Nuevo Leon Outdoor Challenge, Monterrey Mexico (June 2005)
Team SOLE Grabs the Podium of Nuevo Leon Outdoor Challenge
The setting is central/northern Mexico, the outskirts of Mexico's 2nd largest city. For those that have not visited this region, it may not strike a cord with you. What exists outside of Monterrey Mexico are gigantic 3000 foot spires and peaks towering over the metropolis. Then as one would expect, vast spreads of barren desert. The kind one would expect from central Mexico. I would report about cool wild life or snakes we may have seen during the race, but there is one problem...we saw none. These creatures are a hell of a lot smarter than us 110 or so elite endurance athletes. They stayed underground or where ever they stay to keep cool. Not us, running and hike a bike in cactus and thorn strewn nothingness. Oh yeah, 40-44C, or 110-120F.
Only 5 teams of the 38 team star studded line up would finish this event. Did they try to kill us? Well, not in the traditional sense of the word. Nobody twists our arms to do these events, but this was a real death fest. Many and most teams experience some form of extreme heat exhaustion, stroke, dehydration and plain ol' "out of water and hating life syndrome". These events are about sport. It is the very root of it all. It has come of age that the survival skills are called upon, just to get to the finish line. Teamwork is under a microscope and finishing is not even possible with out an enormous amount of good fortune, preparation and the ability to push on in the face of adversity.
Paul Romero, Karen Lundgren and Darren Clarke would finish the 4 days stage race with a proud 5th place. Each member experienced massive lows and conversely pulled the team at some point. It was a very memorable event in the sense that mental strength and physical strength was tested from start to finish, more so than our typical events. These Mexico events are just amazing in the tour of the local cultures, and an extreme test of adventure skills.
Team SOLE wishes to thank our long list of sponsors and supporters of our 8th year of adventure racing. At press time, we maintain our 3rd place standings in the N. America power rankings. We now look forward to a couple of months off of racing to repair the bodies and prepare for two monster events to finish the 2005 season.
Go fast, take chances.
Paul Romero
Karen Lundgren
Co Captains Team SOLE
www.teamsole.com