Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Off To the Races
Matthew M. Dougherty ~ Racing Results
Race Update # 1
Harriman, NY ~ EMS Adventure Race
This was the first adventure race of the season, and really the first race of any consequence for me. I had some high hopes considered a pretty good early season training program, but would be racing with new teammates for the first time. One can only hope that your teammates and you will Gel in adventure racing if not it could be a disaster.
Well this two person “sprint” adventure race, proved to be a good indicator of the season ahead. My teammate (Jim Kerlin) and I started the race well. Leading the race into the first transition area, the first section was a combined bike/ trekking section and we quickly cleared the transition area and headed out on the next leg. The second leg of the race was a combined hike a bike, bike, and paddle section. After the second leg of the race we again headed into the transition area in the lead. We had a slim lead over several elite teams, and headed out onto the final trekking section. The funny thing about adventure racing is the strongest team does not always win; it’s normally the team with the best navigational skills.
Let me preempt the next section by stating that this race was interesting in that you did not get your race maps until the start of the race. This of course means planning your route on the fly, and making some quick decisions. Well back to the race, we headed out on the last section in the lead and quickly found the first Check point and decided to head straight to the next numbered check point. This is where we made our only mistake, one that in the end cost us the race. For the elite teams there is an additional check point A on this leg, we should have gone to A and then on to the rest of the check points. We finished all the checkpoints on the leg and headed into the Finish knowing our small mistake cost us the race. We ended up finishing the race in 5th in the Male Elite division.
Considering the level of competition I was happy with the race knowing we have many races left in the season to improve on our fifth place finish.
I have to say I was totally “stoked” on all of my new sponsored gear this year. The Recover – Ease has made a notable difference in my racing and training allowing to race and train harder and recover faster, sweat deal! I am also totally happy with all my Rudy Project gear the new helmets rock, and the glasses are as superb as ever. I loved my CW-X sleeveless pro top; it worked great as my base layer for the race. I also loved racing in the Brooks Cascadia running shoes great trail shoes and great stability when ripping through the woods!
Results can be found at
http://genesisadventures.com/2006%20Harriman%20Sprint%20Results.pdf
There was also a professional photographer at the race pictures can be viewed at:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?myphotos?a=286104
and at
http://67.153.26.136/Capstone/results.faces
Race Update # 2
Ringwood, NJ ~ Jeep 12 Hour Adventure Race
With a good week of rain soaking the ground, and the skies still threatening more rain, the stage was set for a great adventure race. Trying to double up a sprint and then a 12 hour adventure race is not always easy but I felt ready to go. Again I was totally unsure of how this race would go a new race and two new teammates none of which are navigators as our navigator was spending Mothers Day with his wife. I knew I was strong and ready to race but you can’t race fast if you don’t know where you’re going.
The race stared well to put it lightly horribly we lost nearly an hour on the first section which was an orienteering section; this looked like the day was going to be exceptionally long. Soon after we corrected our mistakes and toke off on the second leg of the race the trek. Our navigational errors were behind us and we were able to slowly catch up to teams throughout the trekking section. The next transition was into the paddling section and this section went will without any major happenings just one eventful half mile portage with 85lb boats. We left the water on the final biking leg and made one more mistake, in the pre-race meeting the race organizers noted that we could use roads; we made the error of sticking to a pipe-line trail and that cost us some major time.
The final leg went smoothly with fairly clean navigation, and some sweet mountain biking with several epic climbs. We crossed the finish line feeling somewhat defeated but overall happy with the race, considering the lack of a navigator for the race. Our 2nd Place Finish in the Male Division was a nice bonus considering our ineffective navigation early on in the race. I was happy with my race as I was strong throughout the race able to set the pace on most of the sections and making all the extra runs to the Check points.
I was pleased with the race, having had my first chance to perform any form of Navigation in an adventure race. I made some great choices in the final bike leg that helped us cut time and catch a few teams along the way. Although racing with a team that is not sponsored is different then my previous experiences, I am already enjoying adventure racing for its real beauty the race, the challenge, and the personnel battles. I can say I may not be winning as many races as we did last year (With TEAM EMS) I am thoroughly loving being out there every minute!
Again all my equipment came through for me this race, given the chilly temperatures my CW-X clothes really helped me be able to race without worrying about being cold. The recover ease helped me come into the race feeling fresh even after last week’s torrid race. The Rudy project sunglasses and their interchangeable lenses were invaluable given the varying conditions throughout the day!
More soon… and thanks for all of your support!
With Fleet Feet,
Matty D
(Matthew M. Dougherty)
Race Update # 1
Harriman, NY ~ EMS Adventure Race
This was the first adventure race of the season, and really the first race of any consequence for me. I had some high hopes considered a pretty good early season training program, but would be racing with new teammates for the first time. One can only hope that your teammates and you will Gel in adventure racing if not it could be a disaster.
Well this two person “sprint” adventure race, proved to be a good indicator of the season ahead. My teammate (Jim Kerlin) and I started the race well. Leading the race into the first transition area, the first section was a combined bike/ trekking section and we quickly cleared the transition area and headed out on the next leg. The second leg of the race was a combined hike a bike, bike, and paddle section. After the second leg of the race we again headed into the transition area in the lead. We had a slim lead over several elite teams, and headed out onto the final trekking section. The funny thing about adventure racing is the strongest team does not always win; it’s normally the team with the best navigational skills.
Let me preempt the next section by stating that this race was interesting in that you did not get your race maps until the start of the race. This of course means planning your route on the fly, and making some quick decisions. Well back to the race, we headed out on the last section in the lead and quickly found the first Check point and decided to head straight to the next numbered check point. This is where we made our only mistake, one that in the end cost us the race. For the elite teams there is an additional check point A on this leg, we should have gone to A and then on to the rest of the check points. We finished all the checkpoints on the leg and headed into the Finish knowing our small mistake cost us the race. We ended up finishing the race in 5th in the Male Elite division.
Considering the level of competition I was happy with the race knowing we have many races left in the season to improve on our fifth place finish.
I have to say I was totally “stoked” on all of my new sponsored gear this year. The Recover – Ease has made a notable difference in my racing and training allowing to race and train harder and recover faster, sweat deal! I am also totally happy with all my Rudy Project gear the new helmets rock, and the glasses are as superb as ever. I loved my CW-X sleeveless pro top; it worked great as my base layer for the race. I also loved racing in the Brooks Cascadia running shoes great trail shoes and great stability when ripping through the woods!
Results can be found at
http://genesisadventures.com/2006%20Harriman%20Sprint%20Results.pdf
There was also a professional photographer at the race pictures can be viewed at:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?myphotos?a=286104
and at
http://67.153.26.136/Capstone/results.faces
Race Update # 2
Ringwood, NJ ~ Jeep 12 Hour Adventure Race
With a good week of rain soaking the ground, and the skies still threatening more rain, the stage was set for a great adventure race. Trying to double up a sprint and then a 12 hour adventure race is not always easy but I felt ready to go. Again I was totally unsure of how this race would go a new race and two new teammates none of which are navigators as our navigator was spending Mothers Day with his wife. I knew I was strong and ready to race but you can’t race fast if you don’t know where you’re going.
The race stared well to put it lightly horribly we lost nearly an hour on the first section which was an orienteering section; this looked like the day was going to be exceptionally long. Soon after we corrected our mistakes and toke off on the second leg of the race the trek. Our navigational errors were behind us and we were able to slowly catch up to teams throughout the trekking section. The next transition was into the paddling section and this section went will without any major happenings just one eventful half mile portage with 85lb boats. We left the water on the final biking leg and made one more mistake, in the pre-race meeting the race organizers noted that we could use roads; we made the error of sticking to a pipe-line trail and that cost us some major time.
The final leg went smoothly with fairly clean navigation, and some sweet mountain biking with several epic climbs. We crossed the finish line feeling somewhat defeated but overall happy with the race, considering the lack of a navigator for the race. Our 2nd Place Finish in the Male Division was a nice bonus considering our ineffective navigation early on in the race. I was happy with my race as I was strong throughout the race able to set the pace on most of the sections and making all the extra runs to the Check points.
I was pleased with the race, having had my first chance to perform any form of Navigation in an adventure race. I made some great choices in the final bike leg that helped us cut time and catch a few teams along the way. Although racing with a team that is not sponsored is different then my previous experiences, I am already enjoying adventure racing for its real beauty the race, the challenge, and the personnel battles. I can say I may not be winning as many races as we did last year (With TEAM EMS) I am thoroughly loving being out there every minute!
Again all my equipment came through for me this race, given the chilly temperatures my CW-X clothes really helped me be able to race without worrying about being cold. The recover ease helped me come into the race feeling fresh even after last week’s torrid race. The Rudy project sunglasses and their interchangeable lenses were invaluable given the varying conditions throughout the day!
More soon… and thanks for all of your support!
With Fleet Feet,
Matty D
(Matthew M. Dougherty)
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