6:30am - “This is our first 24 hour race”
Adventure racing is a sport that anyone who has the desire can get involved with. What starts out as trying something new can grow to a 20+ year obsession for some racers, but the first 24+ hour race for everyone is always a trial by fire. If you have raced shorter times, perhaps up to 12 hours, you may be familiar with the sprint aspects of adventure racing. When the sun goes down though, a race’s complexion can change drastically. Navigation speed is halved. Cold sets in. Sleep monsters start appearing in the wee hours. It’s something that’s hard to describe or understand until you have put yourself in that very position. That’s exactly what Team Los Padres Locos have done. With the sun rising and a few pieces of trail mail, this first time 24 hour race team is giving it their all. They know the finish line is approaching and as the day warms, so will their spirits and maybe even their pace.
