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An early start and we were on our way. We were staying in Wentworth Falls and a fellow race competitor hitched a lift with us after riding to our accommodation from Leura. "Nuts!" was our response when he arrived.
The race hub was buzzing when we arrived with the usual quantity of lycra and high tech tools being unloaded from a large number of vehicles. Not wanting to rush our preparation, we queued for a freshly brewed cup of motivation and then we registered for the race.
The purple track looked challenging and our training buddies were registered for the same course. We were hoping just to finish given that we were carrying a few niggling injuries, but there's nothing quite like racing against your training buddies. Time would tell.
Final race preparations, including ridiculous amounts of Vaseline and Dencorub were applied in preparation for the pain that was coming. We covered the maps in contact and reviewed the race instructions in detail. After a nervous water and coffee- induced leak in the steaming compost toilets, we were on our way to the start line. Time had been dragging all morning, but after the hard core safety briefing, where we discovered that a helicopter was the only way to get extracted from the canyoning leg, time seemed to evaporate. The start was a silly as a bum full of smarties with about 300 people starting the race and we found ourselves located at the back of the pack.
The mini rogaine was relatively straightforward and then the fun and games started. The trail leading out of the race hub was steep and initially seemed to have us heading in the wrong direction. A few metres further along and faith in our navigation skills was restored as the trail changed direction and we were off again in the right direction. We conquered the first hill of the day and had an eerie feeling that we were on our own. It wasn't long before the first of many teams reeled us in and gave us a healthy dose of humble pie as the breezed by us on cruise control. We missed a seemingly obvious CP and had to back track a hundred metres to avoid a penalty. A steep drop followed and with our lungs working and our legs pumping the pain and anguish really started as we entered the canyon leg. At first it seemed relatively simple, but after a few hundred metres we quickly realised that it was slippery on the rocks and the trail was largely undefined. In between CPs we did our best climbing over the rocks and making our way up and down the valley walls to avoind going in the freezing water. Towards the middle of the canyon leg we were seemingly blocked by the creek and decided to make our way through the freezing water. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but as the water reached our necks my body went into shock and the tackle took hours to reappear after this experience. Our training buddies later informed us that it wasn't necessary to enter the freezing cold water and they found a route with no swimming.
Freezing cold and carrying some bloodied and bruised legs from negotiating the rocks, we neared the end of the canyoning leg. During this challenging period of time my team mate lost an argument with a tree stump that left him wishing that he was wearing his bike helmet.
The kayak, which is usually our nemesis, turned out to be our saviour today. The kayak leg was a bit shorter than other races and the typical upper leg burn was not as painful. I was beginning to think that the stint in the kayak was going to rejuvenate our strength for the balance of the race. Little did we know what was to follow…
After dismounting the kayak, we started our ascent up what seemed like thousands of steps. I'd like to extend a special thanks to the young lady heading in the other direction who took one look at my face and said 'I'd like to tell you that you're nearly at the top but you're not (ha ha ha)'. After receiving this soul destroying news, we slowed to a walk and persevered for the remainder of the 'run' just missing another obvious CP that required a small back track. I take back my earlier comment about feeling rejuvenated.
Race HQ was bathed in sunshine and the sight of our bikes was a huge relief. We smashed down an energy drink and a vegemite sambo and headed off to find some more CPs. This time we were in luck and the first bike leg was like clock work. It was nice to be off the feet for a while and our confidence grew.
Once again, reality kicked in as we dismounted the bike, punched our timing chip and set out for another run leg of about 4 kilometres. The narrow and overgrow track made passing teams heading in the other direction difficult and the stopping and starting did not allow the legs to function as per normal. After leaving our busted pooper valves somewhere on this run, we finally stumbled back to our trusty machines and set off on our last leg of the day.
The last bike leg was awesome. Something happens when you reach the last leg of the day. After a small climb, we attacked a large section of downhill single track that was technically demanding, but gave us a chance to have some fun. After negotiating a couple of large logs, we collected one of the last CPs and started the journey back to race HQ. The group in front of us all peeled off confidently to the left at the road sign marking the direction to race HQ, but we gambled on my navigation skills and took a right. Luckily, we found the next CP just up the road and we got ahead of the large pack that made the wrong turn. For all of the novice adventure racers, it pays not to follow the teams in front of you no matter how confident they look and how expensive the gear they are using.
The downhill track to the last CP was rejuvenating and the final creek crossing and short stair climb was followed by the sweetest sight of all…. the massive yellow inflatable finish line. We punched our timing chip for the last time after 4 hours of racing and reflected on the fact that we'd finished and put in a solid effort.
After our training buddies finished, we enjoyed a late lunch prepared by the excellent volunteers. As the last of the hard core adventure racers trickled back to HQ, we packed up our gear and headed back into the mountains for a hard earned cold one and a hot shower.
The Wolf Pack would like to thank the Kathmandu race organisers, volunteers and sponsors for organising a professional and thoroughly enjoyable event. We are new to adventure racing, but we have really enjoyed each race and we look forward to many more. We'd also like to thank our adventure race widows for accompanying us on race weekend and for the support and encouragement to train for each race.
Luke Erskine
