Adventure Racing

Another 2012 mission: step into the intensely challenging world of Adventure Racing http://www.adventureraceaustralia.com.au/what-is-adventure-racing.php. I am yet to sign up for a challenge, however am aiming to do so very soon…

As a taster, I went for a trail run in the local reserve yesterday. Given the recent rain followed by a hot spell here in Queensland, the bushland was particularly dense and ‘alive’ with a wide variety of native wild life. I encountered a (dead) snake, several wallabies, birds, mountain bikers, spider webs – even a group of teenage guys taking their 4×4 for a spin on the rough trails.

I was going strong for the first hour, however found that at around the 1 hr 15 min my knees started aching slightly. I also found that I was lost! (note: must get a map and compass!). After running for around 20 minutes in what I thought was the right direction, I came across a dense swamp… I ran along it for another 2KM’s, only to decide that the best course of action would be to turn around. By this point, I had gone about 15 minutes out of the way – and back tracking cost another 15 minutes. A great learning and I’m grateful it was only training – and that I still had a few hours of sunlight to work with.

Eventually, I emerged from the bushland about 8KM’s from home. A quick phone call and dad came to my rescue. I am certainly feeling the pain today – lots of stretching and active recovery is on the cards for the next few days. Still, 2 hours 15 minutes and 17KM’s of trail running isn’t a bad first hack.

The bushland all looks the same...

7 Days

New year, new goals. I have grand plans for you, 2012. I have etched these plans of the pages of my little black (and gold) book – they are committed to the record, so there’s no chance of forgetting, failing or forgoing. Likely one of the most ambitious of the series is the “7 Days” goals. Devised collaboratively with my partner in crime is a list of 12 challenges – one for each month, lasting for a period of 7 days. Each challenge is designed to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones and hopefully, to learn more about ourselves – all the while breaking up the monotony of everyday life. Here they are:

• January: Alcohol free
• February: run challenge
• March: yoga challenge
• April: Live below the Line http://www.livebelowtheline.com.au/
• May: 8 hours sleep per night
• June: 7 Days of Love: write a note to someone you love, telling them why they are special
• July: cycling challenge
• August: 7 days of culture: ballet, opera, film, theatre, museums, galleries
• September: Refined sugar free
• October: Ocean swims – a daily dip in the ocean
• November: 7 strangers: must engage in a conversation each day with a stranger
• December: 7 days of learning: pick the top 7 toughest / most interesting challenges and write about what was learned

Of course, there are rules that accompany these and loop-hole seeking is strictly forbidden! Participants must blog about their 7 days on the Sunday of completion. As failure isn’t an option, there aren’t any excuses or exceptions.

The first challenge to kick off the year – Alcohol free 7 days – has been a nice ‘soft start’. Given all the cocktails consumed on a recent jaunt to Thailand, I’m quite sure my blood stream is still running gin and tonic. I may need to re-visit this challenge again later in the year to claim really conquering it…

The little Black & Gold Book of Goals

Of all the challenges, I must say I am fairly apprehensive about the Live Below the Line… being a material girl in this consumer world, I’m not quite sure how it is even possible to live for $2 per day – it will undoubtably be the toughest of the challenges for me. I am most looking forward to the Love and Strangers challenges.

So, stay tuned – daily updates throughout the 7 days of each month will be publicised via Twitter: @Ulterior_Woman.