Unfortunately, due to permitting challenges and post-race party venue availability, we have decided to change the date of the MOMAR Burnaby to Saturday, June 2nd.   We hope this new date will still work for those of you that have already registered and for those planning on racing.

We are still working out the details for our Friday night registration location and our post race party venue.  We’ll announce the change on the website as soon as we know.

For those of you that have already registered, but now cannot make this new date, please email me at info@mindovermountain.com asap.

Sincerely,

Bryan Tasaka
Race Director

Is there anything more synonymous with the start of a new year than hangovers and resolutions?  For me, the hangover wasn’t too bad and I’m working off the same resolution list as in years past. On the top of the list continues to be “Achieve work/life balance…”  and sure I’m one of a billion people with this same goal.

Trying to balance my time producing two MOMAR events and the Big Chop Summer Paddle Series with my demand of my day job and my family life is nothing short of challenging.  And add to that, my need to get outside for some fun on the trails puts even more pressure on that delicate balance.

Back in March 2011, I signed up for Challenge by Choice’s Virtual Coaching Program. I was excited but skeptical that I could find consistancy long term.  However, here I am, nine months later and, wow, what an impact the program has made on my life.

How it works?  Simple.  Adventure athlete and professional trainer, Jen Segger, set me up with daily workouts via the Training Peaks website. I would log in and see my workouts for the next few weeks. The workouts would always vary depending on my training goals but most of the training was running based with different types of workouts (e.g., fartleks, hills, tempo) on different terrain. She also included bike and strength workouts with different objectives for each.

The results have been awesome. Since March, I averaged over five hours a week of training, dropped 10+lbs and feel fitter than I have in a very long time.  I attribute  my success to the simple fact that I feel accountable not only to myself, but also to program and especially to Coach Jen.  It’s a great feeling to get home from a hard workout and log the results into the program, get an email from Jen saying something along the lines of “Good work, B!”

I will admit that fitting the training time into my already busy schedule continues to be my biggest challenge.  However, I’ve made it a priority and the delicate balancing act seems to be adjusting just fine.

Thanks Jen!

Welcome Aeon Brand to the MOMAR team of sponsors!  Aeon makes a product called OSMO, a performance towel, that’s perfect for the adventure racer since it’s compact, super adbsorbant and dries quick.

We’ll be giving away a MOMAR branded OSMO towel as part of the 1st place prize package in all categories!  The towel retails for $40 so along with the Ryders sunnies and the MOMAR tech socks, the 1st place prize package is valued at over $100.  Pretty good incentive to push your limits a little bit more.

Order yours online today and make it part of your mandatory gear!

Let’s do one more Registration Promotion since the January promo was such a success. Here’s the deal. Everyone who signs up for the MOMAR by Monday, Feb 28th, goes into a draw for the following prize packages:

GRAND PRIZE: MOMAR & BC FERRIES PRIZE PACKAGE!

• One MOMAR Race Entry
• A return trip on BC Ferries for an underheight vehicle, driver, and passenger
• One brand new limited edition 2011 MOMAR bike jersey

RUNNER UP PRIZE: Whislter Weekend Adventure Getaway!

• Call of the Wild ATV Tour (2 ppl) from Canadian Snowmobiles
• One night stay at the HI Hostel 

We’ll also draw for consolation prizes including:

• A $60 gift certificate for a funky wall tattoo from Surface Collective
• A free entry into a 2011 Yeti XC Snowshoe Race
• With more to be announced…

Everyone who has already signed up is eligble for the draw.

The brand new edition of the MOMAR Bike Jersey is now available!  Designed by the boys at Suarez, we are offering a blue unisex version and a female pink version.  Classic in design and strong in quality, the 2011 MOMAR Bike Jersey will get you noticed when riding the trails. 

Be one of the first 25 to purchase the jersey and get it at a special price of $65 (regular $75).  Place your order by March 15th to guarantee your size.  Jerseys can be picked up at the MOMAR Burnaby (or by other arrangements).

To order, please visit the Retail page on the MOMAR site.

The MOMAR is happy to announce a new partnership agreement with BC Ferries.  BC Ferries joins the MOMAR team as a Community Sponsor for the 2011 season. 

Where would the MOMAR be without BC Ferries?  With races on both Vancouver Island (Cumberland) and the Lower Mainland (Burnaby), the ferry is the first stage for many participants making the trek over Georgia Straight for the race.  Many pre-race meals of White Spot burgers and fries with gravy have been consumed by only the most serious of racers.

Be sure to make a reservation on the ferry for the MOMAR weekend and note that there isn’t an overheight charge anymore so you don’t have to worry about having your bikes and kayaks on the roof.

We’ll be giving away a ferry prize package very soon so stay tuned!

Thanks BC Ferries! Toot Toot!

Jen Segger at the 2009 Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race in Cumberland — Photo by Tony Austin

Via Media Release:

The final preparations are now underway as Jen Segger from Salomon Canada gets ready to head to Costa Rica this week to participate in the TCC Coastal Challenge 6 day staged ultra running race.  This will be her first multi day event of 2011.  Last weekend Jen raced at the 4th Dimension Off-Road Winter Duathlon down in Tacoma, WA as a last minute intensity workout where she finished first.  The past few months have been busy balancing training with the preparation to open her new high performance training center in Squamish the day after her return home (www.challengebychoice.ca). 

Jen has not yet done this race, nor has she been to Costa Rica.  She is looking forward to seeing the country and the sunshine.  Jen is also the Canadian ambassador for the race and this year, she has 12 other Canadians from across the country headed down to participate.  Jen has been coaching several of these runners for the past 8 months.  Although everyone races as a solo competitor, there is a team category as well to compete in.  The Canadians have split into 2 teams with the hopes of taking 1^st and 2^nd.

Those interested in following Jen’s progress can watch live race coverage here: http://leadadventuremedia.squarespace.com/tcc/.  Jen will also be blogging and updating facebook as internet connection allows each night from camp:  http://challenge-by-choice.blogspot.com/ 

The race gets underway on Saturday, January 30^th and finishes on February 4^th. Stage lengths range from 30km to 50km each day.  Jen is hoping that the hilly course profile will play to her favor. This is going to be a fast race and with other top female competitors on the start line, it’s sure to be an exciting event.

Trekking in Cumberland. Photo by Dave Silver Photography

The Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Racing Series becomes only the third Canadian race series to join the US based Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series.

 
Aeriel photo of Simon Fraser University with Downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet in the background.

As posted in the Nov 16th MOMAR eNewsletter: 

The 2010 season is done and what a year it was! I would first like to extend a big THANKS to everyone who helped make the 11th season of the MOMAR another success. Racers, sponsors, volunteers, landholders, suppliers, staff and my family, I can’t thank you enough for your continued support of the MOMAR. 

Planning is well underway for the 2011 season and over the past year, I have been working on adding a brand new MOMAR venue to the series. All the pieces have now come together and I’m very pleased to announce that the 32nd edition of the Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race will be coming Burnaby, BC! 

In partnership with Tourism Burnaby, the Burnaby MOMAR will take place on Saturday, May 28th and it will replace the Squamish MOMAR. Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, the Burnaby MOMAR will utilize the expansive trail network of Burnaby Mountain, the Simon Fraser University campus, and the waters of Burrard Inlet. 

Burnaby Mountain has some of the best cross-country mountain bike trails in the Lower Mainland and I would compare the Burnaby MOMAR course design to the MOMAR on Mount Tzouhalem of years past. I’m also happy to announce that this course will see the return of the kayak stage and the inclusion of a real orienteering stage. 

View from the top of Burnaby Mountain looking up Indian Arm. 

I would like to thank the Squamish community for their incredible support over the past four years. A special thanks goes to Course Director, Jen Segger, who was instrumental in bringing the MOMAR to Squamish and for designing some of the most challenging MOMAR courses to date. I am sad to be leaving Squamish but hopefully the MOMAR will return one day in the future. 

Of course, the MOMAR will be returning to Cumberland on September 24th for the final race of the series. I guarantee another adventure filled race course, a killer after-party, and hopefully better weather than this year! 

Registration for the 2011 season opens on December 1st. Be sure to sign up early so that your spot is guaranteed in the inaugural race. A MOMAR entry would also make a great Christmas gift for that special (or not so special) someone. 

For more details, please visit www.mindovermountain.com/momar. 

Spread the Word! 

Bryan Tasaka
Principal | Event Producer

Another batch of the Dirty Girlz have signed up for the Cumberland MOMAR so if you see them coming on the bike, you better step aside. These girls can ride and they know how to have fun. 

The Dirty Girlz is a Victoria based mountain biking club that organizes group rides, training clinics, and other social events.  If you need biking skills, biking friends, and biking motivation, then be sure to check them out at http://www.dirtygirlzbikeclub.ca/home

I wish I had the time to go through the MOMAR’s massive image bank and put together a comprehensive photo gallery of all the great team costumes that have graced our start.  Time… not enough of it.

From a vast array of superheros, bravehearts, brokeback cowboys, spacemen, and french divas (photo), I always think I’ve seen it all and then another batch of teams show up in the craziest batch of outfits.

This year, the team with the most spirit wins free entry to their next MOMAR so it’s well worth the effort of putting together something good.

How do we judge the winner, you ask?  The outfit is key but a good outfit with no personality probably won’t make you a champ.  Always being in character goes a long way!

What are YOU going to be wearing in Cumberland? Bring it.

The MOMAR Blog is back! A server crash and problems with the install plus me being too busy to get it all fixed in a timely manner puts us months since the last entry.  Now that it’s all fixed, I’ll do my best to keep this updated with interesting and informative blog posts on all things MOMAR and adventure sports.

In the blog lull, I have project managed the Surrey Canada Day and Surrey Fusion Fesitval events, also, we just had our second baby on July 7th.  So, needless to say, my time since the Squamish MOMAR has been nothing short of busy.  The Cumberland MOMAR is just around the corner too and I’m excited for what is always a great event.  I have my scouting trip planned and we’ll see what kind of course route I can design this time.

That’s all for now, keep checking this blog, our Facebook, and Twitter pages for all the latest info!

Cheers,

Bryan Tasaka
Event Director

I would like to welcome Left Coast Naturals to the MOMAR team of sponsors! Left Coast Naturals is an Organic and Natural Food Manufacturer and Distributor in Burnaby, BC which has 3 brands that it manufactures under the names Skeet & Ike’s, Hippie Chips and Element Organics. They also distribute 25 other Packaged Organic/Natural Food Brands and are the largest Organic Bulk Commodities distributor in Western Canada.

For those racing Squamish, you can expect some special treats in your Gift Bag and someone will also walk away with a $100 gift basket too!

Look for Left Coast Naturals’ products at Nester’s in Squamish, Save-On-Foods in the Lower Mainland or Thrifty Foods on the Island. For other locations in your area, click here.

Now that the Olympics are over, I finally have the time to refocus on the upcoming season of the MOMAR.  In my ‘real’ job, I was managing the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site so for the past three months things really became busy and all consuming.  The MOMAR had to take a backseat so my apologies for the lack of blog entries.

Despite the Olympic, some MOMAR tasks have continued to progress.  Squamish Course Director, Jen Segger, has a course planned out and it looks epic.  Colin from the Squamish Rock Guides has posted his rappel clinic dates too.  Also, we have landed a few more sponsors too! And it’s great to see registration off to a brisk pace too.

As you can probably tell from the lack of MOMAR blog entries, I have been busy with other things. With the Olympics less 50 days away, all my energy has been going into the management of the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site. However, the Christmas break has allowed me some time to get the 2010 MOMAR season up and running.

The dates and venues are now confirmed with a similar schedule to last year. Our season kicks of on May 22nd in Squamish and ends in Cumberland on September 25th.

Jen Segger is busy working on a new course design for Squamish that will include use of some brand new trails and of course the Chief! I have the course route pretty much figured out for Cumberland it’s going to be just as challenging and fun as the last edition.

Registration will open on January 1st at 9:00am. Tell your friends and great ready to sign up!