Sorry for not updating in a while, been working most weekends or either been sick and have not raced.Although racing season is gaining upon me so fast, i need to get back into the shape of things.
On Sunday the 26th June 2011, I participated in my first Kinetic Adventure Race ever with my team called Team LAVA. Team Lava entered two teams – a pair and original team of three. Not ready to race considering that I was sick and probably should not have raced, I headed to Glenburn Lodge in Muldersdrift to join my other 4 team members (Larry *Team Leader*, Vaughn, Grant, and Samantha). Because it was Grant, Myself and Sam’s first Adventure Race, we agreed to take it easy and enjoy the race and work on navigating together as a team of 5 instead of two teams, however once the race had started, the idea blew straight out of everyone’s minds. Larry is an avid competitor and will push you to race harder as personally I think he is a machine!
The race started with running around Glenburn Lodge to different Orientation Points and watching teams scattered everywhere, the excitement started fading when I noticed all the steep uphill’s or Slight Inclines as my friends would say…and being sick does not help at all. However we finished the track in no time and next headed out on our mountain bikes to tackle the 15km of cycling to different Check Points that were marked on our Google Maps that were handed to us at the start. The MTB section of the race was my downfall – hill after hill after hill…and I slowed my team down a lot, and at that point realized I should not have raced. My team would have been finished way ahead if it weren’t for me battling up the hills with breathing. And to top that, on the last 5km stretch, I pulled my calf muscle, delaying more time to stop and stretch it out. Luckily I didn’t pull it properly and managed to stretch it out and carry on racing. Parts of the track we literally could not cycle as the track was more of a single track/foot path along the side of the mountain, with loose rocks everywhere and cliff on your right side, however I quite enjoyed the view from that part of the race and realized why I do the things I do even when I am sick!
Heading back from the cycle and scanning in our barcodes, we headed out again for a trail run to tackle the 3rd leg of the race where we ended up running up a single track alongside the mountain. Going up was easy, but coming down, my left knee decided it had had enough for the day. At this point our team split from 5 members to Vaughn and I pulling back to take it easy down the mountain to avoid further injury. Just minutes behind our other team members, we headed back to transition where we tackled the kayak part of the race. I thought id dive in the river to cool off, but after feeling the water temperature, I thought it was a rather insane idea. Then the last stretch was an obstacle course which I stressed about with my right calf muscle heading for a serious pull, and my left knee as the point where I can no longer bend it, the adrenalin and thought of the finish line was pumping through my veins and I was over the obstacle course, faster than spider man. Finishing the race was the best part of the entire race as it was the first time I could stop and take a deep breath!!
The race was well organized with perfect OP and CP placing, and an absolute breathtaking venue. The staff were friendly and the crowd is just amazing…even though people mocked me hopping along…there is always a next time J So despite me being sick and my two injuries along the way, my team did sensationally well and I would do it again in a heart beat…So Cyndi, you have yourself an Adventure Racer tan, a pulled calf muscle, water on the knee, lost over 2000 calories, multiple cuts and bruises – but you are now an Endurance Racer!!!
Now that I know what the race holds out and what is expected of a racer, I have to say – watch out…Im coming to take my spot on Podium sometime in the near future!!
For now, im hopping along allowing my body to recover…will upload photos the minute I get them. Closing of to say well done to Team Lava and all the other Racing Teams, and to the Organizers for a spectacular event!!
For now, im hopping along allowing my body to recover…will upload photos the minute I get them. Closing of to say well done to Team Lava and all the other Racing Teams, and to the Organizers for a spectacular event!!
