not thinking I would really be needed, I said oh yah sure! I'm a triathlete= I can so do an adventure race!
Before participating in my first adventure race over the past weekend, I imagined adventure racing as triathlon with a canoe and mountain bike. Well folks, I couldn't have been more wrong...
Triathlon vs. Adventure Racing
- First of all adventure racing is a team sport. There is no "I" in adventure race. Something I am definitely not used to... Team work what? The rules even require you to stay within 50 feet of your team members at all times. And yes my husband, his boss, and I were all on the same team. Probably not the best team dynamic, but we survived.
- Adventure racing requires keen navigation skills. Navigation skills... map??? You mean I'm required to think? You mean my husband is giving directions? or better yet his boss?!?
- Mountain biking is far more exciting than hunching over for 2 hours plus in the aero position. We're talking tight turns, doing wheelies over tree stumps, navigation over 2x4 skinny bridges. What a rush! Given my stellar bike handing skills, I was lucky I didn't eat it on my borrowed bike. The pink hotness is still near and dear to my heart :)
- Bugs, snakes, spiders, and GATORS! Yikes! Nuff said. ( I was too scared to take a picture).
- Mud, wet shoes, swamp lands, quick sand, being soaked to the bone for 4 plus hours, humidity, and lots more mud in places you definitely don't want it to be. You mean we need to carry our bikes through this?!???"
Although there were plenty of differences, the post race Naw-lins style post race party was much of the same:
Not the healthiest of options, but it is New Orleans....
While I don't thinking I'll be crossing over to the dark side anytime soon, mountain biking is way fun. Xterra anyone? Happy hump day everyone!
