Multi-Sport Racing – Not Just For The “Extreme”

I can’t remember exactly why I entered my first multi-sport race – I suspect my, then new, boyfriend Toby was doing it, so in order to have an excuse to hang out with him more, I decided to enter as well. That first race was Jerry’s Baddle in 2012. I borrowed a road bike and squeezed a few training rides in to make sure I could actually pedal 26 miles. I discussed race strategy with Toby, who encouraged me to walk Zwicks – my nemesis rapid at the time. I didn’t listen and I swam. Thankfully, my gear was easy to recover and I finished the race. I even put down a respectable bike time and didn’t come in last. I was hooked.

Since that first Jerry’s Baddle, I’ve entered many more multi-sport races. Through these experiences, I’ve learned a lot about racing and its benefits. I might be biased, but I’m a strong believer that multi-sport races are a good idea for pretty much everyone. Here’s why you should give one a try:

It makes creek racing more accessible

Multi-sport races are usually longer, so portaging a rapid or two is usually a viable option. If you’re familiar with a river that hosts a multi-sport race, but there are still a few rapids out of your reach, consider walking them and making up the lost time in other sections of the race. Multi-sport races on rivers like the Green and the Russell Fork include a much longer section of river than the traditional kayak races, meaning there is a lot of class II to race through. Portaging a rapid during a race that takes three hours is very feasible. If it’s ok with the race organizers, you can even recruit a buddy to do the paddle with you.

Since these races usually have longer stretches of easier whitewater, consider stepping up to a long boat. Long boats can save you a lot of time and energy in flatwater and easy whitewater. Racing also provides good justification for giving a long boat a try, if it’s something you haven’t considered yet.

On the Green, I upped my game, not by biting off Go Left or Gorilla, but by moving up to a long boat. I went from my creek boat, to a Prijon Tornado, and eventually to a Stinger. The Stinger might now be my favorite boat and I may never have discovered that without the motivation racing provided.

It gives you the drive to get fit

While these races are mostly for fun, a little healthy competition can be a great motivator to train and get fit. If you mainly kayak, entering a multi-sport race may give you the ambition to pick up biking or running more seriously. You don’t need to let training take up too much time, but doing enough to be sure you can complete the race is always advised. Make a training plan to help you make the time to paddle, go for a run, or get on your bike. The approaching race date will push you to stay on track and not skip your workouts.

Erin Savage beginning the bike leg of Jerry’s Baddle

An added benefit may be a better work-life balance. When I made riding my bike something that I “needed” to do, I was much more likely to make time for it during the day. Instead of feeling like I “should” be working longer, I got more organized to make time for training, a.k.a. playing outside. I’ve seen the same planning work for a lot of my friends – new parents make time to still get outside and have some time to themselves, other friends have lost considerable weight through their training.

In 2013, John Grace forced me to take things to a whole new level with his introduction of the Silverback. Toby had finally convinced me to get a mountain bike, so I didn’t have any excuse to skip this kayaking-mountain biking-running race. That race got me into running in a way I’d never been before. I discovered I’m actually a pretty good runner, and I met a lot of new people through group runs, who I wouldn’t have otherwise met. As the only female participant in 2013, my goal was to have my participation inspire more women to enter in subsequent years – in 2014, three girls raced, and in 2015 six girls raced. Hopefully 2016 will see even more.

It improves your kayaking

Racing will improve your kayaking in obvious ways – training to paddle faster and more competently pays off on race day and beyond. Getting aerobically fit through running and biking also pays off in kayaking, allowing you to feel fresh longer and even handle beatdowns better. Fast mountain biking can help “slow down” kayaking, so that you can get that “flow” feeling more easily. This type of practice sets a foundation for taking on more challenging races later on.

Pat Keller getting ready for the bike leg of Jerry’s Baddle

Most importantly, it’s fun!

Competing in multi-sport races has not only been really fun, but helped shape my whole life into something more enjoyable. I don’t know if Toby, now my fiance, knew what he was getting himself into when he first encouraged me to enter Jerry’s Baddle and to later buy a mountain bike, but he’s stuck with me now!

If you think it’s time to try one out yourself, here are some suggestions:

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Multi-Sport Racing – Not Just For The “Extreme”

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