Discussion: Adventure Racing

How many people do adventure racing as well as orienteering?
how old were you when you started? whats a good age

How many people do adventure racing as well as orienteering?

Seven.

I, for one...sometimes. I competed in my first adventure race in 2001, at the age of 27. Now I organize short, pretty novice-friendly adventure races, and some parents have raced on teams with their 12-14-year-old children in my events, although most competitors in adventure racing are from generation X.

I do both as well, and I didn't start until (gasp!) age 40. But I know some high school students who adventure race very well, so I wouldn't place too much importance on the age you start. There are some skills you should have, and that varies considerably depending on the event. Knowing how to orienteer is a great start though!

Lots.
27 (Eco '97).
For dating?

Started both at 40.
Wish I started both much sooner.

Not me. As "Adventure" Racing usually means ultra long distance/time my advice would be after you have got to your best competitive level at a normal sport (i.e after about 35) and before injuries start to rule out such activities (before 39 - unless you are one of the really lucky people who don't get injured).

I do both, and started AR in my mid 20s. A "good age" for starting with AR is right now, frankly, as you can pick events that are as short or as long as you are comfortable with. Younger adventure racers often keep a higher pace, but for shorter races; older adventure racers usually race for longer distances, and have the mental toughness to excel.

I do both. I didn't start adventure racing until I was in my mid-30's. I am now almost 40. I find that as I get older - I look for longer or more navigation heavy races where speed is less of any issue. 4-6hr sprint races are fun but I can't compete with 20 somethings on speed alone.

Started AR at 33 (Fall Classic '06). Started orienteering way earlier (6 or 8?) and that helps. I enjoy both equally...or, with the risk to fall in disgrace on this site, I seem to enjoy more AR lately.

I started at age 53 or so. I only did it to help out a bud who needed an extra body to make a three-man team. he only asked me cause he knew I had run (very slowly) a few marathons and there was no-one else.

My thoughts are that doing adventure running is a lot easier than marathoning. I know, I know, everyone wants to brag about how tough this-or-that race is, but really, an AR is just chock full of changes of pace, incline, even walkies! Whereas the repetitive nature of raod running doesn't allow any of the involved muscles to rest.

As for age...I don't see how that applies. If you like the outdoors, just do it! Don't expect to wait until you're older to get in an easier age group. The 40s and above are all tough. Else they wouldn't be there.

Started when I was 46 years old....now 50....I race with my wife as a double and we focus on sprints 8 hours or less and we do ok....I cant seem to handle over 12 hours so we prefer the short races...doubt I will ever to 24 hours or more...oh and for urthbuoy, Adventure Racing is how I met my wife......

Did my first adventure race this year at age 62. Not sure I could get used to the bad maps and cryptic clues but I guess that's what makes it an adventure.
There are probably more important factors to starting AR than age. Having enough disposable income to afford the entry fees and to buy the toys you race with would be one that comes to mind. Reasonable level of fitness would be another.

I have just managed a team called "The MAGics" who have just completed their second Adventure Race in Canberra, Australia. They managed to come fourth in a mixed category against all adult teams. Youngest was 12, then 14, and 47. All three Orienteer and Mountain Bike Orienteer. I'm too slow to race with them, thats why I'm a team manager. If in doubt on whether you are capable, ring the organisers and have a chat, or Just Do It.

I started four years ago at 38 with orienteering and started AR a couple months later. I, like Frankj, have tried marathons and ultras and I find that I feel much worse after a road marathon than even some of the 36 hour AR's I've done. Not sure why. On the age thing, I've seen some sprint races that allow parent/child teams with kids as young as 11. I've seen one day races with 16 year age limits. You would be surprised how helpful race directors are if you just ask them. They may allow someone under the age limit if you can fill them in on experience and skill.

thanks. i heard that endurance increases with age is that true?

HaHa. OK. No more old jokes. The only real change I believe happens is mental. As we age, we "become less comfortable being uncomfortable".

So, if failing makes you feel bad about yourself, you will keep on going where someone less determined will say "well, I tried" and quit. Another side would be that we (and I can say we cause i fit the old-timer category) are doing these races because we really want to. They are not just filler in between night outs and other debauchery. (Unfortunately). They sort of define a bit of ourselves. So they are important.

Endurance? I doubt it. Only if the individual is doing plenty of training. Probably harder to develop/maintain than for a young person.

With age comes experience and temperment. No matter how bad it is because of conditions or other problems, I just tell myself that it is nothing compared to a slow divorce.

ebone, ksumner11 and pearl62 - we should be very careful about subjecting kids to ultra distances. To selectively quote from the International Marathon Medical Directors Association (full article at http://aimsworldrunning.org/articles/Children&Mara... ) - "Children are not small adults. Their anatomy and physiology are developing and not fully mature. Risk factors unique to the growing child are numerous - stress fractures, Immature articular cartilage is more susceptible to shear force; Children are also prone to injury at apophyses such as the tibial tubercle; children do not adapt to heat stress as well as adults etc."

I always thought endurance increases with endurance training, so in simplistic terms: the earlier you start, the better.

I get immense enjoyment from both O and AR, although they're very different experiences.