I was just wondering if you guys know of any beginner type (easier) adventure races in Europe. Its something I have always thought about doing but was always so unfit that it was just a joke. I am fitter now and was wondering how you get into this sport. I think it would be a great sport to mix with triathlon training.
I have no idea at all about this stuff and just want some basic starting points. I can canoe, run, swim, cycle and can read a map and use a compas. I can climbe very easy routes but would probably say at this stage that rock climbing would be a bad idea! I found Explore Sweden but it seems to involve too much rock climbing.
Email me here or on my blog if you are looking for adventure races anywhere in the world. I have been racing since 1997 and would be happy to connect you with the right people. Don’t be afraid to get out there and mix it up! You have guys like Richard Ussher and Mike Kloser/Michael Tobin at the front of the sport, 8:01 Ironman type talented guys, and you have much much slower guys also finishing well because they work well as a team and navigate well with map and compass. Also you can use Attackpoint.org, which is an orienteering website that is sort of a portal for adventure racing. it’s super basic, no frills and old school but racers from all over Europe, Down Under, and the Americas use it as a training log, social network and race posting site. Let me know how I can help! I have been luckily to race in Switzerland, Germany and Austria and those were some of the best racing/traveling/exploring/getting my ass kicked experiences of my life. Running and riding through the swiss alps under a full moon, unknown miles away from any road, was like a dream. The sounds of cowbells in the valleys sounded like a symphony and the moonlit mountains looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Of course we had been running, riding, paddling for over 50 hours nonstop across the Alps at that point so it may have all been a hallucination!
Hi Sean, Thanks so much for getting back to me! I had assumed this thread was long gone!
I am doing my first Ironman in 4 days so have been focused on that 100% but the adventure racing is what I think I would really love to do. Pushing your self is fun and interesting but its a lot of fun when you have your mates with you and you are all pushing eachother too!
I have a few friends in mind (mostly military or ex - so know how to navigate and survive!) who I would like to set a team up with but I think we need something quite short (in terms of days) and something quite simple as none of us are experienced with these events. I would really appreciate any contacts or tips about events in Europe (I will be UK based but can travel a little) that may be suitable for beginners. Wow I am actually quite exited that we may have found some help! I am not in a huge rush to do it I just want to get started on the road, improve my fitness much more and then have a crack at it.