Shawn Lemaster 0:00
The very first thing I wrote in there was this, bring the team up. To me. That’s a very clear, very tangible reminder that the things I do before and particularly during our race should be centered around one thing, contributing positively to my team. I need to be a constant contributor.

This is the how to adventure race podcast, you’re listening to me, Shawn Lemaster for this episode, I’m a race director racer bike packer, Adventurer, da da da. And I guess I can add podcaster to the list now. So this podcast and our website howtoadventurerace.com, we’re sharing tips, techniques, resources on well, the best sport in the world. But it’s about one thing, teaching racers to race better. So let’s jump into it.

Imagine that poster. We’ve all seen it or one like it corporate Kevin’s office, poster on the wall, hands in the center, big bold black lettering together. Everyone achieves more. Yeah, Kevin gets it. He knows how to win. You know who else gets it? Richard, remember Richard from Little Miss Sunshine.

Richard 1:27
There are two kinds of people in this world winners and losers. Inside each and every one of you. At the very core of your being is a winner waiting to be awakened and unleashed upon the world. With my nine step refuse to lose program

Shawn Lemaster 1:49
Good stuff. So preparing for the endless mountains race if you’re not familiar with that one that one’s rootstocks expedition race in Pennsylvania, started out on my phone, something I always do for like a big race, big trip, dump thoughts in their plans, what needs to get done? The very first thing I wrote in there was this, bring the team up. To me, that’s a very clear, very tangible reminder that the things I do before and particularly during our race should be centered around one thing, contributing positively to my team, I need to be a constant contributor. So let’s look at a few ways to make this happen in the world world like during an actual adventure race. Now this isn’t as insightful as Rich’s nine step refuse release program. It’s more like four buckets to a better teammate. But we’re going to awaken and unleash upon the world. How To Bring your team up.

Alright, bucket number one redirects, be the bard. I’m not saying I played Dungeons and Dragons, every Thursday at seven o’clock through college, but something like:

“a stern human warrior bangs his sword rhythmically against his chain mill, setting the tempo for his war chant, and exhorting his companions to braver and heroism. The magic of his song fortifies and emboldens them”

That’s too much. Shocking I didn’t have a girlfriend through college. But bards thrive on stories whether they’re true or not. So tell a good story. I’ve raced with some teammates who have had their own talk show, super entertaining. For you know, like an hour past you climbed 1000 feet on your bike, and you’ve had a good time doing it kind of forgotten about it. A great story can change the mood of your team entirely.

Humor is another good one. Dad jokes have a multiplier something like 2.7 after midnight, so that joke that’s probably falling flat where your 12 year old at a soccer game. It’s going to be a real rib splitter paddling about on like zero hours of sleep.

Can you believe we haven’t reached the CP 12. Yet?

Same with songs. Read the room on this one though. I’ve had teams pass singing Cher annoyance level cranked up to 12 and it’s not just because it was Cher.

Ok, bucket number two, hit em in the gut. Brian from the Dark Zone podcast says something like first your stomach betrays you, then your mind then your body. So cut it off right when it begins and embrace some stress eating. Maybe offer a sweet pick me up like sugar can be a great Kickstarter. It’s a real thing.

Or share something different. Have you heard of taste fatigue? So for Expedition Oregon, went to Safeway found a great deal on Kind bars for like 50 cents apiece or something. And each one had to be rung up individually. So after 20 minutes, I literally had a basket of like 75 Kind bars oh my goodness, after like day two could not stand the sight of those things. So mix it up between your team likely your teammates are carrying different things than you are. So if you can stomach it, get a refresher.

Then my favorite, bust out the picnic. So this is when you’re you’re carrying something unexpected in your pack like pizza doubles. Once this was on a backpacking trip, but once snuck away, got some avocados, tomato, lime, some tortilla chips and made tentside guacamole, big hit, unexpected. Everybody loved me.

Bucket number three – needs assessment. So this might not be too flashy, but it’s a good one for like, you know, logistics-brained people like myself, you can really get into it. You’re asking what does your team need right now to make their life better? All right. So let’s work through these kind of like a problem solution format.

Problem. Your navigator Joey is doing because he mangled the attack to CP 22. Solution. Maybe you should get more involved with the supplemental navigation. So things like tighter pace count, would that have helped? Maybe have Joe call out the features that he actually looking for? Did he miss a trail turn off that you should have been aware of? Or you know, realistically did it only cost the team like five minutes? If so forgive? Highlight the awesome job he’s been doing on those whatever first 21 checkpoints and move on.

Problem. Monica has been falling behind since you’ve had a long stretch of road on the track. Solution. First thing, don’t drop her. Seriously. I’ve had teammates out-distance me when I’m in struggling and it sucks. Super discouraging. doesn’t feel like a team anymore. Instead, see what’s up. Is the road march just killing her feet. If so, maybe try a sock change maybe some RunGoo. Or she could be bonking from, you know, not eating; going too hard. Maybe it’s time to circle back to bucket number two, hit her in the gut with that backpack picnic, you squirreled away. Another option is to offer, if the team dynamics are there, insist on taking her pack for a while, get that weight off of her feet. You can also put her on tow. This is kind of a way to stay in touch with what Monica actually needs.

Problem. Ross has broken the derailleur right off of his new Specialized Epic. Solution, try converting it to a single speed. Don’t know how…does anybody know how?If not be that teammate that knows how before your next race. The point here is to fill the gaps within your team, assess the needs, and actually be that homerun Problem Solver that saves races.

Alright, bucket number four. This is the last one. We’re calling it – Everyone knows it’s raining. So keeping a positive attitude. Really, when things really start sucking. It’s the number one thing you can do during your next race to bring your team up. Listen, if it’s raining, everyone knows it’s raining. Your teammates are just as wet as you Yeah, the trails are just as slick for them as they are for you. And yeah, nobody can see riding downhill. Perseverating on this only brings a team further down. So it’s different here. This isn’t saying just shut up and deal with it. If there’s something actionable, that can minimize the suck, by all means speak up like:

“Phoebe give me a second,I need to grab my clear glasses before we bomb down this hill – I can’t see s&@!

If you’re having trouble finding the positives during that downpour, metaphorical or literal. It’s alright, we get it. It’s hard, but at least stay neutral. Being quiet for a bit may be your best option to keep from dipping into the gosh darn negativity.

Richard 8:07
You now have the necessary tools and the insights and the know how to put your losing habits behind you. To go out and make your dreams come true. No hesitating. No complaining. No excuses. I want you to go out in the world. And I want you to be winners.

Shawn Lemaster 8:33
So if you’d like to learn more, you can always hop over on howtoadventurerace.com Check out the blog, video lessons, other podcast episodes and soak up more AR education. We’lll catch you on the next one. Until then adventure race, better.