Next weekend all three SA teams going across to Abu Dhabi are getting together. Yes, there will be us (Lisa, Steven and Lizelle V - Lizelle S is away for the weekend), Cyanosis (Nic, Clinton, Brian and Landie - one of them will be away, I think) and Mzansi (Alex, Alan, Jane - Tim is away).
We're having a braai at Clinton's place after the Kinetic Adventure Sprint. It's going to be super to see everyone together pre-race - we're going to have a super time out there.
And just how wonderful is it to have THREE South African teams going over. Brilliant!
Showing posts with label ADAC2010: Pre-race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ADAC2010: Pre-race. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Don't snack, just pack
 |
| Munchie bags labelled for each day - some have more stuff depending on the stage and there is a bit of variety here and there, especially with bars. |
I do like to keep my race food as a treat so some of the things are not goodies that I normall munch on, like cornnuts, Laughing Cow and salted and roasted nuts. I tend not to snack while packing race munchies but, as Fred says, "There's always that last bit of something left over from the re-pack".
I did manage to complete my pack having eaten only a Tuc cracker, a few cornnuts (to check for freshness, of course) and to try a cracker from the new flavour of Bacon Kips - not bacon. They're nice, salty race snacks that I don't touch outside of races.
This morning I went to my local butcher, who always vacuum packs that special Souff African treat for me... It starts with a 'b' and ends with a 'g'. I've taken it to most races around the world... shhh... don't say a word... ;)
Lizelle x 2 and Steven have been briefed on how to prep their race food, which they'll do over the next two weeks.
Yes, can you believe it! Tomorrow, two weeks, we'll be heading off to the airport. Now I'm really starting to get excited ;)
Lisa
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Team shuffle: 'other' Lizelle comes on board
We've had a team shuffle. After Triple Challenge, when Adri's other knee - not the one that had given trouble a few months ago - played up, we were concerned. She went to a physio on Monday and to her biokineticist on Wednesday.
Bottomline is that there is an underlying problem and the likelyhood of a knee injury flaring up early on at ADAC is too much of a risk. Adri is understandably disappointed that she won't be racing with us but, on the bright side, she'll be able to recover and strengthen without the pressure of this multiday, high-intensity race looming on the near horizon.
Adri has so blossomed over the past few months, improving in fitness and gaining valuable paddling skills and confidence. This will stand her in very good stead going into the many exciting races on our local calendar next year. She's a pleasure to race with and I have little doubt that she'll have more competitive racing next year.
Lizelle v/d Merwe has been on the sidelines since the team was selected at the beginning of September. She has kept up her paddling and other training, ready to step in, if needed. She'll join us in Abu Dhabi.
We got together for a paddle session tonight and it went well - an absolutely beautiful evening on the dam too. Steven swung past to say hi. Lizelle S is currently writing exams; we'll see her on Sunday when we all get together for a session.
We'll all be scattered over after this weekend; Steven is away next weekend and Lizelle S is away the following weekend. And then it will be the weekend before we leave!
And yes, I realise the name thing... Lisa, Lizelle, Lizelle... Ja, some peeps gonna be getting confused! We've raced together twice now in this combination at the Kinetic Adventure sprint races. Hahaha.
Bottomline is that there is an underlying problem and the likelyhood of a knee injury flaring up early on at ADAC is too much of a risk. Adri is understandably disappointed that she won't be racing with us but, on the bright side, she'll be able to recover and strengthen without the pressure of this multiday, high-intensity race looming on the near horizon.
Adri has so blossomed over the past few months, improving in fitness and gaining valuable paddling skills and confidence. This will stand her in very good stead going into the many exciting races on our local calendar next year. She's a pleasure to race with and I have little doubt that she'll have more competitive racing next year.
Lizelle v/d Merwe has been on the sidelines since the team was selected at the beginning of September. She has kept up her paddling and other training, ready to step in, if needed. She'll join us in Abu Dhabi.
 |
| Lisa, Lizelle v/d M, Steven |
We got together for a paddle session tonight and it went well - an absolutely beautiful evening on the dam too. Steven swung past to say hi. Lizelle S is currently writing exams; we'll see her on Sunday when we all get together for a session.
We'll all be scattered over after this weekend; Steven is away next weekend and Lizelle S is away the following weekend. And then it will be the weekend before we leave!
And yes, I realise the name thing... Lisa, Lizelle, Lizelle... Ja, some peeps gonna be getting confused! We've raced together twice now in this combination at the Kinetic Adventure sprint races. Hahaha.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Triple Challenge all-day racing
The four of us (Lisa, Lizelle S., Adri and Steven) headed down to KZN this weekend for Max Cluer's Triple Challenge event. I've known of it for years but this would be my first entry. Max kindly sponsored two pairs entries in support of our team's preparations for Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge - we leave in four weeks!
Lisa
Adri and I teamed up for Triple Challenge and this was the first time that were racing together. We made a good match.
Brad and Andrew were our trusty support crew. Brad lives in Maritzburg and is a long-time friend; Andrew is Steven's twin brother. After the start, Brad dropped our bikes at the first transition; Andrew shot ahead to drop off the second K2 (Steven and I dropped the first on Saturday afternoon).
With about 3km to go, Adri's knee started playing up and needed regular stretching. She has been doing rehab for many weeks. She's running really well so this is quite an issue. She'll be at the bio on Wednesday - he'll check it out. Tough situation with four weeks to go.
After a few stretches at intervals, we ran strong into the transition where Brad was waiting with my friend Fred. Adri and I got our bike stuff together and we were off - to be stopped at the nearby railway crossing. I quite enjoyed seeing the train and its load of containers.
The bike route also seems to stay near the Comrades route and we rode a number of sections on the tar road. The single track sections, especially in the second half of the ride, were my favourite. And there was even a hike-a-bike section! It felt just like an adventure race. The route has a number of climbs, but nothing too long or terrible. A good balance overall.
We got to the paddle transition about 1h05 behind Steven and Lizelle (they took 30 mins out of us on the run; and another 30mins on the bike). I was quite looking forward to the paddle but we had been warned that the later we get there the more the wind will be blowing and the more trying the conditions.
George kindly lent us his 'love boat', a K2 Accord decorated with hearts. George and his wife, Penny, did Dusi together this year. Adri and I hopped in, with me driving, and off we went, heading for the dam wall.
We'd been told to head for the wall for the take out for the first portage and then the gazebo, which we could see, would be the put-in. Turns out the gazebo was take-out and put-in; a little 10m portage. So, we did a bit extra distance and time - no worry.
At the gazebo I got out of the boat and my upper thighs cramped - for the first time ever! Arrggghhh... not nice. The steering pedals had been a bit too far away (with boat on land when I got in, rudder was up so pedals were forward - once inside the pedals went back, away from me) so I had to stretch my legs to reach them. This must have been what did it. I had to stand for a while. A kind guy offered me some ice - he'd seen this happen to a number of people that day!
We walked around the banner and got back into the boat, after I'd adjusted the seat one notch forward. Perfect!
We set off to the far take-out, which we didn't know how to find. The checkpoint people pointed us in the right direction and off we went. I remembered what it should look like from a Google Earth image but when your eyes are almost water-level, it isn't very easy to recognise land features.
The safety boats weren't around us at all but then finally a boat came near and we asked where to go - he pointed ahead. Nearing the take-out we saw another boat and the guy told us to paddle between the buoys "over there". We couldn't see a thing! The buoys were navy blue on dark, turbulent water.
On this, I must say that Adri and I rocked. From the start of the paddle we had rough waves, which crashed on to our deck a number of times. We also paddled with waves side on and we didn't even wobble once - it was awesome! I love paddling into the wind and into the waves, so I got a lot of that too.
Approaching land we spotted another double and two singles on the beach, which was useful to show us where to get out. This was the second portage (a real one) - up and over a spur to the put-in on the other side. It went well and remains my only physical after-effect of the race (sore/bruised shoulder bones from carrying the boat).
We put-in at the same time as another girl pair. They tipped a bit at the put-in, just as we were moving off. The children swimming got a good laugh from that.
Protected from the wind the first part around the spur was pretty flat - and then we hit the action. I loved it!
And then we were at the end, welcomed by Brad, Andrew, Fred, Steven, Lizelle and George. Max, on microphone, welcomed us in. Adri and I were at the back (not very back, but back) of the field. We completed the route in 09h30.
Then back to Maritzburg to shower and then drive the 600-odd km back to Jo'burg. A long, long day.
I thoroughly enjoyed this event and I've definitely do it again. The route is pleasant, the markings were good and it makes for a super day out. Only improvement would be some buoys (not navy blue! orange, white, red, yellow would be better) on the paddle and bright feather banners at the second portage take-out. I guess, as an adventure racer, that I'm not very good at following pointing fingers - I like knowing where I'm going.
Very big thanks for Max Cluer, who sponsored our entries to his race in support of our preparations for Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Thanks to George for the use of his 'love boat' and two splashies. Fred, super to see you in person - thank you for cheering for us. And bit thanks to Brad and Andrew for taking such good care of us and our bikes and stuff on this long day out. And Adri, I thoroughly enjoyed our day together - it was a pleasure to do this race with you.
Lizelle S.
In my preperation for the event this weekend, all I kept saying to myself was that "this is exactly like a triathlon". I was completely WRONG!!! This was ten times more exciting, more breath-taking and more challenging that any triathlon I have ever done.
My awesome team mate, Steven, and I decided to go HARD from the start. Unfortunately, my 20km run was did not go exactly as I planned - let's just say I made a
few extra runs to the bushes, which did not help at all. After our 20km run I felt so sick. Steven gave me alot of encouraging words and on the biking leg I felt as if I was back in the game.
I have no idea where we rode but I definitely know it was the most hilliest climbs ever, which I soooo loved. The down hills were by far my weakest point kept on thinking, "I cannot get injured now, Abu Dhabi is around the corner", so that made me perhaps too cautious. However, we still had an amazing ride, at that stage we were first in our category (mixed pairs), without knowing it.
The paddling leg was a lot more challenging than we expected, especially, the over-the-hill portage leg. All my shoulders can say is OUCHY!
As we eventually reached the end, a mixed team came sprinting past us. We were at such a chilled stage that we thought "Ah, well let them get whatever place", which it turned out was first place! BIG MISTAKE from our part, but at least we still had great fun.
I can honestly say that it was a smart option to do my first Triple Challenge with a team mate, as without one I might have, dare I say, WITHRAWN from the race, especially since I felt like hell at the start. Having someone with you makes you so much more driven to succeed. When I am all grown-up one day, I would love to give the individual race a go - one of my new goals.
 |
| Lizelle, Steven, Lisa and Adri |
Adri and I teamed up for Triple Challenge and this was the first time that were racing together. We made a good match.
 |
| Lisa and Adri |
We started running at 05h30 from Maritzburg and the course seemed to never stray too far from the Comrades route (same with the bike - until we dropped into the valley leading to Inanda Dam). Adri and I took the run nice and easy, paying heed to advice from friends. The run is a nice one along jeep track and single trail. I really enjoy the vegetation in KZN - very fresh, lush and green, which is such a contrast to the highveld, even in summer!
 |
| A pretty tree-lined avenue |
 |
| Adri running down a trail towards one of the five waterpoints |
The bike route also seems to stay near the Comrades route and we rode a number of sections on the tar road. The single track sections, especially in the second half of the ride, were my favourite. And there was even a hike-a-bike section! It felt just like an adventure race. The route has a number of climbs, but nothing too long or terrible. A good balance overall.
We got to the paddle transition about 1h05 behind Steven and Lizelle (they took 30 mins out of us on the run; and another 30mins on the bike). I was quite looking forward to the paddle but we had been warned that the later we get there the more the wind will be blowing and the more trying the conditions.
George kindly lent us his 'love boat', a K2 Accord decorated with hearts. George and his wife, Penny, did Dusi together this year. Adri and I hopped in, with me driving, and off we went, heading for the dam wall.
We'd been told to head for the wall for the take out for the first portage and then the gazebo, which we could see, would be the put-in. Turns out the gazebo was take-out and put-in; a little 10m portage. So, we did a bit extra distance and time - no worry.
At the gazebo I got out of the boat and my upper thighs cramped - for the first time ever! Arrggghhh... not nice. The steering pedals had been a bit too far away (with boat on land when I got in, rudder was up so pedals were forward - once inside the pedals went back, away from me) so I had to stretch my legs to reach them. This must have been what did it. I had to stand for a while. A kind guy offered me some ice - he'd seen this happen to a number of people that day!
We walked around the banner and got back into the boat, after I'd adjusted the seat one notch forward. Perfect!
We set off to the far take-out, which we didn't know how to find. The checkpoint people pointed us in the right direction and off we went. I remembered what it should look like from a Google Earth image but when your eyes are almost water-level, it isn't very easy to recognise land features.
The safety boats weren't around us at all but then finally a boat came near and we asked where to go - he pointed ahead. Nearing the take-out we saw another boat and the guy told us to paddle between the buoys "over there". We couldn't see a thing! The buoys were navy blue on dark, turbulent water.
On this, I must say that Adri and I rocked. From the start of the paddle we had rough waves, which crashed on to our deck a number of times. We also paddled with waves side on and we didn't even wobble once - it was awesome! I love paddling into the wind and into the waves, so I got a lot of that too.
Approaching land we spotted another double and two singles on the beach, which was useful to show us where to get out. This was the second portage (a real one) - up and over a spur to the put-in on the other side. It went well and remains my only physical after-effect of the race (sore/bruised shoulder bones from carrying the boat).
We put-in at the same time as another girl pair. They tipped a bit at the put-in, just as we were moving off. The children swimming got a good laugh from that.
Protected from the wind the first part around the spur was pretty flat - and then we hit the action. I loved it!
And then we were at the end, welcomed by Brad, Andrew, Fred, Steven, Lizelle and George. Max, on microphone, welcomed us in. Adri and I were at the back (not very back, but back) of the field. We completed the route in 09h30.
Then back to Maritzburg to shower and then drive the 600-odd km back to Jo'burg. A long, long day.
I thoroughly enjoyed this event and I've definitely do it again. The route is pleasant, the markings were good and it makes for a super day out. Only improvement would be some buoys (not navy blue! orange, white, red, yellow would be better) on the paddle and bright feather banners at the second portage take-out. I guess, as an adventure racer, that I'm not very good at following pointing fingers - I like knowing where I'm going.
Very big thanks for Max Cluer, who sponsored our entries to his race in support of our preparations for Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Thanks to George for the use of his 'love boat' and two splashies. Fred, super to see you in person - thank you for cheering for us. And bit thanks to Brad and Andrew for taking such good care of us and our bikes and stuff on this long day out. And Adri, I thoroughly enjoyed our day together - it was a pleasure to do this race with you.
Lizelle S.
In my preperation for the event this weekend, all I kept saying to myself was that "this is exactly like a triathlon". I was completely WRONG!!! This was ten times more exciting, more breath-taking and more challenging that any triathlon I have ever done.
My awesome team mate, Steven, and I decided to go HARD from the start. Unfortunately, my 20km run was did not go exactly as I planned - let's just say I made a
few extra runs to the bushes, which did not help at all. After our 20km run I felt so sick. Steven gave me alot of encouraging words and on the biking leg I felt as if I was back in the game.
I have no idea where we rode but I definitely know it was the most hilliest climbs ever, which I soooo loved. The down hills were by far my weakest point kept on thinking, "I cannot get injured now, Abu Dhabi is around the corner", so that made me perhaps too cautious. However, we still had an amazing ride, at that stage we were first in our category (mixed pairs), without knowing it.
The paddling leg was a lot more challenging than we expected, especially, the over-the-hill portage leg. All my shoulders can say is OUCHY!
As we eventually reached the end, a mixed team came sprinting past us. We were at such a chilled stage that we thought "Ah, well let them get whatever place", which it turned out was first place! BIG MISTAKE from our part, but at least we still had great fun.
I can honestly say that it was a smart option to do my first Triple Challenge with a team mate, as without one I might have, dare I say, WITHRAWN from the race, especially since I felt like hell at the start. Having someone with you makes you so much more driven to succeed. When I am all grown-up one day, I would love to give the individual race a go - one of my new goals.
 |
| Steven in front with Lizelle coming up. Photo from Triple Challenge Facebook gallery |
Tent testing
This weekend, at Triple Challenge, we opened up tents to select the one that will be carried during the desert trekking stage. this is the only time that we physically have to carry our tents; on the paddle stage they go in the kayaks and for the rest they're transported to transitions by race organisation in our crates.
Although the tent is a bit of a squeeze, I reassured the team, "It's only for about four hours!". It's so worth carrying less for a bit of a cosy night. Sleeping top-to-tail we fit pretty well. Race rules specify that we have to sleep inside a sealed tent (incorporated ground sheet) in the desert - to keep the scorpions out!
Although the tent is a bit of a squeeze, I reassured the team, "It's only for about four hours!". It's so worth carrying less for a bit of a cosy night. Sleeping top-to-tail we fit pretty well. Race rules specify that we have to sleep inside a sealed tent (incorporated ground sheet) in the desert - to keep the scorpions out!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Triple Challenge this weekend
We're headed to KZN this weekend for Max Cluer's Triple Challenge. It's a multisport event with a 23km trail run, 50-off kilometres of mountain biking and 18km paddle on Inanda Dam. The event allows for various team formats; we're entering two pairs and we'll do all disciplines in our pairs (there are relay options too).
Lisa will be racing with Adri and Steven will race with Lizelle.
Lisa will be racing with Adri and Steven will race with Lizelle.
Super rogaine
This past weekend Steven and Lisa ran as a pair in the annual 8hr rogaine, a time-limited, point-score orienteering discipline. Adri also competed, running with her adventure racing teammate, Con. Lizelle S missed the event as she was wrapping up her final project for her studies.
Lisa's report on the rogaine is on her blog at adventurelisa.blogspot.com
Lisa's report on the rogaine is on her blog at adventurelisa.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Weekend fun
We had a whopper weekend with the Energizer Night Relay on Friday night, a 24km trail run at Suikerbosrand on Saturday morning and a 16km paddle training session on Sunday afternoon at Germiston Lake.
The links above direct you to posts on Lisa's 'Adventure Lisa' blog.
The links above direct you to posts on Lisa's 'Adventure Lisa' blog.
 |
| All dressed up for the Energizer Night Relay |
 |
| A most amazing morning at Suikerbosrand - fresh green grass and lots of eland |
Irresistible…
Media Release: Award winners and newcomers bolster record-breaking field for the 2010 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
One of the main objectives of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is to encourage the
worldwide development of the sport among competent but relatively inexperienced athletes.
Today, with newcomers from around the globe flocking to test themselves in this
internationally acclaimed event, is widely considered as an obligatory stop on the adventure racing calendar. This ability to continuously refresh the field by attracting new and eager talent to the race is due in part to the ongoing ADTA awards programme inaugurated in 2008.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority introduced the scheme to aid new, highly competitive teams wishing to pursue a racing career on the international scene. As in the past, partnerships with existing events or organisations within the AR community were established and, through a process of competition or selection, 4 teams will be awarded the race entry fee and return tickets to Abu Dhabi for each team member.
Two of the teams will be chosen via the direct competitive route and must finish as the highest ranking team in a single race or series that has yet to race outside their home territory.
Sweden has already named a squad Statkraft Adventure Team, with expert adventure-racing tactician Arvid Björkroth at the helm of a group of experienced AR athletes. In July he led his team to 4th place in the 950 km Explore Sweden Monster race and was thrilled when his team was presented with the ADTA award. In the USA, the award will be given to the first eligible team past the post in the season closer of the Checkpoint Tracker National Championships, to be run at the end of October. A strong turnout is expected and competition will be understandably fierce throughout the field as all the teams on the series compete in the grand finale where the “winner takes all”.
For her 3rd year running as an ADTA award selector, Lisa de Speville is introducing another hand-picked team of South African newcomers to the international adventure-racing scene. This year Lisa has chosen a squad of three young women and one male who are not only new to international AR but have little experience over the distance and terrain they will encounter on the ADAC.
The other team qualifying through the selection process is from Australian where the SleepMonsters website has drawn up a short list of five teams from the 16 registered for the award. The final decision will be taken during the first week of October when the jury announces the award winning team.
These four novice squads will be competing in a field of 50 teams drawn from at least 20 countries, a majority of which are competing in the race for the first time and have been lured to this universally acknowledged world-class event by its undeniable pedigree. In the words of Hadi Masron, captain of race rookies Sart Ecorace (Singapore): "Other teams on the international circuit were already saying the ADAC was fast becoming the toughest race in the world. Well who could resist that challenge?"
Live race coverage and information at http://www.abudhabi‐adventure.com/
One of the main objectives of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is to encourage the
worldwide development of the sport among competent but relatively inexperienced athletes.
Today, with newcomers from around the globe flocking to test themselves in this
internationally acclaimed event, is widely considered as an obligatory stop on the adventure racing calendar. This ability to continuously refresh the field by attracting new and eager talent to the race is due in part to the ongoing ADTA awards programme inaugurated in 2008.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority introduced the scheme to aid new, highly competitive teams wishing to pursue a racing career on the international scene. As in the past, partnerships with existing events or organisations within the AR community were established and, through a process of competition or selection, 4 teams will be awarded the race entry fee and return tickets to Abu Dhabi for each team member.
Two of the teams will be chosen via the direct competitive route and must finish as the highest ranking team in a single race or series that has yet to race outside their home territory.
Sweden has already named a squad Statkraft Adventure Team, with expert adventure-racing tactician Arvid Björkroth at the helm of a group of experienced AR athletes. In July he led his team to 4th place in the 950 km Explore Sweden Monster race and was thrilled when his team was presented with the ADTA award. In the USA, the award will be given to the first eligible team past the post in the season closer of the Checkpoint Tracker National Championships, to be run at the end of October. A strong turnout is expected and competition will be understandably fierce throughout the field as all the teams on the series compete in the grand finale where the “winner takes all”.
For her 3rd year running as an ADTA award selector, Lisa de Speville is introducing another hand-picked team of South African newcomers to the international adventure-racing scene. This year Lisa has chosen a squad of three young women and one male who are not only new to international AR but have little experience over the distance and terrain they will encounter on the ADAC.
The other team qualifying through the selection process is from Australian where the SleepMonsters website has drawn up a short list of five teams from the 16 registered for the award. The final decision will be taken during the first week of October when the jury announces the award winning team.
These four novice squads will be competing in a field of 50 teams drawn from at least 20 countries, a majority of which are competing in the race for the first time and have been lured to this universally acknowledged world-class event by its undeniable pedigree. In the words of Hadi Masron, captain of race rookies Sart Ecorace (Singapore): "Other teams on the international circuit were already saying the ADAC was fast becoming the toughest race in the world. Well who could resist that challenge?"
Live race coverage and information at http://www.abudhabi‐adventure.com/
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Lesser Spotted Lammergeyer Mountain Challenge
Keane and Adri went through to this event over the long weekend. This is Keane's report of the race.
What a weekend for racing and breaking mental and physical boundaries!
Adri and I travelled down to Aliwal North this weekend to visit some family and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Witteberg mountain range. It’s a beautiful part of our country and any adventure racer’s dream training ground with breathtaking mountain peaks, rugged trekking terrain and the Orange river for hours of paddling.
A few weeks back we decided to scout for events in the area over the same weekend and came across the Lammergeyer Mountain Challenge. It seemed like the perfect event to do the Saturday morning with the start time being 7am at the local sports club in Lady Grey.
The event was hosted by local farmers, Anna-Marie en Pieter, which promised a true and vibrant feel of the area of which it came to deliver on both. This was a totally different race to what you will find in Gauteng. Most of the competitors being local and those who were not travelled from far and wide giving the 4Peaks a skip to attend this challenge. 73 competitors, from young to old(75),from strong to first time trail runners pitched up for the event.
The Lammergeyer route is a unique route and runs through the Skyrun and Wartrail routes for the first 12km. The race starts with an easy run through the town towards the foot of the Witteberg mountain range that has pain and sweat on the menu for the day . Before the race we decided we would go out and break through some mental and physical boundaries and we definitely selected the best race to do this. I joined up with two sub 8hours comrades runners and Adri set the pace in her own group pulling and motivating other runners all the way to the end.
Hitting the foot of the mountain, our 10km-700m climb started with warmed up legs and steady heart rates. We tackled the old Lesotho paths to the highest point in the challenge at approx the 11km mark from where we descended via the third highest mountain pass in South-Africa, the Joubert Pass. Pacing ourselves down the long and painful pass we finally got to see the town. Just as we thought we were as good as done, we got the signal to make an unexpected left turn away from town up the last climb and then turn back towards the end. Looking at the time we realized we could finish this challenge in an even better time than planned so the pace was lifted and pain pushed aside. Coming round the final turn, with legs burning and lungs pumping, it was the smell of pure “boere wors” and the look of friendly faces that kept us going.
The race was well organized and one of the better races I have ever participated in. Anna-Marie and Pieter ensured that we had a clearly marked route, water point every 3km, T-Shirt, Medal and a guaranteed spot prize for every entrant. They might as well have called the race the White Indian Tiger Mountain Challenge considering that we never saw a Lammergeyer, droppings, or any form of evidence of their existence.
We arrived as total strangers and left with dozens of new friends to visit on our next trip. One thing is for sure, you need to be twice as fit for one of these local farm races to compensate for the social chatting that carries on through the entire race. Much better than running next to a Joburg boy with his ipod plugged in!
 |
| Start! Ready to run |
 |
| Keane in action |
 |
| Adri in action |
 |
| Altitude profile |
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Dinner for eight
Last night we had a lovely team braai at Adri's place. Since we normally see each other at races and for paddle sessions, it was nice to get together in a social environment.
Team www.AR.co.za and supporters: Lizelle v/d M and Wiehan (her husband) at the back; Adri, Lizelle Smit, Keane (centre), Lisa and Steven in the middle row; Charl (Lizelle S's partner) right in front.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Swazi X vs ADAC
How would the Abu Dhabi Adventure challenge (ADAC) compare to the Swazi extreme? The best way to explain this will be to break it up in smaller chunks/stages and disciplines.
There is a time in every multi-day race when your physical ability reaches the limit and you are only pushed forward by your mental ability. This is when the well-known questions fly through your head like screensavers: “Why am I doing this?”, “Is this even possible?” and “This is insane!”.
Let's start off with my most unforgettable stage at ADAC – a 87km, 10.5 hour of sea kayaking the Arabian Gulf! Maybe the fact that I did not paddle more than 12km at a time before the race made this the hardest stage in my racing career. This stage was on day three of the 2008 ADAC following a 14km and a 30km paddle on the two days prior (prologue on Day 1 and first part of the paddle stage on Day 2).
After day two (50km Mtb & 30km paddle) it felt like my shoulders were lying beside me on the island sand where we camped the night. It took me an hour of sleep, a team picnic in the tent and lots of food before I felt like I will be able to complete three times that distance the following day.
The best part of an AR is when you wake-up the following morning to a sunrise on an island to see 80 kayaks lined up on the beach, ready to break the still water. To my surprise the pain was gone, but I soon realised that I would I have to battle with my own worst enemy – my mind.
How do you keep on paddling for ten and a half hours without seeing land to measure your progress? Left, right, left, right and so it went on… And I did the maths - we used more than 28 000 strokes to get us to the finish line! It seems like my team mates were fine with this fact. I was used to progress on foot or on a mtb, so “this was totally insane” kept appearing in my mind. What can be compared to this monster paddle stage?
Probably, my longest non-stop stage in AR was the last MTB stage in the Swazi Xtreme, which we started just before sunset and finished just before sunrise – a 12 hour 87km MTB, or, as all competitors would say later, it was a hike-a-bike rather than a MTB stage. It is difficult to compare apples with onions, but if you were a non-biker attempting this last stage of Swazi you may have a feeling of what to expect in Abu Dhabi. Funny enough, I enjoyed this stage because of my mtb experience and the previous night’s sleep. So the moral of the story is – be prepared!
Beside the intensity of the stages in Abu Dhabi, I think it depend on your previous experience in each discipline. The fact that you sleep each night makes it much easier to compete the next day for 12 hours or more. The MTB in 2008 was no major challenge, but I know the introduction of a full day of mountain biking and a big sand storm changed the picture in 2009. The hiking leg was long and an even longer one can be expected, but I am sure with Swazi Experience the new Team http://www.ar.co.za/ will be able to cross that bridge.
Being out in the desert with only your team in the middle of a moonlight night is definitely the most unforgettable experience. This race was a highlight in my AR career. It created great opportunities and gave me a solid benchmark in life towards what I aim to to accomplish with the power of our Creator.
Go out, seize the opportunities in life, make the best of it and when the going gets tough, the tough race even harder.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Team AR not alone in the desert
This year, Team www.AR.co.za is one of three South African teams taking part in the 4th edition of the annual Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge (ADAC). The other two are Team Cyanosis and Hard Day's Night.
Team Cyanosis' members include: Nicholas Mulder, Clinton Mackintosh and Ryno Griesel. Their female team member is still to be confirmed.
Hard Day's Night is Alex Pope (he raced in Team www.AR.co.za in Dec 2009 at ADAC), Jane Swarbreck, Tim Deane and Alan Neate.
There's going to be a great Souff Afrikan vibe in the Emirates!
Team Cyanosis' members include: Nicholas Mulder, Clinton Mackintosh and Ryno Griesel. Their female team member is still to be confirmed.
Hard Day's Night is Alex Pope (he raced in Team www.AR.co.za in Dec 2009 at ADAC), Jane Swarbreck, Tim Deane and Alan Neate.
There's going to be a great Souff Afrikan vibe in the Emirates!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)