Ross' Xtreme Adventure!!! (race)

After Ironman, Ross really didn't feel like racing for awhile. He had had his share of swim/bike/running to last him a lifetime. Or so he thought.

This past winter Ken decided to ask him to do an adventure race and... game on!

Adventure Racing involves a number of disciplines that all vary depending on the race, but what they all DO include is finding (a) your own course and (b) multiple checkpoints over the course, which make it in the "not for me" category. I like WELL-MARKED courses and I HATE being lost.  But, I DO love supporting my husband in his endeavors and new places, so staying home was not really an option.

So, it was off to Buena Vista for us this weekend. For those of you who have never been here, it is GORGEOUS! It is about 8,000 feet in altitude with fifteen 14'ers in view. It's beautiful just about any way you turn.

Friday evening, Ross and Ken went to the pre-race meeting and got all their info. Fortunately, Lori came along as crew (as I would have no clue what I was doing) and Friday night night was devoted to a good dinner and the guys getting their logistics together.

Saturday morning was off and to "downtown" Buena Vista.  I let Lori and the guys go ahead to get all situated. Believe it or not, traveling with our kiddos can be a little distracting.

I know this picture is blurry, but I like it b/c it kinda captured Ross' pre-race jitters before we arrived.
He didn't know I was there. 

I think having the boys there actually helped.

Last minute plotting of where they think they need to run for their race.

Before the big dance

And off they go

They started off running and had to navigate up trails and such, visiting checkpoints along the way-- if they miss a checkpoint, they have to go back and find them before they are allowed to go to the next leg. The only thing anyone knows is where the transition to the next leg is. So that is where I took the boys.

Ross and Ken heading in to the transition after running for 1:07 up trails and through the mountains.

Ross' run report: Very challenging, but scenic and beautiful.

The guys were both in good spirits after the run and thankful to be done. They quickly changed into rain gear. I can only imagine how cold that water was. Yikes. Now it was off to the kayak.

All decked out

Down to the water

 Here is where my camera battery died. Ultimate bummer. I really wanted to get some picts of them getting into the water. The river was high and the rapids looked not-so-nice. Regardless, I was excited for them and their trip. Ross had never kayaked before, so this was gonna be interesting.

After putting in, we rushed to the next transition. With the water running so high, we figured they would be done pretty fast... and they were. About 40 minutes later I spotted Ross' neon yellow jacket paddling up to the shore. Again, both in high spirits. I guess a number of racers had rolled, so they were happy they managed to keep upright through the whole ordeal. Success!

This transition, Lori and I had a bit of trouble putting Ross' wheel on, so we thought he knew the "secret", but he did not. Oh no! Lori and I put on our biggest puppy dog eyes and asked another team's support crew if they could help us out with Ross' bike (they totally looked like they knew what they were doing). And they did. Thankfully they were able to do a short-term fix for Ross' bike- a feat I will forever be grateful for. Lori offered them money but they would not take it by any means. I love nice people. So, after a 35 minute transition, Ross and Ken were on their way to their last leg.
 
For me, I took the kids to a park, had a picnic and charged my camera battery. Then it was off to the finish line to cheer them in.

Ross' Bike Report: A little technical, a lot of climbing, exciting/the downhill was very fun. Glad they didn't miss the last checkpoint and have to go back UP (like some other teams).

Riding through the finish line together!

Boys VERY proud of their father

Glad to be done. Smiling, just like they were all day!

Time for some recovery drink

Mixes just right with post-race food