This race report comes at us from Deanna Blegg, a member of the Moxie Gear/Nuun Adventure Racing Team!
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After a successful race in Wulong our Team Moxie Gear/Nuun felt strong and comfortable about backing up the race with The Zunyi Outdoor Quest. The race started on the 16th of October only giving our bodies only two full days rest. They were aching and quite sore so first thing on the agenda when arriving in Zunyi was a massage.
Massages in China are like a lucky dip. You may end up in some little suspect upstairs rooms or if you are lucky you hit the jackpot. Well, that was the start of Jack Pots for us. We were shown upstairs into a 5 chair parlor where we were given funky pajama style clothes to put on.
What followed was 90 minutes of pampering starting with a hot foot bath. We were rewarded at intermission with a hot soup and green tea.
After more body pampering we were fed again with a hot sweet dumpling broth. Yummo. What a lovely treat for the body.
After a little wander around the streets to check out the place we wandered back to the hotel….empty of teams. The opening ceremony had changed evenings and we hadn’t been notified. We were soon to learn that this was to be the experience throughout the event. Random changes in the program leading to an event with many surprises. I like surprises so the format for me was fine.
Unbeknown to us until just a few days before the event we were to find out it was a three person team, not a four like we’d thought. So, who do we keep? It was a really tough decision to make. Teams consisted of 1 female and 2 males. Darren being team captain and myself, token chick made two of the members. Tim Boote (Tim Who?) Or Klayten Smith???? Tim had raced brilliantly in Wulong. He was a strong individual and was vital to the strength of the team. Always looking out, helping out and fully aware of those around him. A marvelous athlete and team member. I could not fault his performance. Klayten, also a super strong athlete, very aware and considerate and once again another quiet achiever.
I have raced over the past couple of years in China against Klayten (both being in different teams yet of similar speeds), and have been very impressed with his race ethic. Early this year when we raced in Mongolia Klayten mentioned he was looking for a team to race Wulong. We were looking for a harmonious team member so he was first on our list. Thankfully he said yes. So in Wulong, as a four person team, I can honestly say it was the loveliest team I’d ever raced with. 100% commitment from each member and I had not a negative thought throughout the event. I felt our race went smoothly with no hiccups and no wasted time.
So, a decision had to be made. Tim had been feeling a little off color with some gut upset. Klayten was a strong and experienced athlete. Klayten it was. Tim was delegated team manager, media liaison, gear organizer, P.A. He was also going to follow the event around as our official photographer however unfortunately his Tummy Bug got the better of him which left him recovering in the hotel room for a couple of days whilst we raced.
