RACE DAY

At 6:00 am we drove from our campsite and headed to the race transition area.  The transition area is the central location where you switch gear between events.  We were granted 75 minutes to access the transition area and set up our bikes.  Unlike last time, I came prepared!

I brought a styrofoam ice chest to keep all of my transition drinks and food nice and cool.  Nothing is less refreshing than a melted energy bar chased by a warm glass of water!  After setting up our grear, we were instructed to select 2 kayaks and carry them behind the START sign and await the start cannon.

Where Do We Hide The Beers?

No One Said Anything About Swimming!!!

Whatever You Do, Don't Take The One With A Leaky Bottom...

If We Get Separated, Look For The Blue Men In The Yellow Submarine...

Let The Games Begin!

Do I Look Fat In This?

We were given the first special test the day before Race Day.  The instructions were to designate two (2) teammates to start with two (2) kayaks, three (3) paddles and two (2) lifejackets.  At the designated wave start those two (2) teammates were instructed to proceed to the water and paddle to the buoy line marked with orange buoys.  The buoy line was located about 100 yards from the shoreline.  Here we were to wait until our third teammate joined us after the second cannon blast for the wave.  The third teammate was instructed to have his/her lifejacket on before swimming to the boats.   All three (3) teammates had to be in the boats before leaving the buoy line or they would be asked to come back to the buoy line and start over.  Once on the Kayak course, we were told to keep the buoys on our left.

Since we got the instructions the night before, we strategized about the best tactics for this first test.  Marissa volunteered to be the swimmer given she was the best among us.  Jim and I would kayak individually out to the buoys and we would wait at the second buoy from the left so that she would have a marker to locate.  In addition, Jim would make an "X" with his oars so she'd have an additional beacon.  Finally, we also decided not to take the risk of not being allowed back into the transition area before the trail run so I was to carry Marissa's shoes and socks in my kayak. 

On Race Day, everything worked out as planned and we were one of the first co-ed teams to complete the Special Test.  Marissa was a strong swimmer and despite the fact that some other groups near the second buoy came up with an "X" beacon as well, Marissa found Jim and we were off!  Incidentally, the best beacons of the day were helium balloons!  Several teams used balloons so their swimmers could easily see them among the sea of kayaks!

Doesn't That Bottom Kayak Look Dubious? Probably Nothing...

Do You Hear Chariots of Fire?

Bumper Kayaks Anyone?

Last One In's A Rotten Egg...

KAYAK: 1.5 Miles

Once we got Marissa into Jim's kayak we initiated our kayak strategy.   As a reminder, ordinarily, you are given two (2) kayaks between three (3) people.  Generally, the strongest paddler takes a single kayak for himself/herself.   The remaining kayak contains the best stroker (sits up front) and best steerer (sits in rear).  After all the problems I've had as a steerer in a two-person kayak, we determined that it would be best if I was in the lone kayak.

We started well.  Jim and Marissa did an admirable job of keeping their kayak straight and I was doing fine pulling up the rear.  We kept this up for about 0.5 miles until I noticed more and more separation between my team and myself.   I was also noticing that my lower extremities were getting dubiously cooler as time went on.  Just in case you were wondering, there was a perfectly good explanation for what was happening...I was sinking!  Slowly but surely my kayak was filling with water until I was almost waist high in water.  It was at a slow pace but I was worried that I would have to swim and drag the kayak at some point.  I was cursing myself for not checking the kayak more carefully and getting off to a rotten start.   But, instead of sulking, I decided to sit at the farthest rear section of the kayak and paddle away (think paddling in a bath tub).  I also scooped as much water out of the kayak as I could intermittently.

Amazingly I got to shore and met up with my team.  We probably lost a good 20 minutes but c'est la vie!  Besides, it could have been worse - I could have been swimming 1.5 miles with my running gear and a kayak in tow!  FYI, Lauren (who volunteered to help at the event) later told me that the organizers specifically inflated only the sides of the kayaks and not the bottoms.  I guess that made it even more challenging!  I know I could have used the extra air!

SPECIAL TEST B: Balance Bar Cube

After dumping the inflated pigs (aka kayaks), we jogged to our second special test.  Here we were given essentially a Rubix Cube and told to solve it.   Now, this cube contained four (4) Balance Bar logos and we told to arrange the cube so that all four logos were on one side.  We could not disassemble the cube, we could not peel off stickers and restick them on.  We were told that all team members had to rotate at least one Balance Bar logo square into place. 

We managed to get all the logos in place in short order but the proctor told us to start over.  He claimed we didn't take separate turns placing the logos on one side.  While Jim was cursing him, we managed to solve the puzzle again in less than a minute!  I guess playing with Rubix cubes during the 70s and 80s really does pay off eventually!  Once we finished, we continued into the transition area and onto the Trail Run.

TRAIL RUN: 5 miles

Luckily for a lot of teams, we reentered the transition area.    If we weren't, there would have been a lot of upset barefooted swimmers having a fine time on the 5 mile trail run.  We ran along the beach and into the hills.  The trail was relatively flat and sandy and we had to wade through a few creeks and muddy beaches. 

After about 2 miles, we encountered another Special Test which we had to complete before finishing the rest of the trail run.

SPECIAL TEST C: Orienteering

Halfway through the trail run we reached our Special Test C: Orienteering.  We were given a handout which instructed us to locate 3 playing cards on a map.  Each team was given a randomnly selected course so that there would be no point in following another team.  Our team had to locate red suited (diamond or hearts) 2, 3 and 4.  We had to stay together during the special test and once we completed the orienteering we returned to the check-in table to get our course verified.   Then we headed off to complete the second half of the trail run.

SPECIAL TEST D: Balance Beam Kiosk

After the trail run, we encountered our next Special Test.  As we were running up to this test, Coach Terry yelled out a great hint: "Find another team and work together!."  At this test, we were instructed to get across the balance beam structure without touching the ground.  Touching the ground would result in the team starting over from the beginning.  One interesting wrinkle...the last person on the structure had to be the first person off the structure.

Lauren took some great photos of the elite teams and their techniques.   As you can see below, one team opted for the "crawl", one team the "hug" and then there was us demonstrating the best method!  We worked with another Team In Training team - just another example of the power of great team work!   Incidentially, the team utilizing the crawl had to do it over because one of their teammates fell off the bar.

Some Teams Take Their Bonding To A New Level...

See How The Pros Do It!

SPECIAL TEST E: FORD Mud Pit

Next came the obligatory Mud Pit!  Here we were instructed to crawl on our bellies in a counterclockwise motion around a Ford truck.  We were told to be in physical contact with our teammates at all times.  Losing contact with our team would cause our team to have to start over from the beginning.  This was a pretty easy special test.  We locked hands and crawled around the vehicle through the mud.   The only downside was the elbow rash I got from rubbing against the rocks in the mud.  Aside from that, I was none the worse for wear.

Are You Sure Your Car Keys Are Down Here?

Some People Pay Good Money For This...

MOUNTAIN BIKE: 10 miles

After getting muddied, we headed for the hills.  We had to run up a few steep hills but overall the trail had few climbs and consisted mostly of single track.   There were some sandy portions but nothing we couldn't handle.  Individually, I had to contend with a few complications.  The first was my new clipless pedals.   Don't ask me why, but I decided to use this race as an occassion for me to break in my new "egg beater" pedals.  Aside from tipping over once, I didn't encounter any problems with them.

The big complication was my gear.  The night before, we had determined that my front gear was essentially warped.  In order to prevent a lock-up of my chain, I had little choice but to cycle in my lowest gear (1) the entire time.   Luckily, this course didn't require high speed so it wasn't a big deal.  But before the next race, I'm going to have my entire front gear rebuilt.

SPECIAL TEST F: McDevitt's Adventure II

An ex-military guy must have designed this test.  One person at a time, our team was instructed to make our way up the Ranger Wall and slide across to the Cargo Nets.  Teammates could assist each other going up the Ranger Wall, but could only spot on the traverse going to the Cargo Nets.  Teams could only come in contact with ONE board when making the traverse from the Ranger Wall to the Cargo Nets or they'd have to start over.  Once a teammate reached the Cargo Nets, another teammate could proceed up the Ranger Wall and across to the nets.  Once we started up the First Ranger Wall, we could not touch the ground until exiting the structure or we'd have to start over.

We completed this special test in no time.  Jim went first, then Marissa, then me.  The only "trick" in the test was to "roll" through the cargo net.  This proved to be a lot faster than trying to crawl or walk along the netting.

What Your Neighbors Do To Your Home Before You Move In:

Posing For A Kodak Moment At The Ranger Wall

If You Fall, You Don't Start Over - You Go To The Hospital!

Good Thing We're Not Ally McBeal - We'd Drop Right Through...

SPECIAL TEST G: The Wall

Here, like in all adventure races, we had to get our entire team over the Wall.  To refresh your memory, the Wall is a 12 foot nightmare that every team has to scale using only each other and some rope.  We were permitted to use the rope only after we had gotten one member of our team up and over the Wall.  We could not tie off, loop, or wrap the rope around the structure in any way shape or form.  After helping others get over the Wall, we looked around for help and found none.  So we sent Marissa up first, then Jim, then me.  Luckily we were all able to make it up without any assistance!

Ladies First...

Age Before Beauty...

THE FINISH

After 3:23:26 of adventure racing, Team TNT DYNAMITE #95 crossed the finish line! We finished 61 out of 97 in our co-ed category.