Professional Adventure Racer and Certified Conditioning Coach, Jen Segger, is offering a 16 week training program geared specifically to the MOMAR.  Here are the details:

The MOMAR Training Plans which includes:

• 16 week (four month) duration
• a detailed sport specific training program (week by week) specific to preparing for the MOMAR (periodized mountain biking, trail running & kayaking program)
• a monthly strength training program (including plyometrics & core stability strengthening)
• monthly Q&A session with Jen if desired (email or phone call)
• unlimited email communication with Jen for program clarification or personal questions related to specific workouts
• tips & hints manual on becoming a better adventure racer (solo & as a team member)
• information on topics related to hydration, nutrition, recovery and tapering

*choose from either a Beginner or Intermediate Racer Program (based on your current fitness level & future race goals)

Why train? The more fit and prepared you are, the more you will enjoy race day!  The focus of these programs is on improving endurance, the foundation for MOMAR success.  Perhaps you have had a lingering rivalry with a fellow racer and you have decided that 2009 is the year that you will beat them!  Or, maybe its simply that you don’t want the hills to eat you alive this time!  Whatever your reason, commit to a plan and you will be ready!

Starts: Jan 23rd to prepare for Squamish MOMAR or May 26th for Cumberland MOMAR

Price: $399.00 CND

Jen is a certified conditioning coach who has years of racing experience to share! Tap into her knowledge and understand the benefits of applying structure to your training.  In Jens initial years as a racer, she too had a personal coach, enabling her to learn and understand how to prepare properly for competition and to enjoy the racing experience.  Jen now races for one of North America’s top adventure racing teams, DART nuun who is currently ranked 6th in the world.  She works and coaches individuals throughout the USA and Canada, helping people of all levels achieve personal goals.

To register or for more information:  Contact Jen via email at jen@challengebychoice.ca or online at www.challengebychoice.ca.

Be prepared to work hard and achieve great results!

Note: If you are wanting a plan that is customized to your personal schedule, goals & abilities, contact Jen about her online individualized coaching options.

Here are some photos from the Doug Doyle led MOMAR 101 Clinic held last weekend in Victoria.  Eight eager adventure newbies spent the morning learning the basics of navigation as well as many other important tips on racing the MOMAR.  Hope everyone had a fun time and that it prepares you well for the MOMAR Shawnigan that is less than a month away!

Clinic instructor, Doug Doyle, marks the CPs at 12am.

Even I know that there’s more to racing than the MOMAR.  As we head into the summer months, there are lots of events to get involved with either by racing or volunteering.  Here are some that I personally recommend:

Sunday, June 8th — GutBuster Trail Run in Nanaimo
The third race in my old race series takes place in Nanaimo, BC.  This course features an 8km and Half Marathon course through the trails around Westwood Lake and into the Abyss.  Go to www.gutbustertrailrun.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino/Ucluelet
I was the event director for this race in ’06 and ’07.  In that time we added the half marathon and increased registration numbers by 110%.   I’m not organizing it anymore due to my new job with the City of Surrey but Danielle Stothers, the new event director, has a good handle on things and things should hopefully be as smooth as ever.  A few spots are left for this race. Go to www.edgetoedgemarathon.com for more info.

Sunday, June 8th — ALS Adventure Challenge in Deep Cove
This is probably where I’ll be on Sunday.   This is a sprint adventure race with mountain biking, kayaking, and trekking.  Total distance is 20km and 175 people will be on the start line in Deep Cove.  Lisa Richardson and her team have raised over $445,000 in the past four years for ALS and they hope to have another big year of fundraising.  You must raise at least $350 to race.  For more info, go to www.alsadventure.com

Wednesday, June 11th — Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club in the Delta Watershed
Who wants to join me for some orienteering training?  The GVOC’s WET series comes to the Delta Watershed on Wednesday night and I’ll be there. The session starts at 6:30pm.  AND if you want to meet for a XC mountain bike ride before the race, send me an email and we can meet up at 4:30pm. For more info, go  to www.orienteeringbc.ca/gvoc/

Thursday, June 12th – MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series presented by Helly Hansen
The 4th race in the 10 race series takes place off the shores of Vanier Park.  Come out and experience the fun of the Big Chop by paddling the 4km or 8km course. This is awesome training for the MOMAR and one of the best ways to spend a Thursday night.  The prize table is LOADED with schwag and you even get a free smokie and lemonade with your $8 entry fee — It’s the best deal in town.  Boat rentals are available.  Go to www.bigchop.ca for more details.

That’s all for now. I hope to see you out there, somewhere…

Cheers, Bryan Tasaka

MOMAR 101 Clinic Instructor, Tom Jarecki, reports on yesterday’s clinic session in North Vancouver. This is Tom’s first of three clinics that he is instructing before the Squamish MOMAR.

My dog Buddy and I arrived at the base of Mt Seymour at 7am and went for a 2 hour bike ride to set up the check points (8 of them ranging from 105m elevation to 570m and in one metre of snow) between the Mt Seymour Rd to the east and north and the Seymour River to the west. After greeting the 8 participants shortly after 9am I spent just over an hour going over the basics of MOM adventure racing, demonstrated my race gear and transition setup, and introduced them to Mr Map and Ms. Compass and the engrossing intimacy that they’re capable of. Then we were off – each participant lead the group to their designated check point, keeping track of collecting and catch features and planning their approach from the attack point. Our pace varied from walk in the park strolling to we’re going to win this thing even if it kills us fast downhilling on Neds. What goes on at the clinic stays at the clinic but I can report that all were successful (eventually) finding their check points and that the dog got very, very muddy.

It didn’t take long for the MOMAR 101 clinic in Vancouver to sell out. In just four days, eight eager people signed up for Tom’s clinic on April 12th.

As a result, Tom has agreed to add a new date in Vancouver. Mark April 27th on your calendar and don’t delay as this will be your last chance to take a clinic before the big first MOMAR.

Another full season of MOMAR specific training clinics are now available to help you prepare for your year of adventure racing. Over 150 people have taken our clinics in the past three years. Each clinic will teach many of the skills required to have success at the MOMAR.

Here is the full schedule. Go to the Training Page of the website to read the course descriptions.

A group of newbie adventure racers took part in this weekend’s MOMAR 101 Clinic taught by ELM Heath’s Sarah Seads. The four hour clinic gave the students some real world practice using a map and compass to help find their way through a MOMAR like course.

The MOMAR 101 clinics are a highly recommended to everyone taking part in their first MOMAR or for those that want more practice navigating.

We have a clinic in Vancouver scheduled for this Saturday and space is still available. Other MOMAR 101 clinics are coming up on the Sept 8/9 weekend in Victoria, Duncan, and Nanaimo.

Click here to view the complete schedule.

The MOMAR has a full schedule of great training clinics coming up in the next few months. If you are racing the final MOMAR then I highly recommend you consider checking them out. Read the course descriptions below and click HERE for the upcoming schedule.

MOMAR 101 – GETTING READY FOR THE MOMAR
MOMAR 101 is for new and experienced Adventure Racers who would like a comprehensive introduction to the adventure racing and navigation skills needed to successfully complete a MOMAR race and other shorter adventure races. This one day course is easy enough for beginning racers, and challenging enough for those who want to polish more advanced racing and navigation skills. Be prepared for plenty of inside racing tips specific to the MOMAR! Limited to 8 participants per clinic.

MOMAR 105 – KAYAK STROKE IMPROVEMENT
– Presented by the Vancouver Canoe Club and Water’s Edge
This Stroke Improvement Clinic is specifically designed for individuals who are gearing up for that next big adventure race or would like to improve their paddling performance during a weekly Night Race Series or The Big Chop Paddle Series. This two-hour session will motivate and assist new and experienced paddlers in developing their technical paddling skills for adventure racing, fitness paddling and local Weekly Night Race Series. Participants will gain a greater understanding of basic stroke fundamentals, as well as, advanced techniques that will improve their stroke significantly.

MOMAR 205 – LEARN TO MOUNTAIN BIKE
– Presented by Oak Bay Bikes (Nanaimo)
Not sure you can navigate your mountain bike well enough to do a MOMAR? This course will teach you all the basics needed to safely and successfully take on the mountain bike stage. Learn how to ride up and down hills properly, avoid obstacles and get over small barriers. The course is taught by Sean Lunny a former member of the National Jr Cycling Team, coach and personal trainer. Course runs for approximately 2 hrs.

Also, come out to the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series in Vancouver to get some training in on the water. The final four race dates are Aug 9th, Aug 23, Sept 6, and Sept 20. For more info go to www.bigchop.ca.