The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (Brian Gatens)

Through a collaboration between the United States Adventure Racing Association and The Dark Zone, we are proud to present this Facebook Live/Podcast Recording of Anna and Tim of Rib Mountain Racing. Alongside their two other teammates Jesse and Richard, they made it to the podium at Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains Adventure Race in June 2022.

Listeners can head over to USARA's Facebook page to watch the video of this podcast, but beware of Anna's post-race feet photos, or at least view them after dinner. Thank you to everyone for making this happen with special thanks to Dave Gedney, USARA's Media Director for pulling it all together.

Shownotes:

USARA Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/USadventureracing

Rib Mountain Racing - https://www.ribmountainadventurechallenge.com/

Rootstock Racing's The Endless Mountains - www.endlessmountainsar.com

Justin 'Biz' Bakken and Brian Mayer join The dARk Zone to tell all about their recent victory at the USARA National Championships, the ups and downs of the race (broken bike shoe bolt, anyone?), and how teammate Mari Chandler (currently racing at the World Championships in Spain) saved their race 3 minutes after the start. Stick around for the bonus content.

Thank you to episode sponsor The New York Adventure Racing Association - www.nyara.org - and visit their website to learn more about The Longest Day 24-hour race coming in May 2022.

Today's guest is South African Adventure Racer Donovan Sims. A longtime racer (and former rugby player), Don shares his experience and wisdom gleaned from his many races. Navigation, nutrition, sleep strategy and how to be a good teammate are discussed. Most importantly, he goes deep on his diagnosis and recovery from leukemia.

Thank you to Expedition Canada's Ben Kwiatkowski for joining TDZ to talk about his big goals and his big races. In the past several years he has competed in some of the most challenging races on multiple continents including Eco-Challenge Fiji and the AR World Championships in South Africa. A firefighter by training with many years of outdoor experience, Ben has applied all that he knows to his racing. He loves being an adventure racer and it pours out of him during the interview.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://ecochallenge.com/

https://arc.remarkable.events/

https://arworldseries.com/races/vulcania-chile

https://larutamadre.mx/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.adventureenablers.com/

Thank you to Alyssa Godesky for coming onto the show. One of our more accomplished guests, Alyssa has placed on the podium at the 2022 USARA National Championship, has eight top-5 professional finishes at the Ironman distance, and holds multiple Fastest Known Times (FKT's) including on the New Hampshire 48 High Peaks, Adirondack 46 High Peaks and Vermont's Long Trail (273 miles). Alyssa competed in the One Water Race in Sweden this past year, and she goes deep on that experience. Along the way we discuss her work as a coach, her "Ironwomen" podcast, and how the role of women in endurance sports has evolved.

Shownotes:

https://www.alyssagodesky.com/

https://biscaycoaching.com/alyssa-godesky/

https://livefeisty.com/ironwomen/

https://onewaterrace.com/athletes/alyssa-godesky/

One Water Race Full Video - https://youtu.be/Yam_dvoVp6U?si=lnWGz_4MmTNJdcQu

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Kate Geisen for coming on the show as she recounts her AR history, but more importantly her bikepacking adventure on the North-to-South route of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Kate walks us through her prep, those early hard days (including an unexpected zero-day), her need to commit breaking and entering (with permission), and how an automatic sprinkler was her partner's biggest nemesis.

Be sure to check out Ride the Divide at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1530991/

Thank you to Nathan Fa'avae for coming onto the show. In many ways, Nathan is in no need of an introduction as his 20+ year adventure racing career, with multiple wins and 7 AR World Championships, does all the talking for him, but Nathan is plentiful in his thoughts and gracious with his time as he speaks about his personal growth as a racer. Alongside that, he walks us through the challenges and successes of his team's recent World Championship win in Paraguay.

Thank you to Mary for joining The Dark Zone to talk about her entry into AR, her years as a solo racer, and her trajectory into becoming a multi-day racer. Along the way, we write down the Five "Foster Rules" that she has developed. Mary loves AR, the people that she meets, and what she has learned about herself. Warning - This one may cause you to strap a pack on your back and go walk through the night.

Thank you to Abby and Brent of Rootstock Racing for coming onto the show. This episode is the culmination of a six-episode arc in which TDZ was embedded into The Endless Mountains Adventure Race. In this episode, Abby and Brent unpack the planning, preparation and experience of presenting a 5-day race. It's a deep dive into all aspects of the race. Special mention is made about volunteers, their dedication, and the experience of many of the racers. This is a great listen for both the aspiring RD and also for racers considering making the jump into longer-distance adventure races.

Shownotes:

www.rootstockracing.com

www.endlessmountainsar.com

Ben, Tom, and Jasper of Team Peak Pursuit join the show just hours after their finish at Expedition Oregon. In this Flash Episode, they recount their journey, how their preparation, teamwork, and communication helped along the way, and how much they have grown to love adventure racing. How did they do in the race? Give a listen to find out.

Thank you to Adventure Addicts Racing (https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/) for sponsoring this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Adventure Addicts offers a wide variety of events in Maryland and Virginia. Keep an eye out for information about their next race, The Buff Betty, coming this September 24th.

TDZ is happy to support The Checkpoint presented by the United States Adventure Racing Association through this crosspost of their Episode #6. Thank you for being a listener and thank you for supporting USARA.

Episode Details Below:

Welcome to Episode 6 of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast.

In this episode, Brent speaks with Allen Wagner of Broad Run Off Road Racing about his upcoming Fall Foliage Adventure Race. An increasingly popular race, the Fall Foliage is a great race for beginners and veterans alike. Our second segment is a deep dive into past USARA National Championships with Stephanie Ross and Tray Farrar. Packed with stories, adventures, and the challenges of presenting a national championship, this episode is a great way to prepare for next month's USARA National Championship Race in Snowshoe, West Virginia.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

Thank you to Race Director Santiago Lopez for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 ARWS World Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/ARWC2024/

https://www.arworldseries.com/races/huairasinchi-arwc-2024-ecuador

https://proyectoaventura.com/public/site/13/home_arwc24

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Lyndie Hill and John Ford of Expedition Canada for coming on the show to discuss the ARWS 2025 World Championship in British Columbia. They go deep about the race location, the beauty and challenge of the area, being good Canadian hosts, and their race design philosophy. This episode has just enough beta to whet your racing appetite. Follow the links below for registration information.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/

https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-canada-canada

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.swampdonkeyar.com/

https://mindovermountain.com/momar/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to La Ruta Madre Race Director Javier Barreda for coming onto the show. Billed as 'Mexico's Toughest Race," La Ruta Madre puts the natural beauty of Mexico on full display. Javier speaks about the challenging course, the high level of hospitality, and how he works hard for both a great race and to give those who travel a wonderful overall experience. Get your gear ready! Mexico is calling!

Shownotes:

https://larutamadre.mx/

Thank you to Mari Chandler and Brennan Schoenherr for coming onto the show to discuss Arthur the King. Listeners know Mari well as she is most definitely a Friend of the Pod. Brennan is a new name for TDZ Nation. A personal friend and (currently) a non-racer, Brennan brings a new and insightful perspective to our sport. Aside from the dog, he's the real hero of this podcast. This episode is much more than a discussion of the film and we go deep on the lessons learned from the film and how they apply to AR. And, as usual, Mari regales us with story after story from her illustrious career. Special thanks to previous TDZ guest Mikael Lindnord, the real-life inspiration for Mark Wahlberg's character, for bringing his story of Arthur to the big screen.

Shownotes:

https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/arthur-the-king

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

https://wondery.com/shows/alternate-routes/

Brian Reiss - The Dark Zone's Original Recording Guinea Pig - joins The Dark Zone to tell us how he jumped into adventure racing with two feet, the things he's learned along the way, and how to be a great teammate. Brian is always up for an adventure and he's always great for a story or five.

Thank you to Thomas Ogander, Race Director for the One Water Race, for joining TDZ to talk about One Water, the limits of human capacity, and how the Swedish Archipelago provides a challenging backdrop for his race. An increasingly popular event, racers swim/run for sixty hours and navigate among the coastal islands. Adventure Racers will see echoes of our sport in One Water.

Shownotes:

https://onewaterrace.com/

https://otilloswimrun.com/

https://www.gih.se/english

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7gbIVNCvG_4mSYKREpyU1g

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Team MDWW - Mountain Designs Wild Women - for coming onto the show. As the first all-female team to win an ARWS Expedition Race, they have secured their spot in AR lore, and also provide a cracking good episode filled with guidance, advice, and the keys to their longevity. With 78 combined years of adventure racing between them, they are the best of the best and when they speak, AR class is in session.

Shownotes:

https://www.wldnco.com/24-hour-to-6-day-events/legend-expd

https://www.blogger.com/profile/11710981965297924946

https://sportzhub.com/article/historic-win-for-mountain-designs-wild-women-team-at-legend-xpd-australia.html

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-zone-84-adventure-racer-and-race-director-chris/id1578529221?i=1000636511297

Episode Sponsors:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Luis Becdach for coming onto the show. Luis is the perfect guest when discussing the upcoming ARWS World Championships in Ecuador. A longtime racer, Luis has raced Worlds multiple times and knows Ecuador like the back of his mano. Having raced alongside him in Huairasinchi in 2021, TDZ can attest to the accuracy of that last sentence. A wild, rugged place, Ecuador is a true adventure racing destination and this episode goes deep on how to prepare for what the teams will face in November.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/13/home_arwc24

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Travis Siehndel and Mike Chaney of Adventure Enablers for joining The Dark Zone. Their wide-ranging conversation covers their Adventure Racing, Self-Made Adventures, and their jump into Race Directing. Chock full of advice, this episode is valuable to both the beginner and the veteran racer.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.

Shownotes - Be sure to check out:

https://www.adventureenablers.com/almostheavenar

www.endlessmountainsar.com

https://thedirtbag.libsyn.com/fun_divided_by_three

https://www.adventurecycling.org/

Thank you to Sachiko for coming onto the show. This episode recounts Team East Wind's experience at the Nordic Islands Adventure Race on the Faroe Islands from August 2023. A legendary team, East Wind lived up to its reputation of relentless racing, strong competition, and making solid strategic decisions. Sachiko, a well-established long-distance trail runner before she joined East Wind, speaks at length about not only the race and the team's experience, but also her personal race strategies. She was a delightful guest and congratulations on her upcoming wedding (a fact that she just casually dropped during the interview to my great delight).

Shownotes:

https://www.east-wind.jp/team/

https://www.niar.io/races/niar-faroe-islands-2023/

Thank you to Santiago Lopez for coming onto the show. One of the longest-serving and most successful race directors in the sport, Santiago talks about his experiences as both racer and race director, the upcoming ARWS World Championship in Ecuador, and his thoughts about the future of the sport. Huairasinchi, the race for which he is best known, is the adventure race with more editions in the history of the sport (19). 

Santiago is a great guest in which to kick off 2024. This is going to be a wonderful year for our sport and there's no better way to start than by focusing on the World Championship, but have no fear, there is a lot of content in here for racers of all distances and abilities.

Shownotes:

https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/13/home_arwc24

https://www.arworldseries.com/races/huairasinchi-arwc-2024-ecuador

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Jason and Danny for joining The Dark Zone to talk about Expedition Ozark, a new 5-day race coming up in April 2023. Set in the host city of Bentonville, Arkansas, EO sounds like it has all things for all racers. Jason and Danny talk about the course, the disciplines, and what the race has to offer. And, of course, there will be caves, but the fun type!

Learn more at: www.expeditionozark.com

Thank you to Mikael Lindnord - Adventure Racer, Author, and Executive Producer of the upcoming film 'Arthur the King' for coming onto the show. Not only does Mikael share his experience with Arthur, the dog he rescued in Ecuador in 2014, but he also shares his vast racing experience and what it was like to be an Executive Producer for the upcoming film. Our longest episode yet, Mikael goes deep on all his experiences and we are grateful for his time.

Shownotes:

https://greystonebooks.com/products/arthur

https://www.arthurtheking.movie/synopsis/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDJNEPghNY

https://www.arworldseries.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Abby Perkiss and Brent Freedland of Rootstock Racing for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 USARA North American Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/rivers2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.rootstockracing.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Liz and Michelle Faucher for coming onto the show to talk about their introduction to AR, their work as Adventure Addicts Racing and how they work hard to bring new racers into the sport. Veteran racers themselves, Liz and Michelle go deep into their base of knowledge and share all of it with our audience. Enjoy!

Shownotes:

Adventure Addicts Racing - https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/

Welcome to David Webster of Team ACDC AR. Not only did he jump into the deep end of the pool at the 5-day ITERA Expedition Race this past August, but he didn't even dip his toes in the water beforehand. Sit down, buckle up, and listen to how David jumped into an expedition race as his first AR.

Special thanks to NYARA.org for sponsoring this episode of The Dark Zone. Head over to their website to learn about their premiere event The Longest Day coming up in August 2023. Thanks for being a listener and feel free to send any thoughts or ideas to brian@ardarkzone.com

Thank you to Jason Bettis and Danny Collins for returning to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Expedition Ozark 2024 is their sophomore effort as RD's and are coming into this year's race following the great success and positive feedback from EO 2023. This episode touches upon their growth as RD's, their own successful adventure racing careers, and the appeal of Northwest Arkansas as a racing destination.

Shownotes:

https://www.expeditionozark.com/

https://www.visitbentonville.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Search many a race start list and you'll be sure to see Mari's name. One of America's most prolific racers, Mari brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to The Dark Zone. Mari tells us about her introduction to Adventure Racing, her training, nutrition, and how to be a solid teammate. With her years of experience, her thoughts about the future of the sport are powerful and insightful. Thank you, Mari, for joining us for lucky episode #13.

TDZ helps the United States Adventure Racing Association with 'The Checkpoint' Podcast. In editing Episode #6, Steph Ross and Troy Farrar were asked by Host Brent Freedland about their favorite USARA National Championship memories.

Their answers were so interesting, fun, and poignant that we pulled them out for Episode 100.5 of TDZ. Call it a 'TDZ Short.' Not a full episode but a small taste of the stories that underpin TDZ's love of AR, and we're happy to share it here. Be sure to follow the links below for more information:

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to USARA Nationals Race Director Chris Yager of the Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association (GMARA) and USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison for joining The Dark Zone to offer a first peek into the upcoming 2023 USARA National Championships based out of Smuggler's Notch in Vermont. Kudos to Chris for sharing just enough about the course to pique racer interest and to Garrison for offering a big-picture view into this year's national championship.

Shownotes:

GMARA - https://www.gmara.org/

USARA - https://www.usara.com/

Today we are joined by Team Hunting Bigfoot.

A team with a variety of AR experience and skills, Hunting Bigfoot took a gamble and used the Endless Mountains Adventure Race as their first race together. Listen in as they recount their five-day journey through the rigorous and unrelenting terrain of Western Pennsylvania. Their journey, teamwork, and how they overcame challenges along the way should serve as a blueprint for how a solid mid-pack team can do it right.

Learn more about the Endless Mountains at www.endlessmountainsar.com

Whether solo or with a team, Jesse Spangler brings his best, fast self to every adventure race that he enters. Thank you to him for coming on the show to talk about his entry to the sport, how his solo racing has helped him to be a better teammate, and defining all those navigation terms that bedevil those of us who are more human.

Thank you to Brent Freedland as we spend 10 minutes breaking down the action found in the first two stages (and little bit of the rest of the race) of the 2022 USARA Nationals. Head over www.usara.com for all their media coverage.

Today we are joined by Rachel Nolan. Rachel came to The Dark Zone's attention following this year's Expedition: Africa. Her experience, energy, and accent helped to carry her team throughout the long, tough course. Rachel shares that experience, her success as a bikepacking champion, and she eventually reminds us to get to her training. Thank you to Rachel for spending so much time with us.

You can learn more about Rachel and her personal guide service at https://www.facebook.com/RachelsIrishAdventures/

Thank you to John for joining The Dark Zone to talk about NYARA's premier event - The Longest Day 24-Hour Race - and his experience as a racer, race director, and student of the sport. John's enthusiasm for AR is contagious and you'll want to listen to this one when you're on the trainer, climbing a mountain or pounding out those road miles.

Learn more at www.nyara.org

Thank you to this episode's sponsor - The United States Adventure Racing Association. Now is the time to head over to their website to check out their resources, event calendar, and see all that they have to offer the community.

Learn more at www.usara.com

Thank you to volunteers Jim Rounsley, Misty and Ainsley Glenn, and Shelley Johannesen for joining TDZ during Day 4 of Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Without volunteers, we wouldn't have adventure races, and this episode highlights their motivation as well as the wisdom and knowledge they pick up along the way. There is always more to learn and thank you for their time and thoughts.

Shownotes:

www.rootstockracing.com

Welcome to Flash Podcast Episode #2 of The Dark Zone. Once again we have assembled an excellent team of analysts to share their thoughts and wisdom with the legions of at-home dotwatchers. This episode was recorded on Facebook Live during the ARWS World Championships held in South Africa October 2023.

Thank you to Stephanie Ross from Flying Squirrel Racing, Jason Magness from Bend Racing, and Brent Freedland from Rootstock Racing for coming onto today’s show. Special thanks to Jeff O’Connor of Adventure Racing Insider for helping to produce the episode.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/

https://www.unbridledwomenar.com/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

https://www.bendracing.com/

Today’s guest is racer Barbara Phipps. A newer racer, Barbara shares with us her dive into adventure racing, how it has helped her to overcome her challenges, and how much she has grown as a person and a teammate. This is a deeply personal episode of The Dark Zone, and thank you to Barbara for her openness and honesty. 

You can see the full podcast archive at www.ardarkzone.com

Thank you for being a listener!

Originally recorded in May 2022, Igor Dorotic of AR Croatia (ARC) joins The Dark Zone to talk all things adventure racing. A well-known and respected race director, ARWS referee, and successful adventure racer in his own right, Igor tells us about AR Croatia, the course design (he hopes you like transitions), the ability for people to relive any ARC at their own pace, and what makes the best teams successful.

Shownotes:

AR Croatia and Relive Adventure - https://remarkable.events/

AR Croatia Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adventureracecroatia/

AR Croatia Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adventure.race.croatia/

Untamed New England (here's hoping) - http://www.untamedne.com/_/

Here comes the course beta!

Thank you to USARA National Championship Race Directors Michelle and Liz Faucher for coming onto the show to preview the course, discuss the logistics, and otherwise turn the Race Stoke Meter up to 11 for this year's nationals. We go deep on all parts of the race and offer training advice for all racers.

TDZ will be onsite for this year's nationals helping to bring updates, information, and analysis. It'll be here before you know it this September, and we can't wait to see who is crowned the national champion.

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

Music Intro:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xxNc2lJSTr77HfacfOLUl?si=Q3HuT2Y2TYyrxlRoy5HQFw

Sponsor Links:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

https://chimneysweepva.com/

Thank you to Travis and Mark 'Mace' Macy for joining The Dark Zone to share their experience, strength, hope, and stories. Travis's new book A Mile at a Time recounts their family's dedication to endurance racing (including Mace's participation in the first Eco-Challenge), Mace's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Travis's successful adventure racing career, and their decision to race Eco-Challenge: Fiji together. Along the way, they both share their AR wisdom.

A Mile at a Time - https://a.co/d/5r135yv

Travis Macy - www.travismacy.com

Danelle Ballengee - https://www.runnersworld.com/trail-running/a20808181/danelle-ballengee-five-years-later/

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.

Thank you to Adventure Racer and Race Director Chris Dixon for coming onto the show. Chris's outfit, Wild&Co., offers AR's all over Australia and his organization likes to think big and offer expansive and challenging races. First and foremost, Chris loves to be an adventure racer and he makes sure that his events honor the sport, the efforts of the racers, and focuses on getting people to the finish line. Chris is a a human stoke machine and you're going to want to go get your gear and head off on an adventure following this one.

Shownotes:

https://www.wldnco.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Welcome back to Zoe F. for her return visit to The Dark Zone. A lifelong AR racer, volunteer and font of wisdom, Zoe shares her thoughts on teamwork, transitions, nutrition, and what she hopes for the racers at Rootstock Racing's The Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Be sure to return tomorrow to TDZ as we'll be bringing daily episodes from The Endless Mountains.

Thank you to Lycoming College, host site of the Endless Mountains, for sponsoring this episode of the Dark Zone.

https://www.lycoming.edu/

Thank you to Glyn Sadler for coming onto the show. From his years as a Royal Marine Commando to tackling a Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race, Glyn has many lessons for the adventure racing world. Glyn goes deep on his mindset, preparation, teamwork, and all the pieces necessary for a full ocean crossing (including turning down mid-race offerings from a well-meaning party boat!)

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

http://www.adventurespermare.co.uk

https://www.rannochadventure.com/

http://www.worldstoughestrow.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

The next best thing to adventure racing is talking about adventure racing and welcome to this Flash Podcast Episode of The Dark Zone. We have assembled a crack team of analysts to offer in-race updates, analysis, and predictions from the ARWS World Championship Race happening RIGHT NOW in South Africa!

Thank you to Ashley Eaton from Strong Machine, Jason Magness from Bend Racing, and Abby Perkiss and Brent Freedland from Rootstock Racing for coming onto today's show. Special thanks to Jeff O'Connor of Adventure Racing Insider for helping to produce the episode.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

https://www.bendracing.com/

https://www.strongmachinear.com/

Thank you to Craig Cook of AR Live Coverage, Brent Freedland of Rootstock Racing and Jason Magness of Bend Racing for coming onto the show for instant/flash analysis of the ARWS World Championships in Paraguay. The top ten are still coming across the line (after almost 130 hours of racing) and teams are scattered all over this monster of a course. They talk about Avaya's convincing win, the teams left in their wake, and what this course (and sport) does to people.

www.arworldseries.com

www.facebook.com/arlivecoverage

www.rootstockracing.com

www.bendracing.com

Thank you to Jennifer Strong McConachie for joining The Dark Zone to discuss her book Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win at Life. An accomplished ultrarunner, climber, and endurance sports competitor, she doesn't hold back in sharing her many life lessons and personal adventures. And, yes, rollerblading finally makes its way onto an episode of TDZ. My apologies in advance.

https://jenniferstrongmccon.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Go-Far-Endurance-Sports-Help/dp/157826913X

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.

Thank you to Vanessa Cummings for coming onto The Dark Zone. We connected with Vanessa well in advance of her first race and she was kind enough to track her preparation and overall approach to the event while balancing the other demands of day-to-day life. Special shoutout to her strategy of springboarding from volunteering at an event to racing it the next year. A tried and true method for many a new adventure racer.

Thank you to Allen Wagner of Broad Run Off Road for coming onto the show. A growing race organization, Broad Run's events have increased in popularity and challenge over time. Allen talks about the start of Broad Run, how it has grown organically, and what he has learned as both a race director and as a racer.

Thank you to Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains 5-Day Adventure Race (www.endlessmountainsar.com) for sponsoring this episode of The Dark Zone. Be sure to join Rootstock Racing this June for the 2nd edition of The Endless Mountains.

Shownotes:

www.broadrunoffroad.org - Be sure to check out all the Broad Run has to offer.

Thank you to Nick Hurff for coming onto the show. Whether as an Adventure Racer, Coach, Race Director, or Sports Performance Expert, Nick is a font of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. From his training to the intricacies of nutrition and recovery, Nick has much to share with the listener. Special shoutout for his Adaptive AR coming this year. This is another good one for both the newer and experienced racer.

Shownotes:

https://www.rev3endurance.com/

https://auwolves.com/staff-directory/nicholas-hurff-cscs/393

https://jessetubb.com/

USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison, TDZ's first repeat guest, joins Brian to talk all things 2021 nationals. From the race structure, the teams that amazed him, and all the lessons learned, join Garrison as he shares his thoughts about the current state of and future growth of USARA.

And get ready for some jet lag, East Coasters, when the 2022 Nationals comes around.

Thank you to Paul Steele and John Hardin for coming onto the show to talk about their newest endeavor. The CheNarr Adventure Race is coming to the Nashville, Tennessee area this coming August. Driven by a desire to share the natural beauty of the area and their love of adventure, John and Paul are excited for the first edition of the race.

Shownotes:

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/TN/Pegram/CheNarr

https://hardwinadventures.com/

These may be the smartest guests that we'll ever have on The Dark Zone.

Thank you to Dr. Barton and Dr. Sutcliffe for joining TDZ to discuss the findings in their paper, "Enacting Resilience: Adventure Racing as a Microcosm of Resilience Organizing." Published in March 2023, they go deep on their onsite research at races and what AR teamwork teaches other organizations and professions. The team dynamic is vital in AR and everyone will leave with a greater understanding of how to function. Plus they are a lot of fun.

Shownotes:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1468-5973.12459?domain=p2p_domain&token=QMRHA2TXVIUWBMYBPHCM

Sponsor Links:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

Thank you to Team NAWWAL - Not All Who Wander Are Lost - for coming onto the show. This is a true-blue AR story. Four (somewhat) strangers decide to join forces and take on the 2023 edition Malacara Expedition Race in Florianopolis, Brazil. What follows is a bonkers story of struggle, teamwork, triumph and finishing with leftover food. This is a great listen to kill an hour or so while training. Thank you, NAWWAL, for coming onto TDZ.

Shownotes:

https://www.malacararace.com.br/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Polish Adventure Racer and Ultra-endurance Athlete Rafael Adametz for coming onto the show. An accomplished racer, Raf recounts his entry to the sport, his growth as a racer, and his recent experience racing La Routa Adventure Race (the Philippine one, not the Mexice one). He's a great guest so settle in and enjoy this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast.

Shownotes:

https://www.ra-sportsmentor.com/

https://arworldseries.com/races/la-routa-adventure-race-philippines

Today's guest is Jesse Tubb. Alongside being an experienced and well-traveled adventure racer (as well as a big fan of a Big Mac in transition), Jesse is also the founder of G.R.I.T. Adventures which strives to bring AR to younger racers. This is the longest TDZ to date, and be sure to stick around for the post-podcast bonus content.

Visit G.R.I.T. here - https://www.grit-adventures.com/

Thank you to Emily Korsch, Jason Magness, and Stephanie Ross for joining TDZ on Facebook Live to discuss the Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Teams are now halfway through the race and our panel analysis helps the adventure racing fan understand and enjoy the race. Plus, there are always lessons to be learned for all racers.

Shownotes:

www.endlessmountainsar.com

www.bendracing.com

and

www.rootstockracing.com

Chelsey Magness joins The Dark Zone to talk about her introduction to adventure racing, the allure of free pizza and yoga and how it was too much to resist, her itinerant bicycle/yoga lifestyle and how it led her to champion adventure racing and mountain biking, and how her personal challenges around family and children have opened the door for her to help others.

Show Notes:

www.endurancemama.com

www.bendracing.com

Today's guest is Darren Steinbach of Team Bend Racing live from Panama AR. Darren is providing race and media support for Team Bend Racing, and he spends some time sharing the team's experience so far, the unique events of the race, and an on-the-course overview of how it is going so far for all the competitors.

You can follow Darren's updates via his Instagram feed - @TravelingDarren - as well as all the Team Bend Racing Social Media Channels.

You can see the full podcast archive at www.ardarkzone.com

Thank you for being a listener!

Thank you to AR Racer, Coach and Mountain Guide Jen Segger for returning to The Dark Zone for another episode. Seegs was first on TDZ #24 and returns with even more wisdom, stories, and guidance. Pull up a chair and give this one a good listen.

Jen was kind enough to extend the following offer to TDZ listeners:

40% off my AR courses for both BEG and INT Sprint races (this is the 4-8hrs race training)

It is valid until DEC 31st, 2023.

Code: darkzone

Find the course on my website at www.jensegger.com

Shownotes:

Episode #24 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-24-jen-segger-they-call-her-seegs-coach/id1578529221?i=1000553075482

Thank you to repeat guest Mari Chandler of Team Vidaraid for joining the show. She is fresh from the ARWS Championship Race Course and walks us through the race, the ups and downs, and how Vidaraid stormed back from a long overnight dark zone to capture 2nd place. Full of wisdom and experience, Mari is not to be missed.

Thank you to The New York Adventure Racing Association - www.nyara.org - for sponsoring this episode of The Dark Zone. Reach out to us at Brian@ardarkzone.com if you'd like to explore possible episode sponsorships. Rates are beyond reasonable.

Jay Petervary joins The Dark Zone to talk about his introduction to Adventure Racing, what he learned racing alongside his teammates, his transition into a champion bikepacking ultra-endurance cyclist, and how he finds more fulfillment today in helping others make it to the start and finish line than in his own racing.

Show Notes:

Website - www.jaypetervary.com

Thank you to Liz and Michelle Faucher of Adventure Addicts Racing for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 USARA National Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Mary Foster, Alyssa Godesky, Wayne Leek, Greg Prouty, and Race Directors Brent Freedland and Abby Perkiss for joining TDZ for an in-race flash episode live from the race course. It's been a great, fast race and their analysis/thoughts help everyone at home get a sense of the race so far.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/rivers2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.rootstockracing.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Sarah Goldman joins The Dark Zone to talk about her introduction to AR, what she has learned from being an Outward Bound team member, her favorite podcasts and short films (for when she's, believe it or not, unmotivated), and why challenge and strife are necessary to building strong relationships in racing and in life.

Show Notes:

Ferrington Family Fire Relief - https://www.gofundme.com/f/ferrington-family-fire-relief

Outward Bound - https://www.outwardbound.org/

The Dirtbag Diaries - https://dirtbagdiaries.com/

Sarah Hueniken - https://www.instagram.com/huens/?hl=en

Cody Townsend - https://www.instagram.com/codytownsend/?hl=en

Will Gadd - https://www.instagram.com/realwillgadd/?hl=en

Join us as we hear from Michael Garrison, Executive Director of the United States Adventure Racing Association. Garrison/Mike/Michael (we call him all three during the podcast) is a longtime racer and not only offers an overview of adventure racing for the new person, but also speaks to what AR means to him and why he is so passionate about the community.

Thank you to New Zealanders Fynn and Molly of Team Fear Youth for returning to The Dark Zone (Check them out on Episode #30) to recount their experience at Godzone, Chapter 11. They had a great race and do a fine job telling the world all about it. They offer a master class on how to level up from Year 1 to Year 2 and do it in the typically humble NZ sort of way.

Be sure to check out:

https://godzoneadventure.com/

https://www.facebook.com/fearsocietynz/

Eric Caravella of Packrafting Adventures joins the show today to talk packrafts, their use in adventure racing, and the journey that brought him to be the founder of Packrafting Adventures. Thank you to the United States Adventure Racing Association for partnering with The Dark Zone to offer a playlist of companion videos.

Link to the companion video playlist - USARA Packrafting Video - https://tinyurl.com/USARAPackraft

Shownotes:

Packrafting Adventures - www.packraftingadventures.com

The United States Adventure Racing Association - www.usara.com

Eastern Mountain Wilderness Challenge - https://www.packraftingadventures.com/emwc

Aquabound paddles - https://aquabound.com/

Werner Paddles - https://wernerpaddles.com/

Alpacka Rafts - https://alnk.to/58k84XE

Hyperlite Mountain Gear - https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/

Astral PFDs - https://astraldesigns.com/

EEZYCUT Cutting Tools - https://eezycut.com/

Northwest River Supplies (NRS) - https://www.nrs.com/

American Canoe Association - https://americancanoe.org/

Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Mountain_Wilderness_Classic

Grant Killian - http://www.untamedne.com

Dick Griffith - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYLNETY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Luc Mehl - https://thingstolucat.com/

Roman Dial- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1TFTRY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

For adventure mapping: - Caltopo.com

Today's guest is Jen 'Seegs" Segger. Longtime AR racer, coach, and all-around font of knowledge and wisdom. Today's episode goes deep on the finer points for the newer racer including training, foot care, sleep strategy, and how not to sleep in the jungle. (Spoiler Alert - Don't lay on the ground).

TDZ listeners can visit https://www.jensegger.com/sprint-adventure-race-course and enter the code DARKZONE for a listener-only discount. Thank you to Jen for making that available to the fans of TDZ.

Vermont Adventure Racer Megan Moir, known for her hard work, effort, and positive attitude, is one of the more frequently requested "Hey, can you bring her on the show?" guests that TDZ hears about. In Episode 107, Megan shares her athletic background, entry into the sport, and how she has grown as an adventure racer. We were delighted to have her on the show. Enjoy!

Megan's Palmeres:

1st Place - 2-Person Coed - The Longest Day

1st Place (Tie) - Solo - Tug Hill

4th Place - 2-Person Coed - The Hard Fall

2024: Completed Five Races (and lived to tell about it) - Tug Hill, The Longest Day, The Hard Fall, USARA Nationals, and Two Rivers AR.

Expedition Race Experiences:

Endless Mountains 2022 - Finished

Endless Mountains 2023 - All mandatories and some optional checkpoints

Endless Mountains 2025 - Returning for another go at it!

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

www.endlessmountainsar.com

https://tughilloutfitters.com/tug-hill-extreme-adventure/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/two-rivers-adventure-race.html

https://www.usara.com/national-championships-2024

https://www.gmara.org/races/hardfall/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Wilo Nater - Father, U.S. Army Veteran, Educator, and Adventure Racer - of Team Onyx tells us all about his recent experiences at the recent USARA National Championships, his introduction to the sport, and the steep learning curve that he is enjoying as a newcomer to AR. Listen along as his infectious spirit, love of all things outdoors, and his joy in being part of a team just pours out of him. Thank you, WIlo, for sharing your experience and enthusiasm with us.

Links:

Team Onyx - https://www.usara.com/tales-from-ta-the-usara-blog/get-to-knowteam-onyx

Originally recorded in May 2022, Katie Ferrington of Never Summer Race Productions joins The Dark Zone to talk about her entry into the sport, the big and small races that she has competed in, her growth into becoming a race director, and how AR prepared her for a recent life challenge. In this episode, listeners will learn about being a good teammate, where the best food is usually found (hint: in your teammate's pack), and how challenges, both big and small, can be overcome.

Shownotes:

Never Summer Race Productions - https://rockymountainadventureseries.com/never-summer-24hr/

Rocky Mountain Adventure Series - https://rockymountainadventureseries.com/

Thank you to Nathalie Long, Race Director for Raid The Rockies, for joining TDZ to talk about her newest stage race in the Canadian Rockies, her own racing career, and a little race called UTMB. Natalie runs the well-named Adventure Immersion Lab and her racers got their fair share of immersion at the inaugural Raid the Rockies.

Shownotes:

https://www.adventureimmersionlab.ca/

https://arworldseries.com/races/raid-the-rockies-canada

https://utmb.world/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to the hardest working AR analyst in the business Brent Freedland of Rootstock Racing for sticking around AFTER our Worlds episode to offer his thoughts on the upcoming USARA National Championship Race being held in Bishop, CA this weekend. The terrain, the teams, and the big race picture are all discussed. Sit back and enjoy this flash episode of The Dark Zone.

Shownotes:

www.usara.com

Today's guest is ARWS CEO Heidi Muller. Longtime Race Director, Adventure Racer, and now CEO of the ARWS, Heidi shares her journey from racer to RD, and how the ARWS is working to support aspiring race directors. Be sure to follow the 10th Anniversary of Expedition Africa: Lesotho coming April 2022

Shownotes:

Expedition Africa - http://www.expafrica.net/Events/Expedition-Africa-500-km-Lesotho-2022

Adventure Racing World Series - https://arworldseries.com/

Today’s guest is the United States Adventure Racing Association Executive Director Michael Garrison. He joins The Dark Zone to walk our listeners through the revised entry process for USARA Nationals, the role of the team ranking system, and he shares some thoughts on the future of Adventure Racing.

Shownotes:

United States Adventure Racing Association - www.usara.com

Thank you to Nationals Race Director Chris Yager and Team Grit Adventure members Jesse Spangler and Jesse Tubb for coming onto the show. This episode recounts their 2nd place finish at the 2023 USARA National Championships. All three guests have been on TDZ previously and they do a great job recounting the race, discussing their nutritional and navigational strategy, and sharing their training in advance of such a strong performance. Their teammate Amanda Bohley was missed but she'll be on soon enough to share her experience as well.

Shownotes:

https://www.grit-adventures.com/

www.rootstockracing.com

www.orienteer.co

www.mcdonalds.com

www.snickers.com

Rootstock Racing's Abby Perkiss and Brent Freedland join The Dark Zone to talk about their new 5-day adventure race - The Endless Mountains - an ARWS Demonstration Race for 2022, partnering with Bend Racing and Expedition Canada, and how communicating and working together helps to grow the sport.

Show notes:

Check out Expedition Alaska - https://www.amazon.com/Expedition-Alaska-Hyperion-XIII-Productions/dp/B07QY95QMT

The Endless Mountains Adventure Race - www.endlessmountainsar.com

Shawn Lemaster of www.361adventures.com joins The Dark Zone to talk about The Fig, his racing career, the Breakdown Bikepacking Route, and all the things that adventure racing and bikepacking have taught him over the years. We go deep into not only AR but the idea of adventure in general, doing so with friends, and how much we both hate busy roads at night.

Show Notes:

The Fig Adventure Race - http://361adventures.com/fig

Breakdown Bikepacking Route - http://361adventures.com/breakdowning

Thank you to Per Vestling and Oskar Svärd of The Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT) for coming onto the show. The 2023 Adventure Racing World Champions Per and Oskar, alongside their teammates Malin Hjalmarsson and Team Captain John Karlsson, captured their 2nd championship in the last three years at the ARWS World Championship held in Kouga, South Africa in October 2023.

Shownotes:

https://www.facebook.com/swedisharmedforcesadventureteam/

https://arworldseries.com/

https://orienteer.co/

The Eastern Mountain Wilderness Challenge, the brainchild of Eric Caravella of Packrafting Adventures, was held for the first time this past August in New York State's Adirondack Park. A wilderness area larger than the State of Massachusetts, the Adirondacks offer a true backcountry experience for the teams that took on this 30-hour, four-checkpoint race. That's right. No bins. No TA's. Nothing. Just a set of maps and an expansive wilderness.

Follow this link to see the race maps and the route choices of each of the teams:

https://www.packraftingadventures.com/emwc-2022

Those maps will come in handy while listening to this episode.

Thank you for being a listener. Please leave a review on your preferred streaming platform of choice. That's the best way to spread the word about The Dark Zone.

Tim Buchholz of Rib Mountain Racing recounts his team's USARA Nationals experience, talks about his growth as a racer, speaks about his best and not-so-best races (Who needs to bring all the maps anyway?), and reminds us that people from Wisconsin are just the nicest people. He's so nice that when he passes you during a race he offers a bright smile and really hopes you have a great race. Yep, one of those guys. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Tim and his tales of racing greatness.

Stephanie Ross, USARA's nationals coordinator, competed in her first adventure race Odyssey's twelve-hour Jeep Kentucky AR at Carter Caves State Resort Park in 2002. She raced it solo and was completely demoralized by the course - and also completely hooked on the sport. A year later, she designed her first race, the Red River Gorge American Classic, aka the Fig, now the longest-running adventure race in Kentucky. She continued to organize races under the Flying Squirrel Adventure banner until 2015, when she turned over the Unbridled AR series and the Fig to 361 Adventures. Her efforts now focus on bringing more women (and youth) into the sport, through the Women of AR campaign. She has directed two USARA National Championships and has assisted with planning and vetting courses for Nationals since 2010.

Our conversation is expansive and wide-ranging - from her background in AR, how to be an aspiring race director, and her important and vital work with the Women of AR initiative.

This was a fun one to record, and I hope that you find Steph. Sit back and enjoy Episode 5 of the Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast.

2021 USARA National Championships Race Director Paula Waite of 180Adventure joins The Dark Zone to talk about the recent championships, the course, the experience of various teams, and her own adventure racing career. A longtime racer, RD, and advocate for the sport, Paula and her team brought the ar community a very successful national championship. Join us to learn more and hear directly from her.

Thank you to Grant Killian for joining us for our 100th episode. Untamed New England holds a special place in the AR World as well as for The Dark Zone as it was the first expedition race that we tackled. A legendary race, UTNE was known not only for its challenging terrain and navigation, but for the ethic of exploration and discovery brought to the event by Grant. Even though the UTNE was last held in 2018, the DNA of his race lived on in many of today's most popular races (and we hope that this episode will help bring UTNE back!).

Shownotes:

http://untamedne.com/_/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

New Zealanders Molly and Fynn join the show to talk about their recent GODZone experience, their preparation for such a long and ambitious course, and what they learned during the race. All of this is delivered in that wonderful and positive New Zealand way that will have you looking at flights to the island nation. Special thanks to Team Bend Racing's Jason Magness for joining the episode.

Thank you to The New York Adventure Racing Association (www.nyara.org) for sponsoring today's episode. NYARA offers a variety of races and other events in and around the New York and New Jersey area. Special mention goes to their premier race "The Longest Day" - a 24-hour race and a USARA Regional Championship.

Shownotes:

https://godzoneadventure.com/

www.nyara.org

Dan Staudigel - a stalwart companion for all things Bend Racing - joins The dARk Zone to talk about racing, life, how to be a good teammate, and what it's like to find yourself in your underwear in Fiji. Be sure to check out Dan's website - www.orienteer.co - as well.

Thank you to TanZ Navigation for joining as a sponsor of the dARk Zone. Visit them at www.tanznavigation.com. Email Brian@ardarkzone.com to enter a lottery to win a copy of Mark Lattanzi's book Squiggly Lines.

Show Notes

Anti-Fragile Book

The Adventure Race World Series

Eco-Challenge:Fiji

Backyard Ultra

Thank you to Adrian Crane for joining The Dark Zone to share his adventure racing stories and wisdom. Adrian has competed in every Eco-Challenge, among many other events, and shares not only his stories from back in the day, but what he sees today as an Adventure Racing World Series referee. We are fortunate to have Adrian on the show and the TDZ community is grateful for his time.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.

Today's guests are Jason Magness and Darren Steinbach of Team Bend Racing

As listeners will remember from episode #22, recorded just three days ago on February 22, 2022, Team Bend Racing's Darren Steinbach, who is providing support for the team, called in live from AR Panama to give a mid-race update. Today’s episode is a follow-up and has both Darren and Bend Racing’s Jason Magness. At the time of this recording, the team finished the race just a few hours early, but Jason is able to pull it all together and give us a great overview of the race and Bend’s experience.

The race was a wild time for everyone and thank you to Darren and Jason for joining The Dark Zone.

Shownotes:

Darren Steinbach Instagram - @TravelingDarren

Today we are joined by Zoe F. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A rising 3rd grader, it is safe to say that Zoe, alongside her little brother Simon, has attended more adventure races than any other child in the world. In this episode, she shares her thoughts on teamwork, adventure racing, and her upcoming school year. Thank you to Zoe for taking the time out of her preparation for Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains to spend some time with the Dark Zone.

www.endlessmountainsar.com

The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast is delighted to collaborate with the United States Adventure Racing Association on their new podcast: The Checkpoint. Join Brent Freedland and Brian Gatens as they interview regional race directors and a wide variety of voices from the world of Adventure Racing.

Shownotes:

The Checkpoint on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-checkpoint/id1730696441

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/MO/Eminence/TheBerrymanAdventure

https://www.dinoseries.com/

www.usara.com

Today we are joined by Brent Freedland of Rootstock Racing. A previous guest on The Dark Zone, Brent shares his recent dotwatching experience from Expedition: Oregon and what the race taught him about long distance racing, how the teams did (or didn’t hold it together out there), and how Bend Racing is trying to bring the sport forward. This is all in advance of Rootstock Racing’s Inaugural Endless Mountains Adventure Race which is right around the corner. 

Special thanks to Strong Machine Racing for sponsoring today’s episode. Their premier event - the Maine Summer Adventure Race - is right around the corner and you can learn more about them and their races at www.strongmachinear.com. You’ll have a blast as they take you by foot, bike, and boat to the far corners of Maine. 

Enjoy today’s episode and thank you Brent for joining The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast.

Rootstock Racing - www.rootstockracing.com

Strong Machine - www.strongmachinear.com

Thank you to Marina LeGree of Ascend Leadership Through Athletics for joining The Dark Zone for a discussion of her group's work in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Along the way we draw the connection between her organization's work and what similarities it has to the attitude and ethics of AR.

You can learn more about Ascend and support their work at the following link:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Also, we reference Rebecca Solnit's powerful book: A Paradise Built in Hell during the podcast and that link may be found here:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301070/a-paradise-built-in-hell-by-rebecca-solnit/

Thank you to Team Bend Racing/Skin Doctor for joining The Dark Zone. Only a few hours from their resounding win at Expedition Ozark, Bend Racing recounts their journey, the challenges along the way, and how they held it together at the front of the race for so long. This is a must listen for racers of all speeds as Bend shares so many of their strategies and techniques. Special thanks to Rob Howard of www.sleepmonsters.com for helping to arrange the interview so quickly.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.

Shownotes - Be sure to check out:

https://arworldseries.com/

www.expeditionozark.com

www.bendracing.com

Want to give an expedition race a go?

Be sure to check out www.endlessmountainsar.com

Today we are joined by Rootstock Racing's Karyn DuLaney, Joel Ford, and Paul Miller for a Flash Episode of the Dark Zone. They are fresh off their win at this past weekend's Shenandoah Epic 24-hour Adventure Race. Their highs, lows, strategy, nutrition, and accidentally paddle to the side of a teammate's head are all covered during this podcast. Thank you to them for joining us on short notice.

Shownotes:

www.rootstockracing.com

Darren Steinbach, with just a few days notice, jumps on a flight to Spain and competes in the Adventure Racing World Championships as a member of Oregon's Bend Racing . Join The Dark Zone as Darren walks us through his race, the challenges of the course, and the incredible support offered by his teammates. Plus how a bungee cord became a shin-saving lifeline.

Just hours after winning the ARWS 2024 World Championship, thank you to ARWS 2024 World Champions Team400 - Sébastien Raichon, Sandrine Berange, Adrien Lhermet, and Benjamin Fayety - along with Race Director Santiago Lopez for coming onto this special flash episode of The Dark Zone. Hear as they overcame adversity, worked together, and ultimately captured the world championship.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://live.enabledtracking.com/ARWC2024/

https://proyectoaventura.com/site/13/livearwc24

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Join us as TDZ interviews John Farless and Brian Fribley of No Sleep Adventures. Friends, Adventurers, and Co-Race Directors John and Brian share their love of adventure racing, their introduction to the sport, and how much they enjoy bringing AR to new racers. They also confirm the sport stranglehold that basketball has on the state of Indiana. Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast!

Thank you to ARWS World Championships Race Director Stephan Muller for coming onto the show. This episode is a full course preview of the 2023 World Championships being held in Kouga, South Africa. 800 KM, 10 stages, and over 8 days of racing is just waiting out there for the racers and this episode goes deep on the entire course. Thank you to Stephan for making time for us during the busy days leading up to the race.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-africa-kouga-eastern-cape-south-africa

https://arworldseries.com/