‘We need another challenge’, she said. ‘Ok!’, I said. And now here we are, several hours into the 2023 Summer Challenge Women’s Adventure race. The fatigue is setting in. My legs are concrete. And there is still the orienteering to come.
It’s late February in the glorious Marlborough Sounds at Ngakutu Bay. A few hours earlier we find ourselves in the midst of 150 other women looking variously nervous, happy, fit and fierce, waiting in anticipation to start. Staring at our inflatable kayak for the first time, we wonder out loud where we are supposed sit.
Assigned the role of steerer (having made the mistake of taking a shower while the others discussed tactics over breakfast), we eagerly listen to nearby teams hoping to pick up tips. Taking pity on us, teams either side demonstrate how to handle the flighty beasts and wish us luck. We are all soon on the water doing battle with the kayaks. The spirit of camaraderie on the water is palpable with much laughter all teams work hard to go in straight lines rather than circles and get to the check points. Somehow, we manage to get round the course -Maree and Helen doing a great job of powering us through – and we are soon back on shore heading for our bikes.
I interrupt this blog to share a top tip: changing into bike shorts while wet is not a good idea. I’ll leave the details to your imagination and refer you to my previous musings in ‘Slow down – and go faster
I’m not alone in finding the mountain biking tough. we are part of a long snake of riders, pushing bikes up the steep, slippery slopes of the single track. The cracks start to show as some teams leave riders behind and jockey for position. Happily for me, Helen and Maree provide much needed encouragement as my novice skills are put to the test. The glorious birdsong however can’t drown out my puffing. When will it end? Finally, some downhill back into town and I surprise myself (and the team) enjoying the descents.
Pretty spent Stage 3 looms. The orienteering section is mine to lead, my team-mates having confessed early on to being directionally challenged. Maree confirmed this having become lost on the way back from the loo at race start. Team tethers had been discussed.
At the first fork in the track we encounter a number of teams milling about debating which of 3 routes to take. Arguments are breaking out for some and they grind to a halt. My team-mates look at me expectantly. Map and terrain not matching, it’s decision time. I point right and head off. A few minutes later I look around to find not only Helen and Maree but loads of people following me expectantly. I feel the pressure – what if I’m wrong? I am in equal parts relived and ecstatic to emerge sometime later right on top of the checkpoint. Result.
An unexpected swim challenge is thrown up at Bob’s Bay. Discovering one of our team has not plunged headlong into the water we return to shore to gather her up and work together to get us all out to the check point and back. A highlight of the day. The finish line getting closer, we dig deep and are soon welcomed home on the Picton foreshore by the awesome Wendy and Summer Challenge crew. You’d have thought we’d come first based on the reception we got. The same enthusiasm welcomes every single participant.
What a grand adventure. Not an elite athlete amongst us we somehow managed together what we couldn’t have alone. Akaroa in ’24? You bet.
As so often in life, insights are hiding in plain sight. Here are a few from the Summer Challenge
- Battle the problem not each other. For stage 1 of the Challenge we all had the same problem – keeping the kayaks on course. The generosity of more experienced teams meant we all had a good chance of getting round the course. How generous are you with your knowledge? How willing are you to help others succeed? How will you lift the performance of the group as well as your own?
- Be a learner and a leader – Recognise when you can lead and when you are learning and need others to lead. Be nimble between the two and don’t get too comfortable in either.
- Together we have everything we need. I worried about my riding while totally under-appreciating my water and navigation skills. My team mates are both really strong on the bike. Focus on what you have and get resourceful.
- Embrace unexpected opportunities. Turns out I loved steering the kayak and was pretty decent at it. Who knew? My team-mates made a great call. How well does your team know each other’s strengths? How well do you make use of them?
- Recognise when you need help – and get it. Getting some basic bike training made a huge difference to my enjoyment, attitude and contribution. Are you getting help when you need it?
- Keep challenging yourself. You’re bound to learn something and if you have a great team around you, you’ll have fun while you do it.
With thanks to my Making the Most of Now teammates Maree and Helen and to Mary and the Wheel Women crew for making descending fun.
©Ann Braithwaite 2023
