by Jess Evans
May 6, 2019

Sleep Monsters is not only a great AR team name, it is also an intriguing phenomenon during long races.  When I was first introduced to this term ten years, I literally thought people were having nightmares as they walked through the woods at night.  I was hoping I would never be that person who succumbed to nightmares during a race.  My imagination was enough. I have a different understanding of “sleep monsters” now that I have done several multiday races and have endured the long, exhausting hours at night.  I see some fantastical beasts like elephants, giant stags, dragons, and dinosaurs, but never anything that is truly scary to me. Often the way our lights pick up trees or shrubs and create shadows assists with the spotting of these amazing creatures.

My most recent experience was during the Untamed New England AR in 2018.  We were starting the paddling section on the first night. My canoe partner had just taken a caffeine pill and was talking more than I have ever heard him talk in the last 6 years of racing together.   I endured a constant barrage of questions and tales, but it did help to keep us awake on this slow river paddle. As his caffeine began to wear off and silence stretched between us, I started seeing the forest along the banks come alive with creatures that were not there.  A huge dinosaur stood the length of the river bank. Then a witch sat placidly among some branches.  As soon as I see something out of the ordinary on the bank or in the water, I focus my light on it and stare intently, if I can. My tired brain slowly takes in what I an actually seeing. Eventually the image fades away into branches and tree trunks.

I have often thought that I could not do an adventure race over night by myself due to my imagination.  I have done a few where the race ended at midnight. It was difficult at first to be out by myself, but I have begun to feel more comfortable.  However, I will not even entertain the idea of doing a multiday race as a solo.  That would most likely end with me losing my mind by morning of the second night. Those who can do that have excellent mind obedience. As AR racers, make sure you enjoy the night hours for the mystery it brings, but also keep your body and mind safe.  The sun will eventually rise. 

by Jess Evans
April 30, 2019

Last weekend many folks came out to support and celebrate Myra Minton at Taylorsville Lake southeast of Louisville.  Many of us in the AR community know that Myra has been battling cancer.  I have raced with Mrya and against her on numerous occasions and have always found her to be tough, determined, and a joy to be around.  She is an incredibly strong person with a big heart.  Thank you to everyone who came out to have fun and show Myra your love.

The next race for 361° Adventures is the London Checkpoint Challenge on May 18. This is a new race within the suite of races 361°  offers.  This race is for beginner racers to the AR sport and for experienced racers who want to enjoy some good ole fashion fun in the great state of Kentucky.  There will be biking, hiking, and challenges for the entire family to enjoy.  London sits in the mountains along I-75 about 75 miles south of Lexington in Daniel Boone National Forest.  This part of the state has a rich history with stories that date back to when Daniel Boone roamed the region, and it boasts of beautiful hills, streams, and forests to adventure through.  London is the county seat of Laurel County and rights were granted to the town by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1836.

Sign up for this fun race and enjoy the nature and the history of the area while experiencing adventure at its finest.

by Jess Evans
April 22, 2019

In case you forgot, Earth Day is April 22. Because we are in full swing Spring mode, I felt dwelling on Spring would be a perfect theme for this post.

Shawn and I rode the Stagecoach 400 in mid-March, when spring was erupting in the southern California desert. There were the familiar night sounds that you hear in Spring, but there was also an eerie silence at times. The first night we were riding amongst the frogs. There was a huge smile spread across my face because I was so delighted. There were so many frogs that we were engulfed in a constant chorus of sound. It was as if someone set up the surround sound speakers and were blaring them. I have been near a small pond with spring peepers in the past, and they were so loud, it almost felt like I was imprisoned by the sound. It was deafening. That first night I also enjoyed the company of a black widow spider in a port-a-john. We were riding around this lake on our way to San Diego, and I kept seeing these white port-a-johns going by. Finally, I thought I had better take advantage of one of them before they were gone. The one I chose was the home to a pretty good size black widow. She had no interest in me, and I observed her shiny black body and red hourglass belly with the light of my headlamp. She was quite lovely. Once back on the trail, there may have been a rabbit or two darting across it throughout the night, but that is just a vague memory to me now.

On the second night when we were dreamily pedaling up long hills, we heard owls in the distance. I was certain some were Western Screech owls, which have a very unique call, like a bouncing ball. I had heard it several years before while running at night on trails in Portland, Oregon. Screech owls are neat birds anyway, so hearing the western screech owl was such a pleasure. Most of that night was so silent though. I was very surprised we did not hear the mournful call or yip from a coyote. I kept looking for eyes in the woods around me thinking they must be out here. I never saw any eyes reflecting back at me.

On the third night, we were riding through the sandy desert of Anza Borrego State Park. We could smell, but not see, the spring wildflowers. It was such a strong floral smell, I wondered how we could not see them along the trail. I could not imagine where those flowers must have been hiding. The most surprising thing about that night as we pushed ourselves onward through the deep sand, was the lack of animal sounds. There appeared to be nothing in the desert. I thought the desert night would be full of life. For a brief time, we did hear a bird make a call over and over again. It did not sound like a night bird to me. I could not identify it, but the call appeared to be from a bird that had its day and night mixed up. No one “talks” that much at night. The next day, as we continued in the desert, the flowers were visible with their lovely aroma still hovering around them.

Each night I spend outside, I experience something new. Traveling at night in a race is always fun and shows me a world that is usually hidden.

by Jess Evans
April 8, 2019

This past weekend there were 9 adventure races and orienteering meets that were recorded on ARC’s calendar. And there are still 7 more races coming up later this month. This is a clear sign the AR season is starting. You must go to Virginia, Oregon, North Dakota, or Florida for the remainder of the races in April, but getting to the race is half the fun.

While so many people were out adventuring this past weekend, I was settling into my spring chores. The barn needed cleaning. That section of the barn had not been cleaned out in nearly 35 years. Most of the floor was decomposing hay, cow manure, and wood pallets, but I did find a few treasures. I turned up two hot wheels, a plastic HamBurglar green car from McDonalds, our old dull knife for cutting the strings around the hay bales, and two shirts belonging to my sisters or myself, most likely. Clearly the barn was a favorite place to play when I was a child. The barn is a bit cleaner, as far as barns go, and I was able to do some cross training through raking, lifting, pulling, pushing, hammering, and a host of other things.

My other main activity over the weekend was planting trees. I planted three scrub oaks and 11 pine trees. The location where I get my pine seedlings still has some frozen ground, so I will have to wait until more snow melts and the ground thaws to get the mother load of pine trees. There are plenty of young ones there ready to be transplanted. I am hoping to plant around 100 trees again this year on the old farmstead.

I am looking forward to next weekend’s Breakdown AR at The Breaks. I will be eagerly watching Facebook to see how all my midwestern friends fair the warm day and cold night during the 24 hour race. Enjoy the spring flowers and the budding trees. It is one of the best times of the year to be out in the Virginia woods.

by Jess Evans
April 1, 2019

Don’t tell me you have not signed up for The Breakdown yet! Hurry up!

This race is tough, beautiful, rugged, exhilarating… 361° Adventures is gifting you a 24 hour adventure race this year. This race will challenge you physically and mentally. So grit your teeth and make this happen.

Quick Breakdown Story: The Breakdown was a “thing” at least a few years before I attempted it. I heard from others who had tried it just how hard and gorgeous it was. I had my doubts I could truly complete this race. And the 2nd year I tried it, I did not complete it.

I typically do not remember what place my team finishes from race to race, but I do remember the few times my team has DNFed. The second time I did the Breakdown, we raced the 24 hour race. I had been sick for several weeks prior, but wanted to race. I thought I was recovered enough from my illness to do it. Also, I did not want to back out on my team. It is often so hard to find a teammate short notice. I told myself I could do the race. Only the TAs were mandatory. Cake!

Not “cake” for someone who thought she could race like she normally does, but did not have the energy to do it. The illness had sucked all the energy out of me. I could not even run. My poor teammates had to move much slower than any of us had done in any race before. The day was hot with the intense spring sun shining down on us, which seemed to sap my energy more. The night was cold, especially for Brian who did the swim. I have no idea how he even mustered the courage to jump in that water and swim to the checkpoint. As we began the bike back to the last TA the next morning, we realized we would never make it to the last TA and then on to the finish by the 24 hour time limit. We resigned ourselves to the fact that we had to ride straight to the finish and take the DNF.

Honestly, the one thing I was looking forward to was resting. Doing a 24 hour race when my body was trying to recover from an illness that had me out for almost two weeks was probably not the wisest thing I have ever done. However, I have a hard time not doing what I love even when I am too sick to do it. For the sake of my teammates, I probably should have bowed out. Maybe next time I am really sick like that, I will think of this Breakdown experience and back out of a race, but maybe not too.

Fortunately, Dallas and Shawn put on awesome races regardless if I am feeling 100% or not. Sign up for the Breakdown. It will be good for your health.