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What's Different...
By Marjorie Perry
So, Chris asked what's different with our racing?
Twofold answer: what's
different for me and what's different for our team. Where shall I begin?
My
first adventure race was Blue Ridge 2000. Prior to that, the only endurance
sport I had participated in were two bike centuries. Before 1999 I
had never
done anything more than 5 miles on a bike or more than a 5 k run and
I
barely even did that. I was a mediocre rock climber and a gym rat but
that
was getting a little old. A neighbor of mine needed a chick for their
adventure racing team and I agreed to try out adventure racing. Little
did I
know that my life was about to totally change. I went out and bought
a
mountain bike and began my gear head addiction and search for the perfect
running shoe (still haven't found them). The night before the race
I was
watching a "how to video" on mountain biking. I think my
team was one of the
last to finish that first Blue Ridge. Interestingly enough, I found
myself
constantly waiting for these experienced triathletes on my team. Me,
this
stay at home had something in there that I didn't know existed. Hmmmm?
Those
guys quit racing but I discovered a new found passion and wanted more.
I
didn't know anyone else but some guys who I had met in the first generation
Trail Blazers so I kept training with them. I couldn't believe I was
training with guys who had done Ironman triathlons. I was so intimidated.
Well, 2001 turned out to be my GLORY year. The one I will always look
back
on and tell the grandkids about. Marathons, 6 Gap Century Rides, good
racing
results, great stories. I was discovering so many things about myself
through adventure racing while still being a very active full time
mom. But
ya know, something always has to suffer. After 2002 it wore me into
the
ground. Everyone kept asking me how I did so much. Well, I wasn't doing
it
very well. As my Eco team knew, I wasn't handling the stress very well.
I
came down with a horrible case of shingles (very painful) and had the
most
god awful scarring on my neck. I looked like I had the biggest hickey
from
Satan himself. It took me 2 1/2 years and going half way around the
world to
get the biggest slap in the face of reality. I was the most unlikely
person
to do well at this sport but I wanted to prove to myself that I could.
It
was a disappointing year but I made some new friends and learned a
lot.
Mostly, I realized how lucky I am to have such an incredible family
and a
husband who loves me. I needed a break and to refocus on my family.
I did
this and it has been so great. It's really hard to give up something
that
you love but I just can't figure out the formula for making it all
work.
After last October I had three solid months of no outside training.
Then I
started to get a little depressed. I was ten pounds over weight and
missing
my time in the woods. So, after January first I started playing outside
again - running a little and riding a little. I took a little break
for some
minor surgery and I realized just how much I needed my time in the
mountains.
So, WHAT'S DIFFERENT for me has been riding and running for pure enjoyment
(okay, also a little to be prepared for the tough Blue Ridge course).
Also,
my life could no longer revolve around training. My training had to
revolve
around my life. Believe it or not, that was a big deal for me. Oh,
and I
wasn't getting up to train at 4:30 a.m. anymore. I discovered sleeping
again
and I like it! Then, my team, realizing we were all pretty much out
of shape
when we signed up for the Blue Ridge race decided to change our name
to
signify what we were feeling. At first we were "Team Back To The
Couch" but
then we decided Buddha Babies sounded better.
So we really tried going into this with a different attitude. It's
hard
being a competitive person knowing you're going to get your butt kicked.
We
really did want to race for fun. I mean, we always end up having fun
but I'm
not sure if that's why we were racing. Secretly, I was hoping for a
top ten
finish but I knew the competition was going to be tough. This is my
only
race for the year so I wanted to do well. But mostly, I wanted to have
fun.
NOW HERE'S THE REAL DIFFERENCE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE! We get out there
and the
whole race we're still trying to convince ourselves it's all for fun.
We're
Buddha Babies! But the Terra Force in us kept wanting to come out.
But the
Buddha reality kept slapping us in the face. We almost missed the race
start
because we were running late. The race starts. We start the run in
the front
of the pack -- As always, people come tearing past me. But I feel pretty
good. I grab for Dave's hand to pull me up the hills. Alex and Dave
take
turns helping me. About 3 1/2 miles in I feel great. At about 5 miles
in my
stomach starts cramping like never before. I could hardly breath. I
know I
have to keep running because I will soon be able to rest in the kayak.
I'm
tearing off my pack, my clothes, doing whatever I can. I'm naked at
this
point (just kidding). I'm moaning and running barreled over like an
old
lady. We get to the boats and I immediately start feeling better. We
have a
great paddle (Alex and me switching off for me to warm up and him to
work on
his cramping). We get up to the Turkey farm and ace the "mystery
event" but
while in transition I get a sharp stomach cramp that sends me yelling
at the
top of my lungs. Dave grabs me from behind pulling me from my underarms
to
stretch me out. I get relief within 30 seconds. We got on the bikes
and
were out of there with a three and half minute transition. Alex and
I start
cramping right away. We make it to Shady Falls Rd. and Dave's chain
breaks.
We stop for a bike repair. I sit back in the sun and calmly remind
myself
that we're Buddha Babies and we're doing this for fun. I smile and
talk to
all of the nice teams going by us. Someone said, "I didn't know
sunbathing
was part of this race." Back on the bikes - - cramp, cramp, cramp!
We get to
the big creek crossing on the Flat Creek Loop and I'm so ready to take
it
on. I know the line! But damn if this other team wasn't walking their
bikes
across at that exact moment. I was so psyched to get the line but mostly
I
knew my quad would cramp if I had to get off. Sure enough -- Twitch!!!!!!
Ahhhhhhhh! I can't even write what I said next. Errrr. Back on the
bike.
This is all for fun. Take it easy. Oh, by this time Dave has eaten
a huge
bug and taken a fall with handle bars in the chest. Alex is cramping
so bad
he's walking his bike. This is a first! I'm riding up the hill while
he's
walking his bike. Off to the last hike. Dave has a hammie pull so he
takes
his hiking pole. Immediately, twitch, cramp, twitch, cramp. We're all
popping Endurolytes (electrolyte pills) every 20 minutes like we're
drug
addicts. Twitch, cramp, twitch, cramp. We would laugh -- It's all for
fun.
We're Buddha Babies. We come across some guys sitting in the middle
of the
woods and they tell us we're in seventh place. I just died laughing.
I
thought we were like at least 17th by now. How could this be? We remind
ourselves that it doesn't matter, it's all for fun, we're Buddha Babies.
Cramp, twitch, cramp, . . . . We get passed by one team (the team that
made me walk across that damn creek crossing). They are strong as hell
on
foot, running the uphills like those Kenyans out at Kennesaw Mountain.
More
power to them. It's all for fun, you know . . . . But not sure how
far the
next team is maybe we will try to hold on to 8th. Run, walk, crawl,
cramp,
we made it. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Smiles, laughs, hugs, stories, . . .
I'm proud to say that we aced all of the mystery events. We did have
fun. I
think we accomplished our goal. Maybe we were sandbagging ourselves
too.
Hmmmmm?? Dave said if we replace ourselves with some faster racers
we might
win this thing. :) No excuses! It is what it is!
I do love the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race. I love everything
about
the race. I love that the town puts it on and supports it. I love
the brutal
race course. And like Chris said, it's like a family reunion. I love
seeing
all of you guys out there. This year my family was there with me
and that
made it even better. I don't know if I will race again but I'll definitely
be there in some capacity next year to see you guys.
You guys all rock! Way to go Shannon! And watch out, I think your
sister
will soon be your toughest competition. Thanks Buddha Babies for
a good time
as always. :)
Happy Trails,
Marjorie
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