Newbies Once Again

Its usually the week before the race that we truly feel like Adventure Racing Newbies. We get an email about the race…and…well….we FREAK!!!!!!!!

For example this race we have in two days has so many elements that are completely new, confusing and CRAZY to us:

We are told this week to wear long socks for the race - ummm…doesn't that mean bushwhacking…I think so…ok…first time we will have ever seriously done that.

Ok next…Canoeing…We have done a few adventure races that have involved running, and biking, and maybe a little swimming, but never canoeing…hmm…I mean, are we going to flip, and when they say "navigation is key in the canoe" what do they mean?… Are we going to be able to seriously make a wrong turn in the canoe, or are we navigating between rocks and trees and possibly snapping turtles?? And the bungees, they would never have us really bungee our "stimulus 2008 check bikes" to a wobbly canoe…right??!

And then there is the biking element…the most we have ever biked in a race environment has been 12.5 miles…so 21 is kind of close to double that…YIKES it took us 2 hours and 20 minutes to bike 12.5 miles (and we were the first female finishers), is it going to take us around 4 to bike 21 miles!!! As I'm writing this I'm getting a little nervous…oh who am I kidding now? I know we are going to rock it! Right??…4 hours isn't insanely long on a bike is it…(maybe I should go out and get those padded biking shorts...)?

Next newbie item…flat tires, we are required to bring all kinds of tools to change a flat tube/tire…if that happens…I don’t know if Lisa and I will make it out as friends, I feel like changing a tire after riding 18 miles and having 3 miles left to go could be quite…frustrating!!!

Lets see…then there is the required gear of 4 bungees…nothing I can really say about that...

Also first time we will not be together for the pre-race meeting…what will I do with out my map reading partner!?

We do love new adventures, so we are excited about this one! But since so much is so new to us our confidence is a bit shaky, I'm sure after we get started we'll be ok!

Cross your FINGERS for us!