by Jess Evans
February 11, 2019

Actually, this is not a question I can answer with any accuracy. I can only provide characteristics I have observed within myself and others who I race with. Therefore, if you do not have any of my “chosen” characteristics, and you still like to adventure race… I must not know you.

For most of us, there is a sense of excitement with being in the woods. We enjoy the spectacular views but also the small things like moss on a tree, a turtle sunning itself on a log, the wind rushing through the trees, water trickling down a rocky slope, or a vulture gliding above our heads. There is so much life going on in those woods we traverse through. For one small moment when we pull ourselves away from the map to scan the landscape, we see millions of organisms thriving around us. It is an amazing and thrilling thing.

We like the challenge, and there are so many! Doing an adventure race, even a 4-hour race, is not a walk in the park (pretty close though). There is pre-race planning (training, food, water, gear). There are the challenges of continuing during the race, such as staying hydrated and fed, enduring minor injuries or pain, sustaining movement in some form for the allotted time, finding the checkpoints, and keeping yourself and teammates motivated. Then you have the post-race processing. What gear worked or did not? What food worked or did not? How was the team’s mental state at specific times during the race, like when you realized you were lost? How can you better assist your teammates? How can you better train?

Of course, the satisfaction of knowing how to navigate, and doing it moderately well is another characteristic I would throw into the ring. With the ability to read a topographic map, get an idea of the lay of the land, and determine route to the subsequent CPs, demonstrates your proficiency. This is so cool. I relish the thought of looking at a map and figuring out where I am, where I need to go, and how to get there. I will just say it again… it is so cool!

Maybe this is not a characteristic of adventure racing, but it is something I truly enjoy – camaraderie. I do not do adventure races to “be by myself in the woods.” I do them to be with other people in the woods. The smiles, the stories, the friendliness… there is just something special about adventure racers doing an adventure race. While I am not typically gregarious or quick at making friends, when I am around adventure racers, I do not need either because everyone just “fits in.”

If you find you are in need of a little more AR in your day, take a look at the many races coming up (like the Breakdown, April 13), and get signed up. What are you waiting for?

by Jess Evans
February 6, 2019

One of the pluses of social media is the ease at which we can learn about and follow races going on throughout the country and the world. What used to be a poor spectator friendly sport, AR watching has really improved with blogs, podcasts, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. I am watching races unfold before my eyes on social media that I had only known about peripherally in the past or did not know about at all.

Some of the best resources to follow a race or learn about past races are on social media. For example, you can visit the Adventure Racing Cooperative website, click on the Race Report page, and read a racer’s report on a particular race anytime. These reports are entertaining, informative about past races, and may provide you some tips on how to improve your race. You can read this blog to learn more about 361° Adventures and Athena Adventures’ races (and my thoughts on most things adventure racing). You can listen to the TA1 podcast by the Legendary Randy Ericksen to hear from any number of adventure racers and race directors. On top of that, his facebook page is full of some spectacular pictures and videos of the races he frequents. Side note: Make sure you do not miss the amazing video he did of the 361° Adventures team from AR Worlds Cowboy Tough in 2017 . Or you can “like” Facebook pages such as AR Live Coverage and see a race unfold in front of you in your Facebook feed from anywhere around the world. Another great one is the Adventure Racing Discussion Group, which provides much more about adventure racing than just the races. There really are many great pages out there to “like” and enjoy.

We, as a community, are utilizing multiple tools to provide a complete picture of our AR community. While the rest of the world may still not know exactly what adventure racing is, we have a plethora of materials to “show” them what it is and a host of great people to race with. An awesome way to get people involved may be one or more of these excellent sources to share with friends and family that do not yet know of or participate in adventure racing. I know AR is not for everyone, but I think there are a lot of people out there that do not participate who would find it to be one of the greatest adventure sports ever invented.

by Jess Evans
January, 28 2019

Earlier this month, 361° Adventures held the Frigid race at General Butler State Resort Park. The course had challenging terrain for seasoned racers, but also the perfect trail system to allow new racers to test their navigational skills. Everyone who attempted it was successful. During the winter months, the woods are open, which allows for easy visual sight of the landscape from ridge tops to re-entrants. This is the ideal setting for new and old racers to practice reading the terrain, seeing the features, and translating them from the topographic map to the ground.

During the race I saw only smiles the entire 4 hours. There were teams of all ages and skill levels. Some knew exactly where they were going and what they were doing. Others were taking the trails at a slower pace and consulting the map more often. I think several factors made this race so much fun for everyone out there 1) everyone was challenged on some level; 2) it was a perfect day to be outside in the woods (sunny and 50 degrees), 3) teams were friendly and helpful to each other; and 4) there were plenty of fun stories to share with each other after the race was over. Everyone made new friends and became reacquainted with old ones.

Through my years of racing, I have found that adventure racers have a special camaraderie. The race is never about getting from point A to point B the fastest. Each race is about the journey. While there may be 100 people out on the course, everyone has a different experience depending on their route choice. Every team has a story to tell that is unlike any other story from any other team. Adventure racing is truly a “choose your own adventure” kind of sport with the best kind of adventurers.

by Jess Evans
January, 21 2019

I know many of us are getting some real winter weather this January… like snow. If Winter is going to be cold, as it often is, it is better with snow. And if we have snow, we have some awesome winter sports to partake in. I am not a down hill skier, but I love the snow. Now that we finally have snow in the Colorado Front Range, I am snow shoeing and cross country skiing nearly every day. It is amazing how many miles I can get on 40 acres when I weave around slopes and streams. Hours of fun!

When it is cold, windy, and dry, I grumble about going out for a run or even worse, a bike ride. But when it is cold and windy and snow is on the ground, I can barely wait to get out. I pile on the clothes. Two layers of pants, wool socks, gaiters, coat, windbreaker, gloves, buff, hat, sunglasses, and a hanky to take care of those runny nose issues. I do not worry about being over dressed, because I am not moving fast enough to generate a lot of sweat. Then I am out for at least an hour trudging or skiing through the snow. My body is warm and my face is cold, the perfect combination.

When skiing, I glide down the gentle slopes and dig in to climb up the hills. On steeper short hills, I will walk sideways up them. I am not that good of a skier. While snow shoeing, I sink in just a little in the deep snow. As I lift my leg high to take another step, clumps of snow fly off my snow shoes and hit the back of my legs. With each step the snow adds struggle but delight. When the moon rises, I continue on my path with the snow glistening in the moonlight. I may hear a coyote or owl in the distance, smiling with the knowledge that I am out in nature enjoying winter.

Once winter snow arrives, make snow sports part of your training routine. You truly get to enjoy winter, and winter training is a lot better.

by Jess Evans
January, 10 2019

This past weekend was a slam dunk for the outdoor community. Shawn and Dallas had a stellar line-up of speakers including Explore Kentucky, ACA paddling tips, Ultra Running, Orienteering, Mountain Biking Tips and so much more. Everything you would need to know before you hit the outdoors. I have been adventure racing for 10 years, and this was extremely helpful. I know there is still a ton more I need to learn to be a better racer and outdoors woman.

Gerry James from Explore Kentucky opened the conference with his inspiring anecdotes of becoming an outdoor advocate in Kentucky. He emphasized the importance of recreation and conservation, which are two themes I am also passionate about. Then Brian Holzhausen from DINOseries.com jumped right into Adventure Racing 101. He did an excellent job with explaining the many facets of adventure racing. Anyone uncertain about what AR is should listen to his presentation. It was spot on. As the day wore on, we discussed “in field” bike repairs, orienteering, how to take better pictures (one I could really use some guidance on), bike packing, mountain biking basics, how to navigate during the day and night, and what to do with our common aches and pains. The day ended with two inspirational speakers, one on defining success in an ultra race and the other on sticking it out when times get tough in an endurance race. All the speakers were very knowledgeable and lots of fun.

Now I must take all this new information and put it to work. I have several pages of notes to dive into. Luckily, it is January, so I can start working all of this into my daily routines making it second nature, and be ready for my first race in March with less pain and more skills. Please check out the Facebook, Instagram, and web pages of all the speakers and sponsors. Go to the AR Clinic page to access those links. We learned a lot, and we want to share the knowledge.