Heather's Yapcrap

Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge 4 Days/170 miles 02/13/14 San Ignacio, Belize Team Adventure Capitalists/BDAR Midwest 2 Person Coed Racers: Eric Olsen, Heather Kluch, Mark Rouse (injured) TRAINING We went into this race not knowing what to expect. Not only was it our first expedition length race, it was also our first International race, and I was recovering from a sprained ankle (I sprained twice in two months). It was bothering me a day before the race, so even with all the great advice from other experienced expedition racers, we went into this race with the mindset of let’s just finish this and be happy with that! We started off as a 3 person coed team with 4-5 hour intense training days while wearing our packs that we would be racing with. One suggestion, if you think you’re training with a heavy pack, make it heavier!! I trained with 15 pounds, it definitely helped but was nothing compared to what I was carrying during the race. Since the weather in the Mi...

Since the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge is the first expedition race for Adventure Capitalists/BDAR Midwest, we have no idea what to expect. I’ve been adventure racing for almost 8 years now, but my longest race has been 30 hours. Same goes for one of my other teammates, Eric Olsen, so 4 days of trekking, mountain biking, canoeing and spelunking, will be a whole new experience for us. This will also be our first International race so I’m excited to see what the jungle has to offer! I’ve been given a lot of great advice from fellow racers, but nothing can paint an exact picture of what I’m about to experience in Belize.  The race will include 15-20 miles of paddling which I’ve done before, but with a kayak paddle. We get the torturous pleasure of having to use a single blade oar that the race directors will be supplying for us. Who knows what this thing will be made out of or how much it will weigh. The mileage does sound short for such a long race, but we could be paddling u...