My first adventure race: All business!

After being support crew for Nelson's races last summer, this was our summer to switch roles.  His team, Kootenay Kaos, won another complementary entry into the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR) in Cumberland and decided to turn it over to their partners to enjoy.  Only two of us were able to go but we were lucky enough to recruit two more like-minded gals - in for the pure fun of it!  Our "training" consisted almost entirely of scouring thrift stores to perfect our costumes.  We decided to go as the opposite of all the things Nelson's team had represented.

This excerpt is from our Business Communiqué:  "It has come to our attention, given previous participation in MOMAR of our partners and friends on team Kootenay Kaos, that there is a perception of Kootenay residents as “yahoos”, as one racer politely put it.  Well, we are here to establish that not all Kootenay-ites are mullet-haired, red spandex-clad, gold wing-ed, fanny pack-wearing, trucker-hatted hooligans. We are Kootenay Anti-Kaos: professional, organized, and mature."

My support crew

The race began with a 5km kayak in Comox Lake.

Just a minute - I need to take this call.

We got out of the kayaks and began a 10km trek that started on the beach then quickly headed up into the mountains.

Note the briefcase packpacks

I was the navigator.  Or, as my business cards stated: Lyndiana Jones, Vice President, Strategic Direction

I'd always wondered why people did races rather than just recreating in the wilderness on their own.  Now I know - the transition areas full of yummy food!  I was pretty excited to be eating grapes four hours into a race.

We were all really happy to be on our bikes for the final 15km leg of the race.

After climbing to the top, the sweet singletrack back down the mountain was pure heaven.

The finish line! Would you believe I was so focused that I didn't notice my teammate's partner spraying champagne on us?!  Good thing he didn't mess up our hair.