Helpful Hints for First-Time “Hike” Racers

Very often, first-time participants in the “Hike” short-course event will write to us stating that they've never done a race of this format, and have absolutely no idea what to expect. This is actually a very encouraging trend, because it means that these people have taken the first step to try something new. We at STORM Racing have developed our “Hike” short-course events specifically to be an entry point into the world of adventure racing, primarily because we enjoy introducing beginner racers to a sport that we ourselves love so much. We want to make your first AR experience an enjoyable one, and we are ready and willing to assist in any way we can.

Because the element of the unexpected is such a major component of adventure-style multi-sport events, it is quite natural that they be a little intimidating (and perhaps even a little confusing) to those unfamiliar with the concept. As such, we have developed this page to try to help eliminate this intimidation factor, and to give beginner racers a better understanding of what to expect. The following sections have been prepared using feedback from past “first-time” participants, and well as suggestions and input from experienced racers. We hope you will find them useful, as you prepare yourself for Race Weekend.

Can I Do This?
What Do I Need To Do To Prepare?
Navigation
Helpful Tips From Past Participants
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Do This???

Absolutely, without a doubt! Our short-course events have drawn participants ranging from 12 years of age to 70, with ability levels varying from “very fit” to “I just like to enjoy the outdoors”. These events have been created to challenge the common perception that an adventure race must be an extreme test of endurance, suitable only for elite athletes. We custom-design them, to produce a racing experience that caters specifically to those who otherwise might shy away from events of this format. Whereas most event producers create racecourses to meet the demands of their top-end racers first, our approach with the “Hike” short-course race is exactly the opposite. And being racers ourselves, we are able to draw upon our own race experiences to determine what is “challenging” and what is just plain cruel (i.e. what is fun and what is not!)

However, if our word alone isn't enough to convince you, the easiest way to answer the question of “can I do this”, is to take into account the race distances involved. We are intentionally very open and honest with the distances of each race discipline, so that participants can determine which of our event formats are best suited to their abilities. Consider what distance you could reasonably foresee yourself completing in each of the race sections, and then compare that to the following: (keeping in mind that some sections may be split into two or more legs)

If you believe that you are capable of each of these distances on an individual basis, you will be pleasantly surprised by how very capable you are of completing them in back-to-back stages! In six years of running “Hike” events, we have yet to see a team that couldn't complete the course for reasons outside of injury or mechanical difficulties. Traditionally, the greatest obstacle faced by first-time racers in adventure race events is a mental one (just getting yourself to the Start Line). Once you accept that you are capable of meeting the challenge, you are already well on your way to achieving it!

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare?

Being suitably prepared can contribute significantly to one's success in a multi-sport adventure, but it's important to keep in mind that these events are intended to be “just for fun”. Without getting TOO caught up in your preparations, the following are some areas you may wish to give thought to in the weeks leading up to Race Weekend:

Training
Training is obviously an important component in any multi-sport race preparation plan, but there are many common misconceptions regarding longer-distance race training methods. It is important to remember that to successfully complete your first multi-sport adventure, you DO NOT need to complete all three race disciplines in a single training session. Go for a good run, get out on your bike, perhaps even do both on one day leading up to the race, but do not concern yourself with simulating the race itself; your base conditioning will serve you better on Race Day than you may think.

It is however, highly recommended that you to try to get some time in on the water, as paddling is traditionally the weakest of all race disciplines. Far too often, our “Hike” races will represent the very first time that some racers have ever been in a canoe or kayak, which can lead to a very wet and cold race experience! If possible, try to get a feel for the boat that you will be using on Race Day (or something similar) so that you know what to expect from it, and can be prepared to make the most effective use of it (i.e. comfortable seating position, preference of paddle type/length, easy access to food and water etc.). Having this knowledge beforehand can make a world of difference on Race Day.

Gear
Most “adventure”-style events typically require racers to carry a number of mandatory gear items with them throughout the race, and STORM the Trent is no different. This requirement is solely for the purpose of ensuring competitor safety - you can rest assured that we do not make you carry things simply for the sake of making the race more challenging. You may not ever have to use some or all of the items you are required to carry, however, this is an aspect of the race that we take very seriously, and we will penalize (and even disqualify) teams that do not comply with the race rules. Click here to view the racer gear list for “Hike” events.

In addition to the mandatory gear list, adventure-style events are by nature, quite gear-intensive. While we do not expect you to go spend a fortune on “stuff” to be suitably prepared for the race, the following are some additional items that have been found to be very useful on Race Day:

Backpacks: given that you are entirely self-sufficient while on the racecourse, the rule of thumb in STORM races is always to “be prepared to carry stuff”. Because you may not necessarily be returning to a central transition area between race stages (like in triathlon events), the layout of the course may involve having you bring gear such as running/biking shoes or bike helmets from one stage to the next. Although not mandatory, having a comfortable pack with the capacity to carry such items is highly recommended.

Hydration Systems: often found built-in to some backpack brands, a simple water bladder and hose allow for easy (and frequent) access to fluids that are so critically important in longer-distance racing events. Proper hydration helps to ensure that your body functions at its peak efficiency, and to avoid common race troubles such as muscle cramping and the dreaded “bonk”. Hydration systems from brands such as Camelbak can quite literally be the best gear investment you will ever make.

Bike Tools: spare tire tubes, tire levers, a tire pump, an Allan key and a chain-breaking tool, all have the potential to make the difference between finishing a race and having to be pulled off the course due to mechanical problems with your bike. More importantly, knowledge of their use is of the greatest value; having at least one team member with the ability to fix common bike issues such as a broken chain or flat tire is critical in an off-road event such as this.

Kayak Paddles: use of kayak paddles in canoes is allowed, and can be a significant advantage if you are not strong with traditional single-blade canoe paddles. The kayak paddle technique is generally more natural for beginner paddlers, and can allow for greater stoke efficiency between team members. However, it is important that the paddle be extendable, or that you choose one with a longer shaft to account for the extra height from which you sit in a canoe (i.e. versus a kayak, which is lower to the water).

Food & Drink
Simply put - bring lots! Adventure racing involves burning many calories over a long period of time, and a single bar, gel or water bottle just won't cut it in terms of keeping you re-fueled. Having plenty of food and water both available and accessible to you throughout the race is a key strategy to finishing strong. Each racer is required to have the capacity for 2L of water with them, and we highly recommend that you make full use of that volume, as water IS NOT provided on the racecourse. Racers are encouraged to even leave extra water with their boats and/or bikes in the transition areas when possible, to ensure that there is always extra available to you and your teammates.

In terms of what to eat and drink, with adventure-style races – the sky's the limit! If you like it, bring it, because when you are on your last legs during the later stages of the race, sometimes another high-protein/low-taste energy bar just isn't what you're craving. Making sure that you are taking in a regular flow of calories is of critical importance in longer-distance events of this format (don't worry – you WILL burn them off!), and you are far more likely to want to chow down on foods you like than foods you don't. Electrolyte-replacement drink mixes such as eLoad are also useful in boosting your calorie intake, as well as keeping you properly hydrated.

Organization
So you've got all your snacks, fluids and gear, but will you be able to find them quickly in a race situation? Unlike a triathlon event, where you are given space in a singular transition area to lay out your things, in a multi-sport adventure, you will not know the whereabouts (or frequency) of the transitions until Race Morning. And in addition to your mandatory gear (which you may be required to show race officials at various points in the race) and the items used in each race discipline, you will also have maps, a set of instructions, and a race “passport” to keep with you at all times. As such, keeping tabs on all these pieces, as well as making sure that they get to the Start Line with you, will be as important a consideration as any.

The racer information package sent to each team in the months prior to the race, will provide you with a very thorough overview of how Race Day will work - what you need to bring, where to be, when to be there, etc. etc. Be sure to review this document carefully, and use it to create lists to help organize yourself and your teammates. Some useful pre-race lists could include identifying who among your teammates will bring which pieces of mandatory gear, who will carry what throughout the race, things you may need to do prior to Race Day (i.e. bike tune-up, put the rack on the car etc.), food you will want to bring, a timeline for race morning (gear drop, check-in, pre-race briefing) and which articles of clothing will best suited to the weekend weather conditions.

Navigation

Unlike pure wilderness-based adventure races, our “Hike” events do not require racers to have advanced navigational skills. The format of these races is similar to that of an off-road triathlon; the major difference being that racers use a combination of race markers, course maps, and a set of instructions to make their way through the racecourse. On the morning of the race, each team is issued a colour race map indicating the location of the various “checkpoints” you will pass through, as well a list of written instructions indicating the order in which checkpoints and race disciplines are to be completed. Race routes are always marked with race markers and directional arrows. However, these course markings are placed only as a means of giving direction at key road or trail junctions, and for providing assurance that you are on the right track.

The important thing to remember with respect to navigation then, is that while you will not be required to use a compass and map-reading skills to make your way through the course, you will still want to be sure that you are constantly aware of your whereabouts on the map, and that you are always watching for race signage. Course marking is a task that we take very seriously, one that is completed the night prior to the race (usually after dark) to ensure that the markers are not tampered with. These markers will lead you through the land-based sections of the course, and the maps and race instructions will provide additional guidance throughout. As such, the chances of becoming “lost” in Hike events are virtually non-existent. However, with the absence of course marshals (as seen at running, mountain biking or triathlon events) adds an element of self-sufficiency to the mix, which beginner racers may not be accustomed to.

Helpful Tips From Past Participants

The following are a collection of useful tidbits from past STORM participants and experienced adventure racers, which you may want to consider when preparing for Race Weekend:

Help Your Teammates
Team-based racing is a very unique experience from that of traditional multi-sport events such as triathlon. Traditionally, it is the team which best uses its collective strengths and abilities to get all team members across the Finish Line that is the most successful, rather than the ones who boast the strongest individual members. If you are racing on a team, it is of utmost importance to recognize that your pace will ultimately be determined by that of your slowest teammate. Far too often, team members will become frustrated by the slower progress of others on the team, creating a less-than-enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

There are numerous means of assisting team members in addition to general support and words of encouragement. Offering to carry a teammate's pack to lighten their load is well within the race rules, and can make a significant difference in helping that team member get through a challenging section. More technical strategies include the use of tow systems between team members, allowing for bike-to-bike or runner-to-runner assistance, usually via a piece of surgical tubing. However, it is highly recommended to test any such systems out prior to Race Day, to ensure that it is both effective and safe to use.

Protect Your Maps and Instructions
Your race maps and instructions are your guide to the racecourse - you will need them to successfully complete the race. Unfortunately, paper has a nasty habit of disintegrating when it becomes wet, and no matter the weather conditions, “wet” is always a factor in adventure-based events. Whether it be spray from your paddles, sweat from your body, or the combination of rain and mud, moisture will more than likely find its way into your maps and instructions if not properly protected. A watertight map pouch or bag is included in the mandatory gear list, but having another team member carry a second one for backup or specifically for the race instructions is always a good strategy. True “gear geeks” will want to check out Axis Gear's brilliant Nav 360 bike map holder system, which allows racers to mount their race maps on their handlebars, thereby allowing them to view the map on the bike sections without stopping.

Make Sure Your Gear is in Working Order
Gear is like anything else - it has to be cared for and maintained to ensure that it remains useful. Far too often, racers will discover while on the racecourse that taking their bike in for that long overdue tune-up would have been a good thing to do prior to Race Day. Mechanical problems with bikes is the number one cause of teams not successfully completing a “Hike” race, most often due to issues with drive trains that could easily have been detected through a simple inspection by a mechanic.

Make Food and Liquids as Accessible as Possible
As mentioned in the sections above, regular re-fueling and re-hydrating are critical to finishing the race strong. However, it is easy to overlook the fact that if your food and drink supplies are not readily available to you at all times, you are more likely to forget about them in a race situation. Many backpack designs include front pouches and pockets specifically for this purpose, and/or hydration systems consisting of a water bladder and hose. There are also many creative “home-made” means of making food and water easily accessible on bikes and in canoes/kayaks as well, including taping gels and bars to your bike frame, fastening a small pouch with food to the thwarts of your canoe, or even sewing a mesh bag to your PFD for a water bladder!

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of canoes are available for rent?

Our rental supplier brings with them only lightweight kevlar canoes, complete with paddles and all required emergency gear (PFD's are not included).

Will a hybrid bike suffice as a “mountain bike”?

We leave that one up to you. Hybrids are certainly suitable for some of the backroad routes you will be on, but they may be a disadvantage should the weather be poor, or if the bike routes are wet and muddy. It is recommended that you at least use tires with a wider, more aggressive tread than is typically found on standard hybrid bikes.

Do we have to carry 2L of water with us at all times, or can we leave water with our bikes/boats?

All racers are required to have the capacity for a minimum of 2L of water. Whether you choose to carry that much we leave up to you. The key point to remember is that water will not be provided on the course, and that you may be out there for as many as 5 hours. You will want to be certain that you have access to fluids that will last you for the duration of the race.

Do I have to wear my lifejacket on the paddle?

All racers are required to wear their lifejackets during the paddle stage. The penalty for not doing so will be disqualification.

Will we have to carry our paddles or our bike gear throughout the race?

STORM events are formatted such that you will never have to lug unnecessary gear through the various race stages (i.e. paddles), but having the capacity to carry at least some gear items is highly recommended.

Will a ziplock bag suffice as a “waterproof map pouch” or as a “watertight bag”?

Yes (although it is not recommended for use as a map pouch).

My whole family is coming to watch me race. Where can I put them?

Adventure racing isn't much of a spectator sport, but the Finish Line is where most of the action will be. Team “supporters” are welcome to view the race map for ideas on where to capture that perfect Kodak moment, but we ask that they take care to not disrupt the flow of the race.