Race Report: RAID THE HAMMER 2016
Well, I think this is my last race of 2016? I can never be sure. At this point, I am folding in some fun events to keep my training base and not take anything all that seriously. But I have done Raid the Hammer for the past two years and it has become one of my favourite orienteering races.
This race is put on by Don’t Get Lost adventure running – one of my favourite local race series. I have done a few others in the series and highly recommend it. They are well organized, low pressure events where you can put yourself to the test.
This year, I was given the option to do it without a lead navigator on the team so the responsibility fell to me. I knew then that this would not be a fast, competitive AR for me, but would be all about learning the basics. This is why I love this race. It is fun, fast paced and is the perfect practice setting for a new navigator.
To start, you choose the course. You can decide whether you want to do the FULL RAID (about 25 – 30 KM and is supposed to take about 3-6 hours to complete).
Next, you choose your team. I chose to race with two males as a coed team, but you can also race as all male, all female or masters.
Then, you make sure you have everything you need!
This was the list of required gear for this year’s event:
This year, I wasn’t able to get as many photos as I traditionally do because I was the captain of team Laces and Lattes. The moment that we arrived at the starting location (which was held at Saltfleet High School in StoneyCreek), I was reading the clues and plotting the maps.
Exactly at 9:00, they shuttled us to the buses and drove us to the start line near Dundas and we were off!
My team was a really fit bunch. These boys are much faster than I am but I warned them ahead of time that it would be a slower race as I was taking my time to read the maps.
Here are a few of the biggest things I learned out on the course:
- Take your bearings. I found that I was too reliant on what I saw on the map. The important part of orienting yourself is finding a clear landmark, taking a bearing and following through to the place where you want to go. Too many times, I mistakenly thought I could do this without.
- Have conversations with your teammates. When I said my teammates could not navigate, you are to read – similarly to me. I would make decisions but would rely on their opinions as well.
- Don’t be afraid to deliberate. Although it is a race and you are always on the clock while on course, there is nothing wrong with slowing down to make sure that you are certain about your next decision.
- Don’t doubt yourself. I found that too often,I thought I was further ahead than I was and was swayed by the conversations with other teams, etc. Stick with your gut. If the decision is wrong, at least you have ruled it out. Don’t follow other teams – it ruins the point of learning things for yourself.
- Don’t get frustrated. There were a lot of times on course where I made the wrong decision and I felt bad about letting my team down which put me in a negative head space. Reset and move on.
Some of the coolest features on course?
- The Matrix – teams can split up to find different checkpoints which in theory speeds up the process. Sadly, was not the case for us, but we had so much fun.
- Is the checkpoint there? There were two series in the race where the checkpoint was marked by two ribbons. If the ribbon was not there, you marked it down. This was a scary portion for me because I was already doubting my ability to find them and suddenly it may or may not be there. I was unreasonably proud of our team for getting this completely correct.
- Secret checkpoints. You needed to follow a line on the map and see if you could find secret checkpoints hidden along the way.
In the end, we finished in a very underwhelming 7/11 teams and in 6 hours and 45 minutes. This has everything to do with my navigation and nothing to do with the incredible abilities of the athletes I had out on course with me. We reached all of the mini goals I set for the day: we cleared the course, made all the cut offs and had an absolute blast.We had a wonderful time at Raid the Hammer and I am already excited to go back next year and try it again, but better!
If you are interested in trying one of the events in the series yourself, the next one is the IceBreaker Adventure Run on December 4, 2016.
Katherine says
Great race report, Jessica!
This was my first time doing this event, my team did the Half-Raid and it was great fun! We came in 5th out of 50 teams.
Do you happen to have a copy of the Full Raid map? I would love to see it to take a look at what we missed out on, and see if we are tough enough to take it on next year.
lacesandlattes says
Congratulations! You did an amazing job!
I do and I will email it to you.
Katherine says
Thanks, That would be great.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Congrats Jess! Even though you think your result is underwhelming, the fact that you do this sort of stuff still blows my mind (and I’m sure many others, too!) You’ll never learn to be a better navigator without practice, right? Great job!
lacesandlattes says
Aw, you are too kind. But totally right. Practice makes perfect!
Christina @ The Athletarian says
I’m with Angela! Maybe it’s underwhelming to you but when I read these recaps I’m like, “Holy Sh!t!” because I know I’d never be able to do what you do. I’m always so impressed by your ability to complete these races.
Amazing job!
P.S. I miss you.
lacesandlattes says
Don’t say that! You did an ultra and a marathon within 2 months of each other – that is CRAZY awesome.
I MISS YOU TOO!