12 Things Every Racer Should Know

Know technical skills: Possess the knowledge of technical and safety aspects involved in adventure racing whether it is rope work, paddling, mountain biking, white water rafting, or glacier travel. Don’t go to a race thinking that your “natural athleticism” will carry you through. It won’t! If you don’t know the techniques, you will never be able to do the different disciplines of an adventure race for the durations that will be required.

Know the difference between skill and endurance: Be physically trained for the long haul. While it is important to know the technical skills of each discipline, you must also be fit enough to carry them out for days at a time. A lot of great mountain bikers fail at adventure racing because, while they can handle just about any degree of technical difficulty, they have little endurance. In adventure racing, you seem to go up hill much more often than down.

Know about sleep deprivation: You can’t really train for sleep deprivation because you never will get better at it but it is important to know what it feels like and what happens to your body when you experience it. The more practice you have making rational decisions on little sleep, the better. And the best time to learn about the effects of s.d. is before you get to an actual race. It also helps to know how your teammates handle sleep deprivation, just to help keep the waters calm.

Know your personal nutrition and hydration needs and preferences: You can find lists and tables of what to eat during triathlons and marathons but there is no blanket formula for nutrition and hydration during adventure races. Due to the length of most events, intake becomes a highly personal matter with each individual favoring different foods, sports drinks and intake timing. About the only standard that is recommend is to eat and drink as much as possible at all times. The key is to know what you like to eat, what foods and drinks work for you and what timing works for your body’s processes.

Know your own personal clothing needs: Some people run hot, others run cold. Know what clothing makes you the perfect temperature in all the weather conditions that you might encounter in a race. Also know what clothing pieces function the best for you. The last thing you want is to chaff.

Know navigation skills: At least 2 people on your team must be good navigators. If you aren’t one of them, your racing options will be limited because you will have to find people who can navigate for you. Ideally, everyone should have some navigation skills because, while too many cooks spoil the stew, sometimes the chef needs to take a break and someone better be able to keep the pot simmering.

Know your teammates: You don’t have to be life-long buddies but it helps if you have at least done some training together. There are too many horror stories of teammates meeting the day before a race and finding out too late (like during a race) that they aren’t compatible. By training with your teammates, you will also be better able to recognize signs of them needing help. Everybody has their down times during a race. Knowing how and when to give help as well as being comfortable enough to ask for help for yourself is crucial. Finally, know what your teammates’ goals are (ideally, they are yours as well). It is important that everyone be on the same sheet of music.

Know how to pace yourself: If you go out too fast, you’ll fade real quick. But everyone’s different, so figure it out!

Know the basics of wilderness first aid: Be able to treat injuries and illness that may crop up unexpectedly like hypothermia, heat stress, dehydration and musculoskeletal injuries. In most races, you could be a long way from outside help.

Know how to take care of your feet: What’s your personal best method for preventing blisters? How will you treat them once (not if) you get them? Don’t rely on race doctors or your EMT teammate to take care of your mushy, festering feet. They won’t have the time or the desire to.

Know basic wilderness survival skills: The knowledge of how to build a fire, make a shelter and find good, drinkable water just might save your life! Sometimes bad things happen.

Know the importance of a positive attitude: Your thoughts become your actions.

(Note: This article was put together with some other friends, Will Burkhart and Jason Poole, when we worked on a previous project.)

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