Big thanks to Paula Solanoy for creating this year’s poster design. I love the concept and the photos by Erik Peterson, Jill Collins, and John Crosby really tell the story of the MOMAR. Look at all those sponsor logos too! What a great team we had last year and I’m hoping they all sign on for this year too!
Once again, there were so many great moments from the 2011 season of the Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Racing Series. We started the year off in a brand new venue, Burnaby, and ended in Cumberland for the 12 year in a row. I had hundreds of photos to review and came up with 20 images and two videos. Enjoy!!!
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1. WE WERE THE FIRST – Photo by Mark Teasdale —- A partial group shot just before the start of the inaugural race in Burnaby, BC. The weather was ideal — cool in the morning and bright sunny skies in the afternoon. The race started and finished at Barnett Marine Park, a bit of a hidden gem in the Lower Mainland.
2. WHAT A PADDLE LEG – Photo by Mark Teasdale —- Todd Nowack leads this group of paddlers on a 10km paddle in Burrard Inlet /Indian Arm and up to Jug Island and back. Todd won this race and Cumberland (another series sweep!) and adds two more to his overall win tally.
3. SWEET SINGLE TRACK ON BURNABY MOUNTAIN – Photo by Matthew Beckett —- Frontrunners’ Stefan Jakobson cruises down the trails during the MOMAR Burnaby. Frontrunners is our longest running sponsor having been with us for the past 12 years. Love you guys!
4. COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEER – Photo by Andrea Beckett —- The MOMAR has the BEST team of volunteers. They are always so hardworking, enthusiastic, and ready to help a racer out when needed. Here, longtime volunteer, Thomas Howard (and his chicken) takes the time to click a shot of a wiped out racer before helping him up (and asking if he’s ok). What a guy!
5. CELEBRITY APPEARANCE – Photo by John Crosby —- Not only did we have one of the best female adventure racers (Jen Segger) on the start line of the MOMAR Burnaby but we also had Raid the North’s race director, Geoff Langford, too!
6. CHAMPAGNE WISHES – Photo by Mark Teasdale —- Team Beer O’Clock (Nicole Gibbons, Beth Henschel, Alison Perras, and Jaimie Isaac) from Vancouver celebrates their first place finish (4F) with champagne and big smiles. They found all 36 checkpoints in 7h and 13m. Great job!
7. HEART AND SOLE – Photo by John Crosby —- The Momamas were the winners of the Sole Spirit Award. Tons of spirit all day long.
8. VIDEO: WATCH THE FOOTAGE – Video by Erik Nachtrieb of 1iOpen Productions —- Big thanks to Erik for coming out and shooting video and putting together this stellar video that captures the essence of our inaugural race in Burnaby. Click here to watch.
9. WELCOME TO THE FOG – Photo by Erik Peterson —- Paddlers set out on Comox Lake for the start of the Cumberland MOMAR. This was the foggiest morning that we ever had and it made for a really eerie but calm paddle stage.
10. NEW CHECKPOINT – Photo by Erik Peterson —- There has been 12 races in Cumberland and finding new terrain is always a treat. Here, a new trail was cut allowing us access to a set of fantastic bluffs with a great view of the glaciers to the west. Team Frontrunners Westshore (Nick Walker and Eric Findlay) look pro as they approach CP 3. I predict a big year at the MOMAR for this duo in 2012.
11. A FAMILY AFFAIR – Photo by John Crosby — It was great having Vernon’s Sheila Sovereign take on the 30km sport course with her niece Karly. The Vernon Morning Star reported: “We did really well with the route finding, but we really had to take our time and think it through,” said Sheila. “I did the Squamish MOMAR and the trail finding was way easier. This was actually pretty tricky so we really had to pay attention.”
12. LOST AND CONFUSED – Photo by Erik Peterson —- We’ve all been there… you know… in the Orienteering Stage of the MOMAR… your navigator isn’t quite sure where to go as your teammate waits (im)patiently for a quick decision. Right? Sarah Newman and Geoff Huenemann from Bike Over Teakettle figure things out in the final stage of the MOMAR Cumberland course.
13. SPIRIT OF TWO BODIES IN ONE – Photo by John Crosby —- In the most touching story in the history of the MOMAR, Steven Crerar from Campbell River races the MOMAR Cumberland in memory of his brother Bryan Crerar, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009. Steven and Bryan had raced together for four previous MOMARs and this was now Steven’s first solo. More on Steven’s story, click here.
14. FOUND IT! – Photo by Erik Peterson —- Aside from crossing the finish line, is there any better feeling than finding a Checkpoint? Sometimes they can be found easily and sometimes they are hidden; either way, seeing the orange and white flag is a great feeling. In this photo, ELM Fearless Leaders (Kathy Campbell and Lynn Swift) punch the CP at the top of DCDH.
15. OH THOSE CUMBY TRAILS – Photo by Erik Peterson —- A forest is sometimes just a forest but when you get a community of dedicated trail builders you can end up with a forest with it’s own very unique identity. The trail network behind the Village of Cumberland is simply the best on the Vancouver Island. In the first years of the MOMAR Cumberland, we took racers on the Crafty Butcher trail, but subsequent logging kept it out of future course routes. Last year, the trail was refurbished and a wicked double teeter todder was added making this the must ride trail of the race. Super fun, super fast, super buff.
16. OH THOSE CUMBY TRAILS – Photo by Erik Peterson —- Just south of the start/finish line for the MOMAR Cumberland sits a steep boulder filled forest and rugged cliffs. The terrain here is super cool and is the home to a rock climbers, wasp nests, bears and our final orienteering stage. It’s one of my favorite places in Cumberland.
17. YOU’RE ONLY AS FAST AS YOUR SLOWEST TEAMMATE – Photo by John Crosby —- Last Year’s Losers (Irene and Neil Borecky) cross the line with almost all of their limbs attached…. Runner up for the Sole Spirit Award. What a riot.
18. ATMOSPHERE – Photo by John Crosby —- A big BIG thanks goes out to our title sponsor Atmosphere who have been with us for the past three years. Without their support and the support of all of our other sponsors, the MOMAR would not be possible (or at least you wouldn’t get a cool shirt, shiny medal, tasty dinner, rockin’ party, accurate maps, heaps of prizes, a crazy MC, etc… ). And it was great to have a staff team from the Victoria store compete too! In this photo: Steven Craig, Hannah Mashon, William Rankine, and Nick Brame.
19. ROCK STAR – Photo by Erik Peterson —- What a great moment it was when MOMAR’s own event coordinator, Tamara Rhodes, took the stage and sang a few songs with Megalicious at the MOMAR Cumberland after-party. This capped off another killer after-party!
20. THREE AMIGOS – Photo by ‘some dude with my camera’ —- Dave Norona, Normon Thibault, and me (Bryan Tasaka). These guys were at the first MOMAR back in 2000 and they are still here today — 35 races later. Wow. What a run.
21. THE REAL HEROS OF THE MOMAR – Photo by Erik Peterson —- The MOMAR is produced by a core group of hard working, organized, and dedicated event team. Thank you Tamara Hung, Janine Tasaka, Sheron Chrysler, Elaine McHugh, Lisa Au, Liz Tribe and Gary Robbins!!! (Note: Dave Norona represents Lisa, Liz, and Gary for the purposes of this team picture)
22. THE NASTYASS ADVENTURE RACER – Video by Kootenay Kaos —- Words cannot properly explain what the Kootenay Kaos are all about… it’s best if you just watch the video.
That’s it! Nothing but great memories! Let us know what you think by posting a comment below.
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!
Professional adventure athlete and owner of Challenge by Choice Perfomance Coaching, Jen Segger, has recently launched a brand new studio in the heart of Squamish, BC. Jen and her team helps their clients “achieve personal goals, sport specific success, and a healthy lifestyle.”
As MOMAR’s Race Director, I struggle to balance work, family, race organizing, and exercise; and as a result, training time is often the first to get cut. I’m hoping that will all change now that I’ve signed up for Challenge by Choices’ “Virtual/Web Based Individualized Sport Specific Coaching Package.”
Jen has set me up with a series of workouts all administered using Training Peaks software. She will monitor my workouts and progress and make changes as necessary. Right now, she has me on a program focused on April 30th’s Suburban Rush. After that, I’m hoping to just stay consistant through May-July since I have three major events to organize in that time. Wish me luck!
Now is the perfect time to get in touch with Jen to set you up with a program for the upcoming MOMAR.
Here's my 'before' photo...
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:
*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.
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