Transitioning to AR

This month TMSM guest columnist Bernie Shrosbree writes on making the transition from triathlon to adventure racing. As an ex-British Marine specialising in Mountain and Arctic warfare, Shrosbree can tell you a thing or two about pushing mental and physical limits! These days he’s also working with F1 champ Mark Webber, and preparing competitors for the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge this November.

It’s interesting to be asked about crossing over from tri’s to adventure racing. My sporting background has been the reverse of this, but I guess I’m the exception, rather than the rule. A big part of making the move from tri to adventure racing is deliberately taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Being in the Marines taught me a lot about mental preparation. Forgetting the physical side for the moment, if any of us are given a challenge or goal outside our comfort zone, the factors that stop us are self-belief, confidence, the ability to perform, and issues around dealing with personal failure.

I have a saying, ‘how hard is hard?’ No need for an explanation, just truly ask yourself are you really too tired to train, or is it yet another excuse to add to the list of why you didn’t bother. In all reasonable circumstances, just go and make it happen.

When you make the transition from one skilled sport to another, there is always a conditioning phase you need to go through. This is due to the change in intensity and the use of other muscle groups. You may be ‘fit’ in a triathlon sense, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to kayak for eight hours straight. In addition, with the switch from tri to adventure racing you have the added problem of navigation skills and teamwork.

I learnt the hard way from my youth that you are better off spending time mastering technique rather than pushing your way through the disciplines. Experienced triathletes are aware that when they have laid off the swimming for a while, they quickly lose their feel for the water. So imagine what it’s like when you take on new disciplines that vary in skills, strength and biomechanical change, like kayaking or rock climbing.

Navigation plays a big part in most adventure races so this should not be overlooked. If you want to get some rest during major adventure races, ensure that a team member has strong map and compass skills, or it will be a long and frustrating few days. I personally prefer the ready marked courses, where it’s a true test of physical ability rather than an exercise in navigation, so pick your first race carefully.

Training for adventure races is not easy because there are so many factors to consider. Unlike tri’s which are usually done and dusted in a day, sleep deprivation, nutrition in terms of what and when to eat, teamwork, navigation and finally, mastering new activities all play a part.

For your first adventure race ensure that you are well briefed on what is expected of you and your team. Each skill level from kayaking to rock climbing, mountain biking and rough terrain running should be taken seriously by each individual in order to achieve the targets set out in their training plan. Navigational skills should also be mastered to perfection, as this is often the main differentiator between winning and losing.

As with the Marines, no operation should be embarked upon without a full rehearsal, and team members should each know their role within the team. Ensure you can change a tyre in the dark and fix damaged bike components competently; these are factors that will cost you dearly when under pressure and tired. Think about what action should be taken if you are lost. Sitting in your house planning an adventure race can be fun, but make sure you keep the fun going when things don’t go to plan.

While competing in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 – when triathlon was a demonstration sport – I was asked if I would like to do the NZ Coast to Coast race. I hope to do that before I’m 50-years-old (only two years to go this January!), so I can definitely say that once you get into adventure racing, it’sin your blood.

The best advice is to think it, plan it, but most of all, enjoy it!

Who is Bernie Shrosbree?

Bernie Shrosbree has competed at an international level in triathlon and biathlon and has taken part in numerous adventure and endurance events. These days, Shrosbree specialises in Human Performance Consultancy, and has worked with the Subaru World Rally Team, Scott Olympic Mountain Bike Team, British Olympic Rowing Team and extensively in Formula 1, where he met and trained Mark Webber. Webber has since persuaded Shrosbree to lend his talents as a trainer to the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge – an event set up by Webber to raise money for the Cancer Council Tasmania’s Cancer Plus Program and TLC for Kids.

The Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge takes place from November 5-10 and is a six-day 600 kilometre adventure race across some of Tasmania’s most beautiful wilderness. Webber and his fellow competitors will run, hike, kayak and cycle their way through a course designed to push them to the absolute limit physically and mentally. Webber will be joined by legendary adventure racer Guy Andrews, white water kayak champion Matt Dalziel, British Olympic rower James Cracknell and Ironwoman Grace McClure, among others.

For more info visit www.markwebberchallenge.com.