Monday, February 15, 2010

Chasing Rainbows

I'm back from Costa Rica and The Coastal Challenge Route of Fire. What a week! From lush rainforest to crossing chest-high raging rivers to cold, wet, windy mountains to dry, dusty plains to rock hopping on reefs and beaches. Highs and lows, happiness and sadness... but terrific fun, thanks largely to the friendship and support of the Team Tenacious girls (Jody, Shelli and Beiyi) and camaraderie of my fellow racers. I learned the hard way that a missed turn can cost you the race and I didn't get the result I hoped for but on the way, I made new friends and learned a lot about my existing ones. Here are some of my favorite memories....

Day 1 : La Fortuna - Rancho Margot















Day 2 : Rancho Margot - Tierras Morenas
















Day 3 : Tierras Morenas - Cuipilapa

















Day 4 : Cuilapa - Curubande











Day 5 : Cuajiniquil Bay - Junquillal Beach













Day 6 : Junquillal Beach - Bolanos Bay















As I watched the antics of some of my fellow racers, I couldn't help but think of the words to Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun"

I'm gonna soak up the sun
Gonna tell everyone
To lighten up (I'm gonna tell 'em that)
I've got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I'm looking up
I'm gonna soak up the sun

Some folks just need to lighten up and enjoy the moment.... Pura Vida!

This was a great race, well-organized, tough at times, very varied terrain as we travelled from the mountains to the Pacific coast. Highly recommended - why not step out of your comfort zone and take The Coastal Challenge?

Huge thanks to Team Tenacious' sponsors:

Special thanks to Jody, Beiyi, Tim Holmstrom, Martin Nobbs and anyone else whose photos I used in this post.