Hello !
Are you familiar with Adventure Racing? Last weekend I completed my first “official” 24 hour adventure race. This email is a recap of what it was and what I learned. At the bottom are links to what’s next – including options to join me for a Spartan Obstacle Course Race this weekend in Colorado and a Total Immersion Swim Clinic June 22 & 23 in San Jose!
Please note that next week is our official ALL IN AMAZON One year Anniversary. If you have bought the book already via Amazon and have not yet left a review, PLEASE do! Here is the AMAZON LINK. ALSO – ALL IN Is now available on Audible! Yea!
Teton Ogre Adventure Race >> Epiclogue
WHAT: The 24 Hour, Teton Ogre Adventure Race.
Adventure Racing is a FUN, challenging sport that is essentially a giant scavenger hunt, locating course checkpoints by hiking, running, rafting and biking, and locating your checkpoints by using map and compass and altimeter.
Here is the outline:
WHY?
- A 24 Hour Challenge to explore my personal limits
- Shared experience with Friends
- Explore New Terrain near Palisades
- Idaho Experience Packrafting
- Hone Mountain Biking Skills
- Push my limits in endurance
HOW?
- Trekking / On Foot, Navigation using map, compass and altimeter
- PackRafting
- Mountain Biking
- Mandatory Gear, Optional Gear (A 76 Item Checklist)
- Hydration and Fuel Plan
- Clothing Selection
- Lighting – Night Travel
- Staying together
Our team goal was to have fun and keep moving for 24 hours. We were not going to run because of the instability of Marshalls ankle. “Winning” was not part of our vocabulary.
WHO:
- Marshall, Kelly and I
- Marshall – an experienced mountain man and mountain biker. One ongoing concern was about Marshall’s ankle, and if it would hold up enough to sustain the rigorous mountain navigation.
- Kelly – a seasoned adventure racer with navigation skills. It was the first time meeting Kelly.
- Tim – I was feeling mostly confident, although the month of May was extremely with Grand Dynamics work, causing some uncertainty around fitness.
TETON OGRE
(Check out the event video overview and GPS tracking link)
Check out this adventure race here > It happens once a year,
first weekend in June with 9 hour and 24 hour options:
ENVIRONMENT
Weather, terrain analysis, loose rock, cliffs, water temperatures, elevation gain and loss, light / dark, and reentrants, in relation to navigation choices and course clues.
RISK
Loose Rocks, Mountain Biking Obstacles, River PackRafting, Team member concerns (ankle injuries)
DECISIONS
Overall Course Navigation, Micro-Terrain Selection (E: which way to go through a bush wack) Fueling (Hydration and food), Exertion Levels > Fat, Mixed Fuel or Sugar Burning.
Our main goal was to keep moving for 24 hours straight. There would be many decisions to NOT STOP over these 24 hours.
THE RESULT?
- We travelled 66.76 miles with 9,843 feet of elevation gain.
- We kept moving on course for 24 hours.
- We finished the race in 23 hours, 37 minutes.
Review the course tracking data, and video overview here:
https://live.enabledtracking.com/ogre2024/
- We claimed 2nd place in our division (3-4 person open), had the winning team arrived to the finish line two minutes later, we would have taken first place. We finished 8th place overall.
- I pushed my limits. My biggest challenges were mountain biking up very steep, technical terrain for thousands of feet in the dark. I embraced it and got way into the grind of it all. My overall endurance and energy was plentiful.
- Kelly did an excellent jb navigating and Marshall pushed through some difficult stomach issues and did what he does best and keep on going strong! He crushed the final leg, leading the charge on the difficult final biking headwind to the finish line.
EPICLOGUE: Highlights of (a few) Lessons Learned
ROLES
The right skills, and roles, make a BIG difference. Kelly was the chief navigator and did an excellent job of reading the map, elevation and directing us toward checkpoints.
GEAR
Double check battery / chargeable items: I forgot to charge my bike light – and I could hardly see on the course
NUTRITION: Eat Consciously
Have a plan for your supplements, hydration and eating. Just because you are hungry and food is available, does not mean you should eat it. However, it is critical to stay aware of your body rhythm to get ahead of bonking.
Necessity is a Mother of Invention
The pump I had rented for the PackRaft did NOT work >>> Other teams pumped up their boats (with a different style nozzle) and off they went… we sat there being swarmed by mosquitos, attempting several techniques…until one worked. The technique required sealing the valve with my mouth, then pressing down with my tongue quite firmly to release the air nozzle (while maintaining the seal) and breathing the air into the raft… a very awkward blow up technique, which worked “enough.”
DECISIONS
Make the best decisions at the time you are making them, learn from them and don’t obsess about making bad ones. Using the ALL IN Adventure Method helps to make great decisions. ASK AND ANSWER: What, Why, How, Who, Environment, Risk, Decisions.
GO ALL IN >> Choose your next adventure, embrace the challenge, enjoy the process and learn from it.
WHAT’S NEXT?
- Spartan Beast Obstacle Race Colorado Springs >> I will be traveling with Damir, who is currently in position for #1 in his category overall for the year! Races are next weekend, June 15 & 16, with various lengths: EVENT LINK
- TOTAL IMMERSION SWIM CLINIC June 22-23 >> I am heading back with my Father for a two day swim clinic with Coach Stuart. There are still a few spots available if you want to join me. This style of swimming is a game changer! EFFORTLESS ENDURANCE SWIMMING
Here’s to a successful next week… get outside and GO ALL IN!!!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO Jason and Abby (Below) Teton Ogre Course Directors.
ARNO ILGNER
ASHLEY CHAPMAN