I got my first taste of adventure racing as the culmination of 2 weeks of staff training at an adventure camp two summer’s ago. The event had all the requisite components, including the somewhat sadistic organizer that designed the event to exhaust, trick, and annoy its contestants. It didn’t have the sponsors, race packets, or numbered bibs you’ll find at the big races, but it was fantastic. Over 12 hours of paddling, biking, climbing, swimming, and running all linked with skills oriented stations to make sure we had some brains and not just brawn. I was hooked. Unfortunately, a summer spent as an adventure camp counselor does not leave many free weekends for further exploring my adventure race interests. The following summer I was living in Durham and working in Raleigh with Great Outdoor Provision Co. I did some searching for a race that would fit my schedule, but alas the only races that fell on the right weekends were out west. Another summer without a race…
This year, I made it a point to check out race possibilities as soon as the spring semester was behind me. I was happy to find a number of races in the Southeast that fit all my criteria. The sport’s growing popularity is bringing new events all over the country. Resisting my tendency to overextend myself and sign up for all of them, I chose the Geico Ocmulgee Adventure Race (GOAR) in Macon, GA as my first real race. It’s a sprint length race (6 hours) and incorporated running, biking, paddling, and swimming. After two summers of waiting, I’d finally get a crack at a real event on July 28th. Well, the months of strict training faded away amidst a haze of work, travel, and summertime play. After a seven-hour drive, we were in Macon and the race was upon us. And I was feeling a bit nervous…
Did I have the right gear? Would we be able to finish? Can I even find the race headquaters?? Fortunately, with the help of my teammate, the race went off without a hitch. In fact, it was over before I knew it. My memories were a blur (induced by dehydration, not by speed) of running, riding, paddling, swimming, and suffering. Sure, I was wiped out and collapsed with a water bottle in the fetal position for a while after the finish line. But we had done it. And after about a fifteen minute grace period, the smiles of fellow competitors shined through their drawn and exhausted faces. Tales of race bloopers were swapped, backs were patted, and a sense of accomplishment filled the room. This is why organized competition is so fantastic. No matter how fierce the competition, the reality is that all contestants battled the same obstacles to get where they are now. And that feeling is worth any seven-hour drive.
Come and check out Great Outdoor Provision Co.’s selection of gear perfect for your next (or first) adventure race. Apparel, hydration packs, footwear, first aid… We’ve got it all. Pack lighter. Train smarter. Sign up for a race. Then maybe you’ll get hooked.
Daniel Grillo, Marketing Intern