The Endorphins take First Place!

On Saturday May 10th I participated (with two other team members - Ben Craig and Jodie Lister) in an adventure race at Busiek. Starting temp about 45 degrees and misty, breezy. We first had to plot 17 coordinates on to a blank USGS map of teh area, and then proceed to hit them each, in order, using the right mode of travel.

First leg was 4 checkpoints and about 5.5 miles of running / climbing hills (and crossing creeks) Then we got on the bikes - about 5 miles of muddy trail with more creek crossings - and 5 check points, then came the mystery event. We donned PFD's and had to blow up an inner tubes, and pick up 2 check points on Woods Fork Creek. And it was COLD, but VERY beautiful. We waded, floated, and sloshed down the creek for almost 2 miles. It was about that time the lightning and hail kicked in. Then back out for another 5 mile run (run is a relative term at Busiek, as 2 of the next 4 checkpoints were on 'Ridge tops' and we were still carrying the tubes and PFD's) Back to the bikes, for the final leg of the race - another 6 miles of MUDDY trail and 3 more checkpoints.

All in all, about 6+ hours of self propelled forward motion, and untold calories - I was not able to wear my GPS / Heart rate / elevation gain monitor because it had GPS. No GPS allowed.

And the result? A FIRST PLACE finish for The Endorphins. And all checkpoints accounted for accurately. And the feeling that we are close to being ready for the Ozark Greenways race May 31.

Photos coming!