Pangea Adventure Race

About a year ago, Steve and I heard about Pangea Adventure Racing and thought it would be a fun thing to try together. Adventure races combine biking, paddling, and treking into one race. The goal is to use a map and compass to find certain checkpoints in the woods or along the water all while competing to do it faster and more strategically than the other teams. We volunteered at a race last November to get a feel for how it goes and signed up for one in January. We had to cancel that race to travel out of town and then it fell off our radar. When we found out I was pregnant, we knew the window of opportunity was short! We signed up for the very next race which just happened to be held right off our street, and would be raced in the woods across from our house and in the river we know so well... slight advantage perhaps. We trained for about a month and were excited for the big day!!

Our Pre-Race Picture

Our team name was "Paddles and Saddles"

One thing I love about these races is that the fastest or most athletic team does not always win. There is so much strategy involved, as well as your ability to use a compass, read a map and carefully budget your time. Our race was three hours long and we were able to make it to 13 of 15 check points.

Getting ready to start! You draw marbles for the order in which you do each discipline. We drew Trek-Paddle-Bike. I really did not want to bike last since it is my weakest of the three (not to mention we were racing in JUNE heat!) but it ended up being a really good thing. We were able to go all out on the trek and paddle and then know when we needed to head back on the bike so we didn't get a time penalty.

Our Post-Race photo! We were so exhausted and incredible hungry!

We placed 9th out of 33 teams. Not bad for our first try!! I am eager to enter another one with Steve after the baby is born.