Four local women are training hard ahead of the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race in June. ‘All Talk’ team member Lisa Matuzelis reports
It started with a text … “Thinking of pulling a team together for this. Interested?” … reply … “Yes!” And so began the ‘All Talk’ team’s journey towards the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race 2021.
The race will be held at Crescent Head on the June long weekend (11-14 June). Competitors will be pushed to their physical and mental limits as they navigate through a course that involves up to 130km of mountain biking, 60km of trail running and 50km of kayaking. Not exactly your average weekend!
The northern suburbs team giving it a go are Teresa Kay, Ange Tokley, Katrina Skellern and myself (Lisa Matuzelis). None of us have much experience in adventure racing, but we’re all strong, independent, self-motivated women who have come together to take on this challenge and share our journey and achievement.
We reside in the suburbs from Thirroul to Woonona, our lives filled with juggling family, work commitments, social engagements, and active lifestyles. By no means are we elite athletes (with the exception of Katrina Skellern and Ange Tokley who nudge that category!) but we are all passionate about maintaining our health and fitness, and occasionally finding the need to express our competitive nature.
The Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race will push us beyond our comfort zones, to where new skills will need to be acquired … like how to use a map and compass! Mental toughness will be challenged … how to function on no sleep! Training will be elevated beyond our usual leisurely pursuits … we’ll have to paddle 50km! We’ll also have to adapt our individual competitiveness and independence to form a cohesive and successful team.
With no more than 17 weeks total preparation time, the All Talk team has taken to this steep learning curve with great enthusiasm and optimism, despite the occasional fear and doubt that creeps in!
Training has highlighted each team member’s unique strengths: Katrina excels at endurance events and has extensive knowledge and experience in multi-discipline racing; Ange showcases her competence as an experienced trail runner and competitor; Teresa is the ultimate workhorse – reliable, versatile and strong-willed; and I’m confident in all things mountain biking and bike mechanics.
Undoubtedly, there will be weaknesses amongst the team that will have to be navigated as we take this journey together.
No challenging endeavour is possible without the belief and support of others. Throughout this journey, the team has had support from family and friends, and from organisations and businesses in the community, with particular mention going to The Edge Outdoor Adventure Store, Steel City Cycles, Thirroul Surf Lifesaving Club, Illawarra Canoe Club, Woronora Boatshed and many others (for more, visit www.alltalkwomen.com/support).
The generosity and encouragement we have received has been inspirational.
If you’d like to follow All Talk during the event, GPS Live Tracking will be available at the GeoQuest website (www.geoquest.com.au/live-tracking) or visit the All Talk website, www.alltalkwomen.com
