A few weeks ago I was interviewed by Justin Judkins of CrossFit Radio. CFR is CrossFit's weekly podcast interview show that started in 2008. You can find it on iTunes, or through the CrossFit Journal. Over the last few years I have listened to dozens of these podcasts during long workouts or long drives here in California. I enjoy Justin's positive style and hearing how the top CF athletes and coaches think. Speaking with him was a pleasure and an honor. The podcast can be found on iTunes, or directly from the CrossFit Journal website (which, by the way, is a great deal for 20 bucks a year...it's a treasure-trove of information).
During our interview we discussed the stark differences between Adventure Racing (24hrs to 7+ days nonstop multisport navigation racing) and Obstacle Racing (5k to marathon length obstacle course races and runs), how magazines have confused the two lately, and how CrossFit athletes can get involved in either of these events. We spent a small amount of time on my athletic background, but my main focus with this opportunity was to distinguish the differences while explaining how one might train to compete or complete as a soloist or with a team.
CrossFit athletes are a competitive tribe. Why not take that competitive spirit and multi-dimensional fitness and express it outside of the Box? Adventure Racing might not be for everyone, with it's requirement for land navigation skill, but Obstacle Course Racing is EXPLODING so finding one in your area should not be a problem. If you just want a taste of Obstacle Course Racing, The Tough Mudder is a "friendly" untimed event. They are well-run, and attract upwards of 10,000 athletes at each event. For athletes interested in a timed, competitive event, the Spartan Race series in particular offers a RACE that will challenge the fittest CrossFitters and trail runners. "Elite Athletes" have the "Elite Heat". Others can enter the "Open" category and compete against their friends and teammates. More information on Spartan Race can be found at www.spartanrace.com
It seemed appropriate, if not necessary, to end the interview with a question and CHALLENGE to CrossFitters. I had to take the golden opportunity to throw down the gauntlet...
What are you going to do with all of that indoor fitness you have built through CrossFit? Is nuking yourself for no other purpose than to nuke yourself again, faster, sustainable? Get outside! Play! Challenge yourself and your buddies outdoors, with your friends, your dog, your significant other. On your feet, on a bike, on a kayak. Bring your dog! EXPRESS that fitness in the sunshine or moonlight. Make it fun. Compete in a Spartan Race, or build a team, learn navigation and enter an Adventure Race. Just get your butt in the mountains, ocean or woods and leave your Garmin at home. Enjoy the music of your breath and throbbing heart beat instead of Skrillex, just for a day. Think Outside "The Box". Give that training and heroic work capacity a purpose... deeper than number on a whiteboard. By pushing yourself or just finding your center OUTSIDE, you'll find out who you really are INSIDE.
For a listen, click below:
http://journal.crossfit.com/2012/09/crossfit-radio-episode-241.tpl
If you are interested in giving Adventure Racing a go, check out my team DART-nuun's promo video we made a couple years ago. This is footage we shot with our GoPro cameras during races around the world, and will give you a good idea of what you have in store. If you're interested in finding a race in your neck of the woods in the USA, CheckPoint Tracker has a series of Sprint (6-12hr), 24hr to Expedition (72-100hr) Adventure Races, as well as a teammate finder. www.checkpointtracker.com If you are interested in learning about adventure racing-style land navigation, obstacle racing training and want information on how to hydrate and fuel, contact me directly at enduranceresearch AT gmail DOT com
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