TrailBlazers Adventure Racing Club - RDU Chapter

Don C Organizer of TrailBlazers Adventure Racing Club - RDU Chapter

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Member of this
Meetup Group since

November 4, 2006

Organizer of this Meetup Group since

November 4, 2006

Introduction

Hi! I started adventure racing in 2003, after thinking about it for years. I dabbled in many of the individual activities over the years, but never had a chance to put them all together until I tried AR. If I had known how much fun it was, .... !!!

Have you ever reached a point in an adventure (race or not) where getting dirtier/wetter didn't matter any more? Did that feel like despair or freedom?

Absolutely! If you haven't experienced this before, I highly recommend that you take a few steps closer to what you think are the boundaries of your life. You might surprise yourself by what you learn about your capabilities and values.

Have you ever mountain biked on a trail at night?

I love to do this! It's almost like a completely different experience. The world shrinks to just what your light illuminates, which removes the sensory overload you have with day riding. Seeing less reduces over-anticipation of the trickier spots.

Have you learned how to use a compass and map to navigate?

Yes, I started that years ago in Scouts and continue to sharpen my skills with a compass, but often find myself navigating by topo more than by compass. I'd like to work on pacing skills, and other more advanced techniques.

Have you participated in an adventure race before? What is interesting to you about AR?

Several, ranging from 4 hours to 81 hours. They're addictive! I love the team aspect, and the mental challenges. Plus I enjoy all of the disciplines.

What's your strongest AR discipline - biking, paddling, trekking, ropes, navigation? Your weakest?

Navigation is my strongest, mainly because I need even more work on all the others! Swimming would be my weakest, if it were a choice (did anyone see me get towed in the '05 9-1-1 swim?). It's a toss-up between between the rest for my weakest.