Dateline October 22, 2016
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Today I participated in the Blackbeard Adventure Race on the Outer Banks; specifically Kill Devil Hills, NC.
Let’s start with a brief explanation of the concept of adventure racing. An adventure race typically is comprised of an unmarked race course that includes, a foot race or trekking, mountain biking, and paddling; at a minimum. Some races include climbing and other more advanced skills. These races are as short as 2 hours or extend out to several days. Beginners typically start at 5 hours or less. The organizers for this race was American Adventure Sports who were raising money for a youth camp.
The Blackbeard OBX AR ran as 2 races. My race was the 5 hours race plan. The other group was in an 8 hour race plan.
Walking off some prerace jitters
The racers start to assemble for instructions.
My task was to collect as many checkpoint markers in 5 hours as I possibly could. The first leg of the race was a mandatory run on the beach. From the beach at Outer Banks Motor Trail to the Nags Head Pier was 2 miles. Our group was to run to the pier, collect a checkpoint punch and run back to the lodge and collect the next punch. The winds were in excess of 20 mph on the way down and back.
I met Bobby and Dee Riggs of Smithfield, NC. They were also new to the race
Racers off at the start
I have done some beach running at Surf City and Wrightsville Beach. I knew it would be hard. The beach at on this course rolled with small dunes. My husband said he tried to watch as I left out, but I kept vanishing behind those dunes.
The sand was soft and my brittle ankles screamed for mercy after the first mile. I tried slogging up the dunes and running down to make up time. About ¾ of the way down, I started to feel defeated. This task seemed impossible. I focused my eyes on the pier.
Some of the competitors had made the turn and I was starting to meet them on their way back. It was apparent they too were feeling defeated by the sand and wind. I started shouting out crazy things like “Arrrrgh, dis sand is kickin’ me booty.” They laughed and many returned a hearty Arrrrgh. Clowning around helped me find some joy and my steps got a little lighter.
The wind was blowing so hard someone kicked off a flip flop and it took flight as I slogged by.
After collecting my mark, I turned back, into the wind. There was no running back for me. With my shoulder into the wind I pressed on and sought more joy to lighten my load. A father was competing with his 2 daughters just ahead of me. They were relaxed and periodically the girls would turn cartwheels. They kept my heart light. Occasionally little sand pipers would chirp as if they were cheering me on.
Final climb to the bike transition area
I just kept slogging forward. After an arduous 2 mile journey back, I saw my husband waiting to escort me to my bike. He congratulated me and I laughed. I finished dead last on the run portion. When my feet hit the sidewalk, it felt like I was walking on the moon. That sensation was a welcome relief because until I felt that lightness in my legs, I was uncertain that pedaling a bike was possible.
I changed my sand-filled-ocean-soaked shoes into a dry pair of shoes and socks, slipped into my “baboon butt” bike shorts and mounted my trusty Schwinn. I was off again.
My trusty Schwinn MTB
Here is where things got a little confusing. I biked to the checkpoint at the Wright Brothers Memorial. My only clue was the marker would be on a fence post and I spotted the marker easily enough.
Street view of the Wright Brothers Memorial where I found my checkpoint marker.
From there, I could go to the kayak launch or go to the trail ride. I was only going to get 2 points at the kayak launch and the beach run points and transition consumed 90 minutes of my day. There were 3 points at the trail ride. I opted to go there first. That is where I learned that I would likely miss the Kayak portion but I could accumulate a lot of points if I stayed in the Nags Head Woods trails. I sadly opted out of the kayak portion and proceeded to collect points in the woods.
I biked through some beautiful maritime forest and collected more checkpoints. The ride put more joy in my spirit and that joy helped me pedal up and down some challenging sandy roads. I was constantly struck by the old hard wood that were still standing.
The Nature Conservancy has purchase much of the property there but there were still homes tucked in those ancient trees. Again, I met fellow competitors on the trail and we greeted each other with glee.
Riding my bike and hiking here, I was inspired by a beautiful maritime forest,
When I got back to the main hub in the woods, I was given a map of the foot trails in the woods. I found a quiet place and checked the map.
The map I used was collected at the end of the race but this one is similar.
There were six points, but they were spread from one end of the park to the other. I had less than 2 hours to wrap up and get back to the finish. I opted for a path that would take me to see the Roanoke Sound and collect 2 points. I maybe could have got a third, but my ankles were very angry at me and I had to get back before the 5hour time to avoid getting disqualified.
On that trail, alone, I shed a tear when reality hit that I would not get all the checkpoints on the list. I sucked it up and proceeded to collect my final checkpoints. Again, seeing the view of the Roanoke Sound was inspiring and worth the journey.
My final checkpoint at Roanoke Sound. The Lost Colony Theatre was on the other shore.
I headed back to the hub to collect my bike and pedaled back to the lodge.
I was the first 5 hour competitor to see the finish line. My time on the race plan was 4 hours and 25 minutes.
Tired but still proud to make the finish line of my first ever multi discipline race.
Despite being tired and hungry my husband convinced me to hang around and see what was next. Turned out, I was not alone in missing some checkpoints. In fact one team that did get a lot of points was disqualified because they didn’t return to the lodge on time. Awards were given for teams of 3 or 4, pairs, and solo. My strategy paid off. I got a 3rd place award for the solo division. A gentleman got 2nd and another woman got 1st.
I was elated to say the least. To get one more checkpoint, I would have spent a minimal of 20 minutes on the foot trail if I could have maintained a pace on those screaming ankles. I had properly weighed the risk and managed to medal in my first multi-skill race in a big come from behind effort. At 54 years old, I am still experiencing new challenges and I have a year to figure out how to do it better next year.
I am looking forward to doing better next year!
Arrrrrgh, dar be no stoppin’ me now.
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Links
Bonzer Shack where I rewarded myself with a delicious burger.
After weeks of eating right while training, I got a post race treat, or 3
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Thanks for sharing. Im so proud of you.
Thanks. Next year I am going to make all the locations!