• Taking on the challenge of the Spirited Women adventure race

Taking on the challenge of the Spirited Women adventure race

Setting yourself a new challenge can be daunting. But the rewards can be life-changing.

Challenges can build self-confidence, reveal hidden talents and open new doors.

It’s easy to put things off, find excuses not to do something and stay snuggled up in the warm embrace of your comfort zone.

This can lead to feelings of stagnation, where life simply seems to pass you by. It’s times like this goal setting is very important and can be just the right medicine to get you up and going again.

Megan is known throughout the community for her many roles. Here she’s seen encouraging young swimmers at Havelock North Swim Club. 

 

Busy working mum, Megan McGinniss, needed incentive to get off the couch and put her running shoes back on. She had always enjoyed sport but motherhood, work and being a wife, left her very little time for her own well-being.

When a good friend offered her an opportunity to get out into nature and rekindle the sporting flame, she took it.

Sarah Cates interviews Megan about her recent step into adventure racing.   

What is an adventure race?

An adventure race can be many things! I was part of a 4 women team that completed the recent Spirited Women adventure race which was held in Gisborne a couple of weeks ago. We had to trail run/walk over farmland, kayak, mountain bike, map read and complete a surprise challenge. It certainly was an adventure!

What made you enter?

It was my friend – Kelly. She did it last year and loved it! She asked me if I wanted to be part of the team. I am not a trained athlete or anything remotely like that! But I thought “if she can do it, so can I”! It sounded like a great ‘girl’s weekend’ painting your nails and having a wine! I really needed something to get me moving again, so it seemed perfect.

How much training did you do?

Well, Kelly did it last year on very little training, so I wasn’t too worried about getting out there. I started training in January. Changes in work and the school holidays meant I could fit some, so I thought, decent training in. I started walking the trails on Te Mata Peak and biking the hills in Havelock North. The Peak became my training ground. It’s such a great place. Often the kids came with me, well - left me behind would be more truthful.

What distance did you enter?

We entered the shorter course. It was described as an ‘introduction to adventure racing that all women can achieve’. The name lured me into a false sense of security! I thought it would be easy, a bit of walking, a pleasurable mountain bike, some easy map reading and a scenic kayak! I thought my training regimen would prepare me well for it.

In reality?

(Megan laughs) When the grass started to move beneath my feet, I began to question my initial assumptions!

Did you experience any challenges?

Yes, I did! I couldn’t eat! Our race started at 11 am and it was hot. I hadn’t trained in the heat. In fact, I avoided training in the heat. I couldn’t get the food in and the energy gels made me feel sick.  Low energy combined with the heat and having to carry all your gear, really got to me. It was hard going!

Low points in a race can make your mind think all sorts of things, did this happen to you?

Only on the walk/run part where I really struggled. I just didn’t want to be the ‘weakest link’. I didn’t say this out loud, but it played on me. I felt like I was holding the rest of the team back. But my team were great. And that’s what this event is all about. They had to wait for me at the top of hills, but they were constantly encouraging. Luckily, they didn’t just take off when I got there!

I heard you had some help on the down-hills?

Haha! We ran (umm walked) across a working farm. Some of the downhills were really steep so we shimmied down our backsides. On one occasion I slid down the hill a bit faster, it was only when I got to the bottom, I realised I had shot straight through a freshly laid cow pat!

When did your race pick up?

Getting my shoes off and soaking my feet in the water before the kayak. I immediately cooled off. I knew, at this point I would finish the race.

The course is kept secret until the night before the race.

 

Did you manage to eat anything?

Not really. I should have tried other things. The rest of the team ate ham sandwiches and OSM bars. But they felt like sawdust in my mouth. Oh, don’t put chocolate on your bike! It melts! I had a bottle of warm powerade on my bike and that saved me really.

How was the bike?

For a ‘non-technical’ course it was hard! And I certainly don’t have a flash bike. Being farmland there was no track, but we followed the path where those had gone before us. I really wished I had done some training at Eskdale Mountain Bike Park; the Havelock Hills didn’t really cut it!

How did it feel to finish?

It was emotional! I was surprised by how I felt. I was almost a bit teary, but I hid this! It felt so good to complete it. Such a good achievement.

Will you do it again?

Yes! The 2020 event is being held in Central Hawkes Bay, there’s no way I am missing this!

What will you do differently?

Get some proper trail running shoes, work out a good nutrition plan and practice it, hills – hills – hills! Train in the middle of the day, run with my pack on, incorporate some mountain bike trails into my training, and get some orienteering experience!