Pain in the Pines Adventure Race April 16, 2005, Tyler State Park, Tyler click images to enlarge
Our team caption and navigator, Jason			Christine and Jason retrieved the paddles and arrived at the check point (PC).
7 a.m. The race began. We had the options of skating, riding scooters or running one loop on the park road. While the “fragile” teams rode the scooters, the majority of the field used the opportunity to warm up for the long day ahead. 7:42 a.m. An easy out-and-back kayaking leg required some “special skills” – we mustn’t use the paddles. (We had turned in our paddles before the race began.) We used our gear-box lids instead. They worked and got us across the lake. After retrieving our paddles, we reached the two CPs without any problems.
8:38 a.m. Mtn biking leg began. After a few tree-hugging and butt-landing moments, it became somewhat exciting. Once, the bike descended faster than my body did and completely flew away underneath me. Glad that the ground was so soft that I didn’t break any bones - LOL :) I did hike with the bike a few times, esp. while descending. The ride lasted 2 hours, 36 minutes.
		11:23 a.m. A relatively short navigation/trekking leg and I was able to keep the shoes dry and clean :) - 1 hour, 36 minutes.
1 p.m. Back in the kayak again and paddled across the lake for the special test - wall climbing.
		2 p.m. A long navigation/trekking leg - 3 hours, 45 minutes.
This one sent us to all corners of the state park and bagan to drain the energy away.
		Sometimes it's better NOT to look down -:)	We ran into Team Kingcrank en route. Remeber him... No? How about the one to the right? -:)
	5:45 p.m. A biking-running leg - Christine and Jason on the bike; Tom and I on foot. I was really looking forward to some running -:) The route was just a little over 5K so we tried to complete it as quickly as we could. We had our passport punched at two CPs and four of us returned to the TA at the same time. Two special tests were waiting for us in there ... As the result of my clumsiness at one of the tests, we had to do 10 push-ups. Sorry, guys! 7:18 p.m. The last biking leg and a very long one – 3 hours, 8 minutes in the dark. Once the adrenalin rushed in, it’s not too bad after all. I had a few falls here and there - mainly because I started feeling fatigue and the reaction became slow. Just a few minor scratches and we all made through the ride in one piece.
Need to Bleed on their way to the finish - Congratulations!!
	10:26 p.m. We finally returned to the TA - It's a long, exhausting day!
Results (4-person co-ed teams)
1. Team Backpacker	7 hours, 49 minutes
2. Need to Bleed	9 hours, 44 minutes
3. Fitstop	10 hours, 47 minutes
4. Kingcrank	11 hours, 46 minutes
5. Team TOW	15 hours, 26 minutes
6. Jamba	12 hours, 45 minutes	short course
7. Green Achers	13 hours, 45 minutes	Short course
For the completed results, visit www.steelsports.net. Links: TOW Adventure Racing Team