Preparing for your first Storm

For many, Storm will be their first-ever attempt at an adventure racing event.  A common question we start to get in these final months is around what the best ways are to prepare for Race Day.  Here are a couple of simple tips by discipline:

Run/Trek Sections

Teams must remain together at all times during the race, so get out to your local park or conservation area to practice moving at whatever pace you think everyone on the team can sustain, whether it be a power hike or blistering run.
 
Tip for Beginners:  Head out to a park or conservation area that you haven't been to before or aren't overly familiar with.  Draw a route out on the park map, and practice following along while moving at a running or jogging pace.
 
Efficiency Tip:  Test out tactics to keep everyone moving together as quickly as possible.  Try coordinating weekly runs as a team, and practicing running with your Race Day mandatory gear (or having the stronger runners carry the load!)

Bike Sections
 
During early spring it may be challenging (and damaging) to ride on your local trails if they are still icy or muddy.  As soon as the weather allows, start riding on country/gravel roads or rail trails, building up the distance a little more week by week.  Try to incorporate mixed terrain types and at least a few hills into your rides as much as possible.  Storm always has a few hills on the bike course!
 
Tip for Beginners: Try riding hills - starting with some easy ones, and adding one or two each week.  
 
Efficiency Tip:  Ride together as a team if you can, and practice riding in a pace line.

Paddle Sections
 
Given the early-season timeframe, Storm will be the first paddle of the season for most racers.  Its more than likely that you will be relying on your previous paddle experience come Race Day.   If you really want to prepare for the paddle but can’t get on the water, try to work on your shoulder and core strength. 
 
Tip for beginners:  If at all possible, get your team into a canoe before the race to determine who is the strongest in the stern (or if racing as a team of 4 - who should be in what boat).
 
Efficiency tip:  If you have access to them, kayak paddles are generally faster and easier to steer with.

Happy Adventuring!  See you in May!