Welcome to our Female Focus pages, a series of pages and
information designed to provide encouragement, inspiration and support
for women to get into adventure racing and the range of off-road
adventure sports it encompasses.
Whilst the popularity of adventure sports increases with fields
growing around the country, female participation levels are
surprisingly low – and I say ‘surprisingly low’ because we know that
women are just as adventurous and just as capable as anyone else and
like getting muddy as well! So these pages are designed to who you that
anyone can do an adventure race, and with the new Anaconda Mini now up
and running around the country there is a new comer friendly race that’s
just around the corner.
So read on ladies for some ideas and inspiration for how you
can get amongst the action (and if you have any other ideas and
resources then let us know)
Female Adventure
Ambassadors
For 2012 we have appointed Five Female Ambassadors for
Adventure Racing to help illustrate and provide encouragement to all
women and show that YOU TOO CAN DO IT no matter what your background is.
Each of these women are in a different situation – either as athletes
and/or mothers, professional employed corporates or of a veteran age but
still cranking. We have given 5 Ambassadors a Question and Answer to
demonstrate how they manage training and work commitments and still
having a family/life balance . . . it is achievable!
Female
Ambassadors
Name: Deanna Blegg
Occupation: Mother/ Health
Promotions
Where you live: Kangaroo ground,
VIC
Age: 40-45
1. What are your sporting objectives for the
year?
Stay Fit and Healthy.
Race and Train and have Fun
Be Stong in Mind and Body
Final goal for the year is compete in the ‘Worlds Toughest Mudder’ a 24
hour Tough Mudder Event. Woo Hoo.
2. Name three things that get you excited about
Adventure Racing?
Adventure Racing is a sport which takes you off the beaten
trail to beautiful locations around the state/country or world.
I think it is the unpredictability of course and the weather and how
those two combine that leaves each part of the event an adventure
despite whether you are familiar with the course or not.
The adventure racing crowd are very friendly, encouraging and fun which
also makes the events fun to attend.
3. Tell me a little about your background in
Adventure Sports – how did you get into it
initially?
I remember seeing a flyer for
the Anaconda Adventure Race in 2005. Excitedly I picked it up
thinking ‘Wow that looks fantastic. I can do this. I can win this.’
At the time my daughter was 7 and my son 3. At the time I was really
searching for a goal, something I could sink my teeth into. Generally I
was fit, hadn’t ridden a mountain bike for over 20 years, never paddled
yet was a competent swimmer and runner.
The training for the first event meant hiring a MTB, Hiring a plastic
ski and turning up for the Rapid Ascent familiarisation day just under a
month before the event. It was there I realised There was much
training needed to be crammed into a month.
4. What are your main motivations when it comes
to Adventure Sports?
Adventure and multisport racing is a passion. Having lots of
different disciplines to focus on allows me never to get tired of the
training. I train and race because of my love for the sport, the places
it takes you and the people you meet as well as the goals that can be
achieved. When my passion for the sport ceases so will I and I will
move onto something else.
5. What are your particular strengths and
weaknesses in Adventure Racing?
“Make your Weakness you Strength” I started the sport being a
very weak paddler. I can’t yet say it is my strength; however it is
certainly has improved. I think my strength is that I am a strong
competitor in each of the disciplines and I am not afraid to front what
challenges lay ahead.
6. How do you balance the demands of training
with work, family and lifestyle?
Work, Family and training become my lifestyle. Due to the ebb
and flow of life I have a very flexible view to my training. I work 2-3
days a week, do not have a coach and have never followed a training
program. For me it is about finding a healthy balance of the above. It
means much of what I do is set in sand, not concrete. I love rest days
and I time them around the weekends with the family. On days off I
train when the kids are at school. When I work in town I add training
sessions before and after work whilst I am in town.
7. Any recommendations for females thinking of
doing a race, in terms of training, gear and having
fun?
Adventure racing is a thrilling sport and I do encourage more
women to experience it. For those that are thinking about it I
recommend to set some small goals first.
The Anaconda Mini is a great starting place. If you
feel you are not up to the whole thing put a team of friends together,
or find someone you can do half and half with. Test the waters. The
paddle seems to be the most confronting. There are sessions run by Peak
Adventure at Sandridge SLSC which is invaluable. For $15 you get a
boat, life jacket and a paddle as well as an hour group session. It is
highly recommended to get a few individual sessions under your belt
first so you have more 1 on 1 contact.
The MTB can also seem bit scary. Start on some bike path trails
and as your fitness and experience builds up move on to the fire and
single trails. There are quite a few bike shops that run social rides
too. Gran Prix Bicycles in Glen Huntly have a great MTB hire service and
lessons too.
8. What do you say to those women who see Adventure Racing
as an intimidating sport or one that is unachievable by
them?
It is amazing what women can achieve if they believe they can.
It is about finding belief
first. Baby steps,
bit by bit. Encouragement is important and also the goal
achievable.
9. Finally, if you could have dinner with any-one
(living or dead) who would it be and what would you
eat?
Pink
Lamb shanks
Name: Aunty Jan
Occupation: Adventure sports
coach
Where you live: Noosa Heads
Age: 50-55,
Have you done an Adventure Race before? What, how
did you go? /If not what is your sporting
background?
Yes….I have done nearly all of the Anaconda races and plenty of
navigating-style events. Went very well in the veteran female
division….won every race in the 2006 series…..then went well in the
vintage division….given there were hardly any other vintage competitors…
Raced in the Pairs category once in Lorne which was fun…. My highlight
would be competing in the Alps to the Ocean 5 day AR with partner
Kim….we had a fantastic time on a fantastic course….with many other
fantastic people!
1. What are your sporting objectives for the
year?
Continue to challenge myself but also enjoy all these great
events….and to help other women get involved in the sport of adventure
racing and multisport…..and to compete in the 5-day Mark Webber
Challenge stage race with Kim in December!
2. Name three things that get you excited about
Adventure Racing?
The beautiful areas they are
staged in, the ever-changing landscape on which the events are staged
and the friendliness of the people competing alongside me in these
events.
3. Tell me a little about your background in
Adventure Sports – how did you get into it
initially?
I had done some triathlon training with Guy Andrew’s dad (Col,
who is now in his 70’s) and he was getting into adventure sport because
Guy was into it…. Before I knew it, I was learning to paddle and ride a
mtb (all in my mid-40’s…) Col & I teamed up for a few
rogaines….and then did some small adventure races together…. Since then I
have never looked back….and have never done another
triathlon….
4. What are your main motivations when it comes
to Adventure Sports?
It is easy to get excited
about adventure sports because they are never boring….always
changing….and frequently cause a great adrenalin high and I’m not too
old for this stuff yet!
5. What are your particular strengths and
weaknesses in Adventure Racing?
I think my strengths are my capacity to enjoy events….no matter
how challenging they become.....also, the ability to pace myself so as
to get to the finish line… Weaknesses….Well, probably should do a lot
more ocean paddling….still a bit of chicken with this…..but manage to
get through most events somehow!
6. How do you balance the demands of training
with work, family and lifestyle?
Our business is coaching and training people for adventure
sports…..and lifestyle is really part of the nature of the sport…..we
spend a lot of our days out planning courses or training sessions….but
still manage to end up at a nice café or share rewarding drinks with
friends after all of this!
7. Any recommendations for females thinking of
doing a race, in terms of training, gear and having
fun?
Don’t wait till you think you are fit enough as most of this
sport is not about elite performances…. Start with the basic gear….join a
group of like-minded people….you will be having fun before you know it
and also reaping the rewards of participating in endurance sport….and
going to some amazing places whist doing all of the above….It’s win-win
really… ?
8. What do you say to those women who see
Adventure Racing as an intimidating sport or one that is unachievable by
them?
Just look at what I have done
since I started AR in my mid 40’s….Learned new skills, found that
enjoying events is better than winning them, raced events from 6 hours
up to 5 days…..and now I’m in my 50’s I still never want to stop this
exciting sport!
9. Finally, if you could have dinner with any-one
(living or dead) who would it be and what would you
eat?
I would have dinner with my partner Kim….at the Brahminy
Campsite on the Cooloola Great Walk….watching the sunset….eating a
rehydrated home-made red curry cooked up on the Jetboil….and drinking a
good Shiraz decanted into plastic for the trek!
Name: Sally
BROUWER
Occupation: Police Officer
Where you live: Brisbane
Age: secret!
Have you done an Adventure Race
before? NO
What, how did you go? /If not what is your
sporting background? Triathlon
1. What are your sporting objectives for the
year?
10km Gold Coast
2. Name three things that get you excited about
Adventure Racing?
• New challenge,
• It’s about the race - not about how good you look or how expensive
your equipment is (or so I’ve heard)
• the word “adventure”
3. Tell me a little about your background in
Adventure Sports – how did you get into it
initially?
Never done it
4. What are your main motivations when it comes
to Adventure Sports?
Challenging myself with something new
5. What are your particular strengths and
weaknesses in Adventure Racing?
Hopeless at orienteering, hate the cold. Love competing, have
triathlon background so I’m assuming this will be of some
benefit????
6. How do you balance the demands of training
with work, family and lifestyle?
Have a great husband, time management, organisation and a sense
of humour (for the days when you ask yourself “how the hell did I get
myself mixed up in all of this”)
7. Any recommendations for females thinking of
doing a race, in terms of training, gear and having
fun?
The first step is always the hardest. Sit down, plan your goals
then organise time for training and surround yourself with inspiring
people.
8. What do you say to those women who see
Adventure Racing as an intimidating sport or one that is unachievable by
them?
Says who??????
9. Finally, if you could have dinner with any-one
(living or dead) who would it be and what would you
eat?
My Mum – she died when I was 6 and I have so many questions.
I’d have a T-bone steak with a variety of salads and pavlova for
dessert
Name: Jacqui
Hickey
Occupation: Surface Water Engineer for
Fortescue
Where you live: Cottesloe, WA
Age: 30-35
Have you done an Adventure Race before? What, how did you
go? /If not what is your sporting background?
Very sporadically over the last 5 years i have embarked on a
few adventure races here and there including the Anaconda in Lorne and
the Anaconda in Augusta, a few urbanish ones and the Upper Murray
Challenge.
1. What are your sporting objectives for the
year?
Mmm still formulating them for this year as recovering from
glandular fever, but as a minimum, my goal would be to get my fitness
back to a level where i can enjoy smashing out a few adventure races
like the Anaconda Augusta and big mountain bike races like the
Dwellingup 100km.
2. Name three things that get you excited about
Adventure Racing?
Getting dirty in
scenic places with very cool people.
• Adventure racing is all about getting dirty, getting wet then
dirty again; accumulating salt stains on your cap and jersey and
making your own Jackson Pollock masterpiece as you smear layers of
fruity flavoured gu and other energy products across your face and
thighs.
• The scenery is stunning and you see it all under your own leg and arm
power.
• The cool people in the race, in the support crew and the random kids
that pass you cups of homemade lemon on some random road half way into
the run legs (god bless them!)
3. Tell me a little about your background in
Adventure Sports – how did you get into it
initially?
I think i can blame Sam Maffett for this! Years ago i remember
Sam training for (what i thought at the time) a ridiculously hardcore 2
day race in the Victorian Alps. It went from Hotham down into the
Mitta Valley and then back up to Omeo, in WINTER! A few years later i
found myself competing in it. The first leg was a 18km cross country
skate that started by heading up the main summit ski run. Despite
having only skated 3 times before the event, i completed the skate and
the remainder of the race (run, ride paddle etc etc ) and the rest is
legendary......well perhaps not but here i am today, with the adventure
bug, still throwing myself into these challenges still a little under
prepared.
4. What are your main motivations when it comes
to Adventure Sports?
Probably the adrenalin you get when you do things that are
outside your comfort zone. The chance to explore the more remote parts
of our country is also a bit factor in why i love adventure sports as is
the fact you get to spend good time outside in the elements,
reconnecting with our landscape.
5. What are your particular strengths and
weaknesses in Adventure Racing?
My biggest weakness is that I get
sea sick. My second biggest weaknesses are my left leg and the fact i
love chocolate. But my biggest areas for improvement are my swim and
paddle legs.
My strengths include my inherited stubbornness which helps me
through the paddle when i feel very seasick, and my ability to swear
profusely (under my breath and whilst paddling) at John Jacoby for
making the paddle leg 14kms.
6. How do you balance the demands of training
with work, family and lifestyle?
Good question! Work life balance can be a struggle for many of
us who work demanding jobs, parents etc etc and if you are not careful,
weeks can go by before you realise you haven’t done any decent heart
beating training but perfected the 5km easy jog around the
block.
As I have limited time i can commit to training, my strategies
for work life balance include:
• Using my commute to work as part of my training
• Train with friends so i catch up on the goss whilst also getting
fitter
• Making things easy, like have access to a gym at lunchtime for those
days i slept in etc;
• Being somewhat flexible with my training, as it has to fit in around
work, family and friends all of which can be unpredictable....
7. Any recommendations for females thinking of
doing a race, in terms of training, gear and having
fun?
Unless your next pay packet depends on winning, i would keep
training fun, but make sure it is challenging a few times a week. If
you can, try and do some training with some other females. Girl power
shouldn’t be understated. It can be a great way to build confidence and
also get exposed to the amazing feats that other females can
accomplish.
As for gear, if you
are small and lightweight, getting the right gear can really improve the
fun factor. The bike and paddle legs tend to favour the men as they
have inherent strength. So try and make sure your bike is the right
size and light and your boat is light/fast without trading off too much
instability, unless of course you have guns of steel!
8. What do you say to those women who see
Adventure Racing as an intimidating sport or one that is unachievable by
them?
If doing it solo is too intimating, try it in a team or with a
friend as a marathon pair. If you are lacking confidence for any of the
legs there are plenty of training groups to join or places to get
lessons. Just give it a go and you will surprise yourself. Remember that
apart from about 20 odd people at these adventure racers, the rest of
us are participants, just like you, wanting some fresh air and to try
something a bit different to norm.
9. Finally, if you could have dinner with any-one
(living or dead) who would it be and what would you
eat?
It would have to be Nelson Mandela (i know, not adventure
racing theme, but he would be really cool to talk to) and we would eat
some strangle African dish cause steak and three veg would just be
weird.
Name: Peri Gray
Occupation: Service Director at YMCA
Anglesea Recreation Camp
Where you live: Jan Juc
Age: 30-35
Have you done an Adventure Race before?
Yes
What, how did you go?
I’ve been racing adventures and multi-sport events for a few
years and have enjoyed a range of successes and podium places in recent
years. I still feel like I’m getting better and faster (which is nice)
and list my best result as winning the Marysville to Melbourne
Multisport Challenge in 2012.
1. What are your sporting objectives for the
year?
This year I would really like to work on my strength and my
technical riding to improve my race results. I need to improve my rock
hopping and single track riding. I have many races pencilled in for the
year and of course I hope to do well at all of these and improve on last
year. I would also really love to help get more women involved the
sport. I enjoy seeing people complete things they thought were never
possible and I believe a lot of women think they can’t complete an
adventure race, but they can.
2. Name three things that get you excited about
Adventure Racing?
All the awesome people
you meet along the way and the amazing places you see when you race.
The training leading up to a race and the feeling you get when you the
cross the finish line and all the work is done!!
3. Tell me a little about your background in
Adventure Sports – how did you get into it
initially?
I initially came from a triathlon background achieving many
good results. I was starting to get bored of running and riding on the
road. I did Anaconda Lorne in a team and realised how much fun adventure
racing was. The next year I did the whole thing on my own and have not
done another triathlon and have since been concentrating on adventure
racing.
4. What are your main motivations when it comes
to Adventure Sports?
My main motivations are to do well and to do a variation of
races so I can see many amazing places. Adventure races are held in such
beautiful environments, places you may never see unless you were
racing, that’s what I love about it.
5. What are your particular strengths and
weaknesses in Adventure Racing?
From a young age I
have always had good endurance and I believe this would be one of my
biggest strengths. I don’t excel in any leg, but my endurance gets me
through. My weakness’s would be technical mountain biking, I am such a
girl when it comes to this!!!
6. How do you balance the demands of training
with work, family and lifestyle?
I don’t have a family of my own yet so that makes life easy!! I
would love to see my mum, dad, brothers and sisters more, but they are
always at my races supporting me!!! My partner is very good about it
all. He puts up with the early nights, early mornings and me being tired
and sore a lot of the time and also trains with me sometimes and makes
me work a lot harder than I probably would if I was on my own!! My boss
at work(Vicki) is fantastic and so supportive of what I do and is great
about my working hours, so I am also very lucky for the job and the boss
I have. Socially I will pretty much drop most social occasions to go on
an adventure or to get my training session in. Some may say that is not
a good thing but training and racing is what I love. I won’t be able to
compete at the level I am forever so I may aswell get in as much as I
can while I can. It also helps that most of friends are involved in the
same stuff and are always up for a fun adventure. So training time is
also very social.
7. Any recommendations for females thinking of
doing a race, in terms of training, gear and having
fun?
To make sure you get advice from other people who are already
involved in the sport. Adventure racing training is different to any
other sport. You need to ride and run lots of hills, train on different
types of terrain and go out in any condition, as races will be run in
any conditions!!! Don’t go out and buy all of the best gear as you don’t
need it. Having the best bike doesn’t make you a better rider. Going
out and riding makes you a better rider!! Borrow some gear to find out
what works for you, before you spend a heap of money and ask different
people their opinions. Most of all make sure you have some great people
to train with and have fun. If training isn’t fun you are not going to
get out of bed at 5.30am to train ?
8. What do you say to those women who see
Adventure Racing as an intimidating sport or one that is unachievable by
them?
Nothing is
unachievable. If you think it is unachievable it will be. It’s all in
the mind. It doesn’t take a lot to just complete an adventure race and
this, in itself is an achievement. Don’t put any pressure on yourself
for times or placing, just go out there and enjoy it. Consider it more
of an adventure/journey than a race and you won’t find it intimidating.
Start with something small and work your way up to something a little
longer. Once you have done one race, trust me you will be addicted.
Embrace the adventure and you will be inspired.
9. Finally, if you could have dinner with any-one
(living or dead) who would it be and what would you
eat?
I would have dinner with my mum and dad. Corny I know, but
these are two of the most inspirational people I know and have made a
huge impact on my life and have made me who I am today and I don’t know
what I would do without them. They have given me so much support and
advice along the way and I can’t thank them enough for this. I would
start dinner with a nice bottle of merlot, some take away wood fire
pizza and top it off with some sticky date, strawberries and ice cream
(as I don’t get to eat like that very often!!!). Oh and maybe a sneaky
baileys on ice as a night capper ?