by Jess Evans
April 13, 2018
Another reason I really like adventure racing is that it requires you to be in the present. You have to stay focused in that moment – where you are, where you are going, what food or drink you need at the moment to keep you going. Each step requires purpose and awareness of your surroundings. For many outdoor adventures, your mind can’t wander too much or you’ll get lost!
I cannot navigate and day dream (or think about unrelated topics) at the same time. Some people may have that talent, but not me. Even when I am not navigating, I like to stay focused on the moment. I need to focus on my body and what it is telling me it needs. I observe my teammates to make sure everyone is awake, and they do not look like they are suffering too much.
Focusing on your surroundings can be hard, especially at night. During the night hours is when I pull out my trusty pace counting to make sure we are where we think we are. But staying focused can get a little bit dicey as fatigue sets in. If I am pace counting and trying to keep my teammates’ minds active by talking, that is a trick. I have managed it where I will be counting and listening to the conversation, say something, and then guess on what number I would be at if I had not contributed to the conversation.
It is really frustrating when you are pace counting and forget what number you are on. I have done “37, 38, 39, 30, 31, 32…” then I stop and think, “wait, didn’t I just finish the 30s?” Then you have to guess as to where you should be in your counting. Everyone is looking to you to tell them when you reach 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, and you are just guessing at this point.
I think I am happiest when I am in the moment. When I feel the breeze, feel each step I take (even if each step is painful), and hear the sounds of trees rustling or birds singing, I know I am where I want to be. There are few problems that arise when you are in the moment. If you keep yourself propelling forward, you will get to where you need to go in the moment.
