South Dakota Primal Quest

Au Revoir TeamSouthDakota

2009-07-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

I organized a team once I heard Primal Quest would be in South Dakota. Dan had to move to an alternate team member position due to family reasons. Another team member was added in December. The training and learning new skills has been great. It has given me a reason to be outside as much as possible, which is what I live for anyway. It gives Randy a good reason to tell me to go outside and do more training :)

Fitness is one part of competing in Primal Quest. The other "biggie" is the team. Four people must be able to be train and compete together, be supportive, have open communication, be respectful and understanding. The team dynamics have been a great challenge for the 4 people in South Dakota. Many meetings and creative training and motivational opportunities have occurred the past few months. One reads and hears about the challenges of team dynamics in adventure races. Persons who have been in the military understand the critical importance of team dynamics.

Two weeks ago I made the decision to resign from TeamSouthDakota. Perhaps a change of a member on the team will improve the opportunity for TeamSouthDakota's success in Primal Quest. I have recently trained with a couple teams from out of state. I had a great time, picked up some great tips and worked hard. I continue to train and am hopeful that another team will have a need for a female member. I am ready !

I have received so much support from friends, local organizations and businesses. I thank you all !

Paulette Kirby

Dear Primal Quest

2009-06-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

The latest article in the Rapid City Journal was titled Team South Dakota Gels. We had a 4 hour 'stationary' team meeting this week. A "talking to PQ" type of meeting. I suppose we are geling. Hey!!! Everyone! This is really tough stuff ! There is training, the aches and pains, attempts to attain funds to obtain the remainder of our gear. THANKS again to everyone who has helped so far. THANKS to those who will !You are or can be on our web site and make a tax deductible contribution. There is work and business to fit in. And our dearest spouses and families and friends who see us in passing. And, again, the ultimate challenge, gel the team.

And the most asked question still is: "How is the training going?" It is going, and going and going......We went caving the last week in May. I love caving! This cave was mostly climbing. Quite a work out for all of us. We climbed the night before and trekked 8 hours the day after. We camped out for the weekend. The weather gods were good to us.

Another weekend begins today. I rode my bike to clinic (25 miles), and will run about 15 miles tonight. Tomorrow is a day for individual training. Randy and I will begin at sunrise in the Badlands trekking. Then we will mountain bike in the Badlands. Sunday is a team day. We'll begin early morning with kayaking and then we'll go climbing.

I am looking forward to my visit with Kayte at Acupuncture4Health today. Kayte usually would ask a person to rest after seeing her. But I'll have my running shorts and IPOD with me, reading to zone into the world of music. Thanks to Kayte and Mary who help me continue to train and train and train.

Teamies: I will respect you.
I will be kind to you.
I will trust you
I will support you.
I will do my best for TeamSouthDakota.

On-On,

Paulette

And the training goes on and on

2009-05-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

I (Paulette)participated in a short orienteering course. Went great. I got a mixed up on one control which set me back on time. Any hestation in a short course and your position changes.

This past weekend was the Fat Tire Festival. Ran with the uphill climbers, helped with the Trail run Saturday am and, of course, there was some mountain biking. All team members stayed busy doing their own thing.

Paulette found some really steep hills in her back yard, the forest. One can practice jumaring, rapelling and go-arounds :) doing this. I am not planning to invite Mr Poison Ivy and prefer he doesn't invite himself to these parties.

Primal Quest Team WEDALI Andrea, Jason, Justin and Scott were here to train. They joined up with Gary, Randy and I for a mtb ride in the Hills on Sunday. Great to meet another team. Only casualty was a chain which Team Wedali fixed quickly. Heck of a way to take a rest break.

We raffled a pack during the festival for a fundraiser. Val Stephens was the lucky winner. We raised a little more $$ for the team.Every little bit helps. Thanks to all who contributed !!

We Are Family

2009-05-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

That load clicking noise that you heard this weekend was a Team coming together. Finally everybody was here and ready to rock and the weather cooperated. Friday started with 2+ hours in the kayaks.Then followed up with trekking until midnite. Mostly just a hike but did have to hit a handrail to get back.

7:30 Saturday was a 20 mile Nav. I set 7 points and set them loose. They nailed them all but 3.We figured later they were about 300 meters from it. Lesson learned is that everybody shouldn't second guess at the same time. But they all agreed on the plan of action.

Lunch was burgers at Sugarshack with a side of feet and bloody thumb. Then the rest of the controls and finish.

Sunday was Railroad Buttes for a ride. It was a combination training and scouting for the Fat Tire Festival next week. 2 hours of Technical and 90 mins of gravel. Then we came back to town set up ropes on M-Hill and did some up and down. It took everybody a few tries to get back in the swing of rope work. And a few jammed jummars but nobdy got left on the hill.

I'll have the Video posted in a couple of days.
If you are in Rapid come to the Fat Tire Film Festival and see if the trailer for Becoming Primal wins anything.

Thanks For Reading
Now go play with Fire

Randy

Perceptions

2009-05-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Began this past weekend on Friday with a paddle on Pactola. Lisa Christensen and I pitched our tents in the forest along the lake. Saturday morning temp was 29 degrees with a fog and cool moist (AND COLD) breeze off the lake. Gary met up with us for a PQ trek for 13.5 miles. Found some new trails and roads. Paulette and Lisa finished the day with another paddle and experienced several weather systems. There was sunshine, light snow, rain, sleet and sunshine. It is nice to paddle with a white sky and white stuff falling onto the kayak skirt.
Sunday, Paulette paddled another 4 hours and biked a couple.
Jason is out of town. Lisa is a Mom enjoying Mother's day.

My Perception Kayak could tell stories,
Paulette

Perfect Reflections

2009-05-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

Friday night orienteering was a great success. We 'scored' by going directly to 7 out of 7 controls. We're getting our team system down for navigation. Seems that Paulette and Jason will be primary navigators, Gary is the detail man for monitoring minutes, terrain, etc. Lisa will soon be in charge of other details such as eating, drinking, etc. This will benefit all of us.
Responsibility of navigation means a lot: Great challenges, I get to play with all the maps which I love to do and that I could be responsible for taking the team on 'alternate routes.' UGH! The house is full of maps and they make great placemats on the kitchen table. Ask Randy.

Team paddling in double kayaks Saturday and Sunday for a total of 7 hours. Thanks to Barb and Dark Canyon Sports at Global Market, we have 2 double kayaks to paddle. There wasn't a breeze or a ripple on Pactola. It was beautiful paddling. Drew joined us both days. Drew loves to have his picture taken so check it out soon when posted! Lisa C. paddled in one of the doubles with us. Jason is in Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, I realized that my perception does not fit in the garage if it is loaded on the top of my vehicle. Crazy noise I heard when I tried to do it! I have managed to make it 20+ years of kayaking without attempting this. The good news is the Honda Element is a strong vehicle and the only damage was one of 4 Yakima posts. Whew!

Life is better in a kayak,
Paulette

Black Hills Pioneer Article

2009-04-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest article that Aaron Nelson wrote about the Team.

http://www.bhpioneer.com/articles/2009/04/16/outdoors/doc49e74f1f29c4d837219203.txt

Enjoy.

Randy

How is Training Going ?

2009-04-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

People ask us this. We ask ourselves this. We think we are doing well. Lots to work out and figure out as newbies to PQ and as a new team. We are thankful the snow seems to be melting away. The temperatures are beginning to rise. The creeks are flooded, causing great play waves but tricky creek kayaking. The dirt roads and trails are mud.

How is training going. GREAT! We are climbing each week, PQ style. Thanks to Jay and Dave in Utah. We are learning to cave, not spulunk (sp?). We are learning how to navigate, crawl and get polka dot bruises in caves. Master's swimming and kicking gets the heart rate up. Thanks to Barb at Global Market, we have a couple double kayaks to play with on the water. We are getting better at trekking/running at a PQ pace. This means a pace we can maintain for the endless miles and hours that may(will ?) be required. It is always tempting to just run! We are hungry to ride for hours and miles. This will be soon. We are experimenting with foods and eating and getting the calories in as we play (train?).

Thanks to everyone who has supported us and helped us with sponsorship. You can't beat the support of locals in SD and friends.

Our needs for gear and support continue. We 'give back' as much as we can. Give us a call!

Paulette

Come to the Coast, We'll have some fun.

2009-04-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have been Eddie Slovicking my post. Seems life has been a little hectic here. We have had to dig out of 2 Spring blizzards the last 2 weekends. I am ready for nice weather. Yesterday I had to shovel 600 ft of driveway so I could get up the Hill.

The Team was in Moab Utah 2 weeks ago for Jay Smith's rope course.I hope nobody else goes.It will be a big advantage for TeamSouthDakota. They went to Moab with a bunch of new gear and came home knowing how to use it. There were 3 days of learning to us Assenders, rappeling, traversing and some free climbing. They even got so adventure training. Do to the weather they left a day late and spent a couple of days in the Denver airport coming home.

They were each on their own last weekend also. The snow shut everything down until Sunday pm. Jason,Lisa, and Gary got to the Y on Sunday and did do some indoor climbing.

This will be a good training weekend. Swimming,Kayaking and some climbing on Saturday. Caving on Sunday.

I have updated the Website. The Moab video will be posted in a day or 2, and be waiting for the First offical Podcast soon.

Thanks for reading
Now go play Roy Rogers

Randy

Why Adventure Racers Aren't Like Normal People

2009-03-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

So Paulette and I are spending our anniversary watching Transporter 3 when Haven. He had just talked to Dan Austin who is taking the Team caving the next day.He had a few last minute details,like,oh I don't know.oh yeah. We will start with a 75 foot rappel into the cave. Just little things. So Paulette gets off the phone and we are talking about the unknown,and being scared, and a little freaked out. Except She has this big grin on her face and can't wait to go. Normal People wouldn't be smiling.

So the Team loaded the A-Team van and went caving. They all had at least one "Oh Shit" moment, and they are all bruised, scraped up and sore, but they had a good time. Paulette said She might even go caving after PQ.

We also got a Sock sponsorship this week. Point6 socks is going to supply socks to the team. I have been wearing Point6 since I got some at Leadville last July. They are the best lastest wearing socks I have ever had. They are cool in the summer and warm in the snow.

Thanks Point6

Thanks for reading
Now go have so Taters

Randy

Got your ears on Snowman?

2009-03-10T19:01:00.001-07:00

Just when it seems to be getting nice, we get dumped on again. Everybody on the Team is ready for nice weather. It's a pain to point out features on the map with gloves on.
The Team met with barb from Global Market Friday night. They are ordering their kayak gear. Barb is working with NRS to get a good deal. Most of the Kayakers in town ended up at Global Fri. and them and the Team went to dinner at the Firehouse. The whitewater park that Paulette has been working on is coming along. They are getting their 501c and some people interested in helping out. (money)

We went to the Bald Hills For workout and nav on Sat. I set up a bunch of UTMs with Google Earth. Jason,Lisa and Gary worked them out on the map and away we went. They had one mistake but figured it out soon and were back on course.

Saturday night was pool night kayaking. It was a good turn out nearly 20 kayaks.

Sunday they went to Ft. Meade. First a little mud mountain biking and the more Nav. The first 6 points went good but they had trouble with the last one.Everybody got a little frazzled but made it home.

Then we got snow on Monday and now it will be muddy for awhile. Back to Treking.

Thanks for Reading
I'm eastbound and down

Randy
Now go have a Coors

Double Your Pleasure

2009-03-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

We are Media darlings. Twice this week the Team was on the Primal Quest Badlands site. First it was a shout out to this blog and today there was a Press Release from the State. It quoted Paulette on the training that the Team is doing.

This will be our first full team full weekend of training. Treking and Nav on Saturday, a pool Kayak session Saturday night. Sunday will be Bikes and Nav at Fort Meade if the weather warms up a little.

Stand by for video Tuesday.

Thanks for reading
now go double your

Randy

The Calm Before the Storm

2009-03-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's been a quiet weekend for TeamSouthDakota. I think everybody need a semi-easy workout. Next week Jason is here and the fecal is going to hit the fan. Pretty much every weekend is going to be training.
Gary, Paulette, and Lisa did a 5 hour snowshoe on Saturday. It was a pretty nice day after a crappy week. We are all ready for nice weather. And Daylight Savings next week.
March will be busy. The Team will be caving on the 15 and going to Rope school the 27-29.
Then lots of Nav and Treking.
Sunday was the Runners club hosted fun run. I ran but Paulette rode Her bike to town. She is getting more comfortable on the new Kona.
This weeks training video will be posted tomorrow.

Thanks for reading
Now go find a Perfect Storm

Randy

Sixteen Tons

2009-02-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

It is probably a good thing we didn't know how much work it is just to get ready for PQ. Everybody is doing something with the gear list and training.
It's a good sign however. The workload has just split up without much discussion. That means that the team is on the same wavelength.
Lisa is working on the climbing gear, it seems easy, just get what is on the list. But no. She has to go to this site for this piece and then over there, then the ropes guy says "no you need this" then this one isn't right. Granite Sports has been great in helping us out.
Haven did the early research on gear and the best prices,and him and Lisa got the trip to Moab for the ropes course together. And he is dealing with a new puppy at home.
Paulette is working on the kayaking gear and setting up the weekend training sessions (and putting up with her new computer geek)
Of course Jason (aka FNG) isn't doing much. Just looking for gear and money and packing to move. Slacker.
Of course they all are working, training 3/4 hours a day and trying to be somewhat normal (?).
The good news is that the race will be easy compared to getting ready.

Thanks for reading
Now go play in a coal mine
Randy

I Pity the Fool

2009-02-22T15:51:00.000-08:00

The A-Team rides again. Lisa, Gary, and Paulette did a Nav workout at Fort Meade Saturday.
We took the A-Team van up so they could look at maps and figure out where they are going. It was a nice sunshiny day but with a cold wind. We did a combination of landmarks and shooting bearings. Pretty much hit every post. And they knew when they were in the wrong place. That may be the most important thing. When you are in the wrong place how do you find out where you are and get back on track.

Jason was at a bike show in Minn. working on get some different sponsorships. 2 more weeks and the team will be together and real work starts. Tentatively they have a caving day with Dan Austin in 2 weeks. That should be interesting.

Everybody is ready for it to be nice. Reading maps is easier if you aren't shaking in the wind and cold.

Paulette did a 2 hour ride on Her new Kona Sunday. It was cold but she really wanted to get out and ride it.

Thanks for Reading
Now go put on some Gold chains and beat somebody up.
Randy

Born to Run

2009-02-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Just a quick shout out to the Black Hills Runners Club. The club stepped up and gave us a big chunk of money. This helps you with the climbing gear and the ropes course in Moab. Paulette, Gary, Lisa and Jason are going at the end of March. The course is taught be the same people that will be setting the PQ Badlands ropes.

Tomorrow is a swim and Nav day.

Paulette will be at the Rapid City Sports Show tomorrow. The Black Hills Paddlers are raffling a Kayak. It is a fund raiser for the Whitewater Park.

http://blackhillspaddlers.org/

Thanks for Reading
Now go say hi to Rosalita

Randy

Back Pack Fun

2009-02-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've officially started running with a backpack. During PQ I"ll have about 25-30lbs strapped to my back...so there is no better time to start. Today there was only 6.5lbs of randomness carried (couple pairs of pants, books, avid bb7's) and I can feel the extra weight in my legs, abs and lower back. It's safe to say that I'll be doing extra crunches and back extensions at the gym tonight.

11 days...
-jmk

There's plenty of snow!

2009-02-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

There was fresh snow through the night and on & off through the day.

Lisa, Paulette, Randy and Emma snowshoed 15 miles Saturday. We added in some navigation points. It is fun to compare the present with the topo map, last updated in 1957 ! The paved road to our home is not on the map. We made our own trail and ended up intersecting the Dead Gary (M) Trail which led to the Centennial Trail. Gary (H) was driving to and fro Montana. Jason will join us soon.

The last 2-3 miles,
we laughed and smiled.
Emma needed leashing
because the snow balls were freezing
to her face.
She was blind,
the trail she couldn't find,
she ran into a tree.

Poetry, poetry, how I love that poetry!

Paulette

Like a Ton of Bricks...

2009-02-11T14:20:00.000-08:00

What a ride! Randy sent an email last Monday, over-thought Tuesday-Friday, met up with the team for a hike and ride Saturday-Sunday, Randy called Monday giving me the go ahead. This opportunity is once in a lifetime…and I couldn’t be happier. When contemplating the decision about exhausting myself and living on very little sleep for 10 days, several factors came into play; time, money, ability, crapping in a bag and carrying it…hell, could I even stand these people?

It was very fortunate that I was able to fly into Rapid last weekend to meet Gary, Paulette and Randy. Lisa was in PHX, but I’m assured we will communicate very well. I’m told she is a wordsmith, like myself, which is important in PQ=) After the first couple of miles hiked, I knew that Gary and Paulette where my kind of eggs. Gray is very intelligent, humble and a pervert. Paulette is the same…but she likes better music. It will be nice training with Randy as well, although he will not be competing by our sides, its nice to know he has our backs. He is one of the most generous people I’ve every met and I couldn’t think of a better team director.

This will undoubtedly be the hardest athletic event I have ever done. Harder than all the road races, marathon mtb races, and 24 hour events combined. Just to show how hard this event will be, I look to the statistics…no “home team” has ever completed PQ. When I asked Gary about this, he simply said “It’s Fucking Hard.” I’m most worried about foot care and the lack of sleep. Riding a bike is second nature, I can run and hike all day, caving and climbing I can learn, but I don’t know how it will all come together after my feet are turned to hamburger and I’m seeing the Virgin Mary dancing with a tree. But it’s going to take more than that for me to THINK about quitting!

How's that for motivation...see you in March?
-jmk

One Door Closes and Another Opens

2009-02-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

It is a mix of good and not good news.

Dan has to drop out of the team. His wife Robin is having some health problems and Dan made the decision that he can't deal with that and help Robin and be commited to the team. Family is always first. Paulette, Lisa, and Gary agree. We are thinking of them and wish them the best.

The good news is that we have found a new teammate. Jason Kingsbury has just moved here from MN. and has brain damage, thinks Primal Quest will be fun. Jason is 28, a runner, mountain biker and mellow guy. He has some climbing and paddling skills. He is also a bike mechanic, that will help in the transitions.

We went for a 4 hour trek Saturday and a Ride on Sunday. I think he will fit right in with the team. He even knows most of the same words that Lisa uses.

Jason will be posting an essay so you can find out in his own words what the hell he was thinking.

Thanks for Reading
Now go get better Robin
Randy

We'll Always Have Paris

2009-02-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

I took Floppy to the airport this am. It was just like Rick and Elsa. Standing on the pavement in the rain saying goodbye. Of course Rick and Elsa didn't have cell phones, email, and Skype. Oh and they were in a movie and Floppy didn't need a letter of transit. And no Nazis. But other than that it was the same.

Standby for a big announcement soon.

Now go play in the rain,
Randy

Saturday, Feb. 7 & Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009

2009-02-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

by Paulette

Saturday Feb. 7, 2009

Morning started with a PQ run/hike and slide on critter trails near our house. There is still a lot of snow and ice. Randy, Gary H., Jason, Paulette and Tito were there. Tito(4 legged) threw up a couple times. Must be the excitment of his new younger sibbling that will join us when she gets bigger. We welcomed the friendly temperatures. We were out 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Paulette had enough time to stop at home, eat and pack camping gear. Paulette and Karrie met at 1430 to find a campsite and pitch tents in the area of Alkali Creek. We didn't need the campground ! Not when we can pitch tents on high ridges.

At 1600, Paulette, Gary H., Gary M., and Karrie (I'm trying to spell her name correctly but she tells me she had it wrong for a while until she got her birth certifiacte, so I won't feel too bad) were present at the Alkali Creek area, near Ft. Meade. Gary has trained and tested many officer candidates for navigation here. We began in daylight and finished in moonlight. It was grand ! We found all the markers and didn't get lost ! We used topo maps, landmarks such as the moon, the bright planet in the west and the bright star in the east.
Gary & Gary drove home. There was peppermint schnapps, a hike/run and a full moon until 2200 for Karrie and Paulette. Life doesn't get much better than this ! We climbed into our tents at 2200. I was a little worried when I saw frost on the inside and outside of my tent and on my bag when I climbed in. I cinched up my mummy bag, leaving a breathing hole and slept well. Karrie is a new camper and used borrowed gear. She managed to stay warm in the fetal position. At night the noises change to sounds of the wildlife such as cats, hooves, and coyotes.

Sunday Feb. 8, 2009

We awoke in our tents to a beautiful sunrise. We hiked/ran for 2 1/2 hours. Again, we enjoyed warm temperatures. We checked out the spot where I have found fossils in the past. So interesting to find these in the prairie at elevations of about 3500 feet. It was interesting to navigate the same areas from last night in the daylight. Working up a sweat is not as worrisome when one can get into a warm car to drive home.

Randy will be one of the last persons Gary Miller sees in SD when he takes him to the airport tomorrow morning. Lucky guy! Gary will be in Iraq soon. I'll be thinking of him, and again, talking to him throught the wonders of e-mail. He has been immensly helpful sharing his friendship, knowledge and experience with navigation, web training and support. I'll miss him and look forward to seeing him back in Rapid City in a year.

"Merci Beaucoup and Au Revoir Gary"

Paulette

O Say Can You See

2009-02-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

It's been a quite week at TeamSouthDakota. I had a Birthday, Paulette and Lisa picked up their new bikes, and Floppy's getting ready to go to Iraq.

This whole mess is sort of Floppy's fault.

It started in 2002 (cue flashback music). In 2002 I won the over 40 24 Hour Mountain Bike World Championship. Cool. So in 2003 I decied to do a Lance and only do one race, Worlds. It didn't go good. When I got home I was pretty depressedand didn't want anything to do with a bike. So I started running a little. One day I went with Skippy who was getting a new Mac. Floppy was there and knew me from races. Me I don't remember anybody, but took His word for it. He suggested that I come and run Wednesdays with the Runers Club,I did, it was fun, Paulette started running a bit, then we started trail running, and we ran the Centennial every Spring, and the Paulette did an Adventure race or two, and time passed and Primal Quest came to town.

Now Floppy is going to Iraq for a year,and We will miss Him. He's been helping with Nav and map reading. It's not hard to till that He's been teaching for like 50 years. He has also set up our website and showed me how to work it. Worst of all He set Me on the path to the Dark Side,my name is Randy and I am a Mac user.

So it sucks that He won't be here to help with training and the race. But We will be thinking about him (and Skyping) and a year will pass fast and He will be home and I'll have to give back one of my Macs. But that will be OK.

Randy

Thanks for reading
Now go play in the sandbox

Hello MaryLou

2009-01-31T08:11:00.000-08:00

Aaron Nelson of the Black Hills PIoneer wrote a nice article on the Team this week. We all spent some time talking to him.Aaron will be doing more stories as training moves on. He is a mountain biker and will be coming out with on some rides.

http://www.bhpioneer.com/articles/2009/01/31/breaking_news/doc4981de2a4ab3f896377982.txt

Speaking of rides Haven picked up his Kona http://www.konaworld.com/index_na.htm this week.Paulette is going to get Hers today.

Thanks for reading
now go play in a DC-3
Randy

O Canada

2009-01-27T15:46:00.001-08:00

We just found out that are new Kona's are in.Tim at Acme hooked us up with Kona and 4 new 120 Supremes to train and race on.

Now we need some nice weather so we can try them.

The training schedule is coming together. We will do the Black Hills Adventure race May 2nd and then I will set up a course for the team to do over night. May 15/16 we are going to trek the Centennial Trail all 112 miles. 2 weeks later a 2 day kayak. and the in June a double Mickelson, Hill City to Edgemont and back and then to Deadwood and back.

Then lots of Nav in July.

Thanks for reading
now go play under a Harvest Moon

Randy

Another Cold Shot

2009-01-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 25, 2009

There is fresh snow, the sun is out and the temp is still in the single digits today. Gary H., Lisa G., Randy, Emma and Paulette were present. We started at our house so we don't need a trail (do we ever?). We make our way hiking and running in the snow. The trail is everything but flat, which keeps us warm. Emma bounds through the snow. The views are nice, especially when we overlook Pactola, which is snow covered and frozen. You can see this view on the video from today. Thanks to Randy, the camera man. We are out 3 hours.
Afterwards, we make plans for future training, gear, cost and obtaining sponsorship. Paulette has posted new plans on the calender.
We hope Dan, our team member who lives in Sioux Falls, will join us in 3 weeks.
Paulette finishes the day with Dexter, a spin on her bike (snow and ice free), weights, and pull ups.

Should we listen to Scat Scratch Fever

Paulette

Cold Shot

2009-01-25T19:48:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 24, 2009

We had to keep moving to keep warm. The temp was in the single digits. We started in Hill City. Gary H., Carrie, Randy and Paulette braved the cold. We found the Delmode Mine. We used spare gloves and Gary's hand warmers. Thanks to Gary ! Not too slow, not too fast, because sweat would have frozen, as the hose to my camelback did. Fresh snow and beautiful views as we hiked and ran a loop to the east. We were out 3 1/2 hours.
Keeping with Randy's tradition, go listen to some Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Paulette

Train Kept a Right on Rollin'

2009-01-18T07:49:00.001-08:00

So what is the Team doing for training this time of year.
They are pretty much working on their base of fittness. Paulette is doing 10-12 workouts a week.She will swim or run an hour two or three times during the week. After work it is a longer run or a workout on the spin bike at home. It's still a little tough to get out to ride.
Lisa does bootcamp at the Y and runs and swims,Haven is running, swiming, and running around like a headless chicken. Dans doing the same in Sioux Falls although He is still in recovery mode from the 48 hour run.
Saturday Gary, Lisa, and Paulette did Masters swim at the Y and then we went up to Sylvan Lake to work on map and compass.
We had Lisa C., Carrie, Floppy, Joe, and Joe Jr.
The team spent about 4 hours tramping in the snow figuring out where we were on the map.It's a pretty tough area to navigate in.
They went back today. We thought it would be good to run it againwhen the map features would be fresh in their heads.

thanks for reading
now go play in an elevator
Randy

Lean on Me

2009-01-14T18:43:00.001-08:00

Paulette and Dan had a long talk about legs and lack of.Right from the start we all knew that Dan being an amputee would add an extra thing in the race.But it's not a concern Dan has had a lot of experience in a bunch of tough races. So He knows how to take care of it. And there is a possiblity that they might have to carry a leg sometime, no biggie.

Gary has been a little concered and then Dan worries that we are worried and then we worry...

So the bottom line is that it is officially a non-issue now. We will just deal with anything that comes up.

I spent so time on the phone with Arron Nelson of the Deadwood Pioneer newspaper.(Hi Aaron) he's doing a story on who these strange people are that are doing Primal Quest.
I'll let everybody know when it's out

thanks for reading
now go play with Christine
Randy

Check this out

2009-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is from the Black Hills Travel Blog

http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/

Randy

57 Channels and Nothing On

2009-01-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

We went to Railroad Buttes Saturday and did a TV interview with Fox KEVN. Megan Polera came out did some on camera chatting with Paulette and the shot a lot of running footage.Of coure We haven't seen it since we have no TV at home,but it's been taped and we may watch it tonight.

KEVN is planning on doing stories all thru the Team training and the Primal Quest. Next time Dan is out Megan wil do another story.If we know ahead of time I'll post when it will be on.

After going Hollywood we did a 2 hour run.It was a little muddy but really only affected the dogs. Emma and Tito needed baths after.

Haven and I both did multiple trips sliding down the Cliff of Death. The Cliff of Death is a 300 ft. shale wall that you can slide down. I have been doing it for 30+ years and it is still scary.

Thanks for reading
now go play in Jungleland
Randy

Communication Breakdown

2009-01-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

I guess every answer can be found in a Led Zepplin song.
We were exploring in the Hill City area and had a communication breakdown.As we climbed up Summit Peak all of a sudden Gary, Lisa, Floppy, and weatherman Joe disappeared.Paulette got a little pissed since We were all supposed to stay together.
After the group came down from the top the Competitors (Gary, Lisa, and Paulette) had a team meeting. It turns out Gary and Lisa thought we would meet at the top, Paulette thought we would stay together.
It was a good lesson in not assuming anything.

It was a good day in map reading.Lisa is really starting to figure out whats what on a map. Between the 3 of them We hit our goals right on. Credit Floppy and his years of teaching OCS.

Maybe everything isn't in a Led Zepplin song. They weren't Dazed and Confused.

Thanks for reading
now go play Stairway to Heaven
Randy

Brave New Year

2009-01-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2009.
Those in the area that didn't make it to the New Years Day run/party missed out.The weather was nice and we did a 5 miler.There were about 30 people here.Lots of food and drink.Maybe it wasn't the hardest training we've done for a while but we had fun.Haven and I did have an interval workout.We chased some motorcycles that were illeaglly ride the Centennial Trail.We didn't catch them however.
This week wee are going down by Hill City to snowshoe/run on Sunday.

Thanks for reading
now go play in the road
Randy

Time to Get to Work

2008-12-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

Now that Christmas is over it's time to get serious. We had a good hard trek Sunday.It was me, Paulette, Lisa,Lisa one kiss, her sister Kim,and Doc and Donna.We went up to the Custer Peak lookout.The first two miles were an easy hike on the plowed road.We made the turn to the top and the snow got deep and everybody put on their snowshoes. Well not me I chose to take my new Zifpy sled.Way more fun on a downhill.Paulette and Lisa broke most trail,I took up the rear.After a few windy minutes we headed down.When we got to the snowmobile trai it was sled time.After some fun runs we started to wonder wwhere the rest of the crew were.Long story short we had to go back to the top to find that they had bushwacked down the powerline.Paulette,Lisa and I got 10 miles with 3422 ft of climbing.

We also got a prelim gear list.Now we have to shop for gear and sponsors.

Thanks for Reading
Now go play
Randy

Christmas Comes Early

2008-12-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

We got this from Rick Emerson a few hours ago!!!

Primal Quest Selection Letter
Season's Greetings!
We regret to inform you that you have been selected by the Primal Quest Badlands 2009
state team selection committee to represent South Dakota. You have eight months to
think about what you've done to deserve 240 hours of physical, mental, and emotional
punishment.
Ha, ha, ha.
Ok, seriously--
The Primal Quest Badlands 2009 state team selection committee is proud to announce
that Paulette Kirby, Gary Haven, Dan Spencer, and Lisa Gustin have been selected to
represent the state of South Dakota in "The World's Most Challenging Human Endurance
Competition." Selection ensures that your Primal Quest registration fee of $11,500 will
be waived. All other costs inclusive of participation in Primal Quest such as gear, food,
medical services, burial, etc. are not waived and will be incurred by all team members.
Submittals were judged on six categories ranging from athletic ability to team dynamics
and from AR skills to overall potential. Every team met our benchmark, stood out in one
or another fashion, and displayed great desire and potential.
Team South Dakota was chosen by highest ranking across the criteria. We believe each
and every team that applied would be a good representative for the state and the region
and do encourage you to seek other sponsors in your dream of participating in Primal
Quest Badlands. As often expressed, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are
confident that all of the teams that applied would be capable of undertaking “The
World’s Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition!”
On behalf of the Primal Quest Badlands 2009 state team selection committee,
congratulations. Thank you again for your commitment and best wishes in your pursuits.
We look forward to monitoring your progress through both training and competition.
Regards,
PQ Badlands SD Team Selection Committee

Waterboarding

2008-12-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Haven and I figured out that Rick and Matt have one last test to see if the team is up to Primal Quest.They are seeing if we go nuts waiting for the results of the Essay.

Not yet.

Team Training is slow right now,it is Christmas.Everybody is out on their own however.
Wednesday we are going to do a 3 hour Christmas eve run.If anybody wants to join us we will be at Buzzards Roost at 9am.

Dan will be running this New Years Eve and day.He's doing a 48 hour run.Check it out at
http://www.acrosstheyears.com/
they do a webcast the day of the race so we can follow his progress.

Merry Christmas
now go run
Randy

Team Essay

2008-12-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here is our Team Essay

TeamSouthDakota
c/o Paulette Kirby
22755 Silver City Rd.
Rapid City, SD 57702

November 20, 2008

Rick Emerson, Matt Reed, and Don Mann
Primal Quest Badlands Selection Committee
4012 Maple Ave.
Rapid City, SD 57701

Dear Rick, Matt, and Don:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that TeamSouthDakota wishes to apply for the South Dakota Primal Quest’s Home State Participant’s Fee Exemption.

Our team’s diverse backgrounds, similar values, and deep local knowledge provide us with the blend of talent and temperament to succeed where other state-sponsored Primal Quest teams have failed. What makes us unique when compared to other state-sponsored teams is our bond as a true team.

Our Goal
TeamSouthDakota’s goal is to be the first “Home Team” in Primal Quest history to finish the full course in the time allotted. TeamSouthDakota is made up of athletes with diverse backgrounds, but similar values; we all love and respect nature, possess a strong work ethic, and have competitive (but compatible) personalities. We have a proven record of excelling as individuals and as a team.

Our Team
We are a great story for South Dakota. Our team consists of two females and two males ranging in age from 41 to 59 from across the state. We are all professionals by trade. Some of us have children, while others do not. Dan is a 59-year old amputee who completed a 135-mile running race in Death Valley, and a triple Ironman. Gary has volunteered hundreds of hours toward building trails with the local mountain bike organization, as well as competing in dozens of long distance running events annually. Lisa introduced mountain biking to 40+ women aged 16 to 60 in 2008, and competed in long distance running events. Paulette is working to develop South Dakota’s first white water kayaking park in Rapid City, and competes in endurance and adventure races.

Intelligence, maturity, and experience are the foundation of our team. Our vocations lean toward the health care field; they include a nurse practitioner, a nurse anesthetist, an occupational therapist, and a health science instructor. Together we know the limits of the human body, and understand the value of training and competing in a manner, which allows us to finish while preventing injuries during training and competition. As you review our accompanying individual biographies, please notice that we possess a wealth of experience with endurance mountain biking and running, adventure and multi-sport racing, hiking and orienteering, and kayaking and climbing.

Our Training
Each of us is experienced in the core disciplines of adventure racing, which comprise Primal Quest. Fitness and training are our individual lifestyles, but we are a team…and we train often as a team. Our baseline fitness is at a level where we could run a marathon or ride a century bike ride, on any given day prior to training for Primal Quest. Trail running, paddling, bicycling, rock climbing, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, and orienteering are activities we participate in throughout the year depending upon season. Annual competitive events include long distance mountain bike events, marathons, ultra marathons, ironmans, triathlons, orienteering, and multi day adventure races.

Our team will post its weekly training events at the TeamSouthDakota Web site: www.sdprimalquestteam.wikispaces.com.

Our training includes maintaining our endurance base. Specific training sessions will focus on learning new skills. Beginning early spring 2009, every 2 weeks, all 4 team competitors will participate in a 24–48 hour training and team building session. TeamSouthDakota will participate as a team in several events prior to Primal Quest. Tentative events include: the Black Hills Adventure Race in April with a 24-hour pre-race training; the Leadville, CO 50 mile Silver King (mountain bike 50 Saturday, run 50 Sunday); the Bighorns Mountain Scenic Trail Run; and a self-supported weekend paddling trip.

Our team members have experience with sleep deprivation in their professional and athletic careers. Since Primal Quest is our ultimate sleep deprivation challenge, our training will include sleep deprivation and night training.

Our Pitch
Team South Dakota will be the first local team to finish Primal Quest. While there may be local individuals with better fitness, no other team is more physically fit or mentally tough. Our team is passionate about this endeavor, and wants nothing more than to succeed. More than any other team, we have given more back to our local communities and state, whether this be inspiring a juvenile amputee to run, teaching a young girl to ride a bike, creating a white water park in Rapid City, or building a trail for locals to ride and run, we care about our physical well being and those of our local communities and state. Please look over our individual biographies. We look forward to scheduling a personal interview.

Sincerely,
TeamSouthDakota

No News Yet

2008-12-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting to hear about our entry.
While we wait hre is Lisa's essay.Tomorrow I'll post the Team Essay.

Team South Dakota Primal Quest Candidate-2009

Lisa Gustin
4333 Meadowwood Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605) 343-0443

Personal:
41 years of age
Married 13 years to Dirk Gustin
One son: Samuel age 9

Education:
BS in Education from Black Hills State University
MS in Occupational Therapy from The University of South Dakota

Profession:
Pediatric Occupational Therapist past 13 years

Sports Biography:
Participated in a variety of sports and competitions:
Team sports in school, rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking, ultra trail running races, marathons, mountain and road bike races and trips, triathlons, and duathlons

Completed Races and Adventures:
· Tetons Backpacking, 5 days in backcountry (3 summits)
· Wind River Range Backpacking, 6 days in backcountry
· Big Horns Backpacking (multiple trips), 2-5 day trips in backcountry
· Hut-to-Hut Backcountry Ski Adventure, Colorado 4 days
· Multiple ascents of Devils Tower, multi-pitch routes
· Climbing in the Black Hills for over 20 years
· Backpacking in the Black Hills for over 20 years
· Moab, Utah is an annual trip for biking and climbing
· Whistler, British Columbia is an annual trip for biking
· Dakota 50 Mile Mountain Bike Race (3x)

Thanks for reading
Randy

Waiting and a Role Model

2008-12-15T16:50:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting to see if We are the Team. Fingers crossed.

If you want some insite to are team,read the articles in this months Mountain Bike Action and Mountain Bike about Adam Craig. Adam was the highest placed American at the Olympicsand has had the best World Cup placings since John Tomac in the 90's. Yet he would rather go on a 4 hour ride exploring a new area than taper for a race.
He admits that He would have better results if He trained all the time.But He knows that life is to short not to enjoy.

Paulette,Dan,Lisa, and Gary are the same.They take competeing seriously,but not at the expense of having a life and fun.None of use are going to be World Champions(this writer excluded) but we are going to have fun and finish.

Thanks for reading
now go have fun

Randy

Waiting and Exploring

2008-12-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

Friday was the due date for Essays.Now We are waiting to see if any other teams submitted one.Nobody We have talked to knows about anybody else.There were a couple of rumors... TeamSouthDakota have been working on the team and essay and training for 2 and a half months.

Today we went for a long hike run.We are hiking the hills and a slow run on the downhills and flats.We did 11 miles with 2300 ft. of climbing.

We went down to the St.Elmo mining area.We haven't spent a lot of time in that area so it was good just to wander around seeing where roads go to.

Hopefully in a day or two we will know about our entry. Wish us luck

Thanks for reading
Randy

Dan's Profile

2008-12-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Paulette and I have known Dan for 15+ years.He is new to Gary and Lisa, but should be a good match.Personally Dan is one of the "toughess" atheletes I know.

Mind over Matter – Spirit over Mind
Dan Jensen b.7.21 1949

I consider myself goal oriented and enjoy the pursuit of goals – using them as a form of motivation for all levels of life. I am mostly self-motivated and use any intrinsic or extrinsic tools to stay motivated. I enjoy and am passionate about the miracle that is the HUMAN POTENTIAL – where getting to the edge (of what you think) is your limit (spiritually, physically, emotionally etc.) becomes’ new territory.

Endurance events (especially) provide the arena for self-discovery and almost always reveal your strengths and weaknesses.

I do like the aspects of endurance events that puts’ everybody in the same boat. When you are out there with everyone – there is an appreciation, admiration, and respect and a silent theme of knowing that you don’t have to explain why you are doing this crazy thing.

I look forward to the training aspects of getting ready for an event. The events are just an excuse to get out there and enjoy the fulfillment of being in this miracle - we call – the human body.

One step at a time

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Alumni: World TEAM Sports – 1998 through 2002

South Dakota - Disabled Veteran of the Year Award – 1998

Runner up – National Arete’ Awards – November 1998 (Televised Dec. 21st. 1998)
1998

Hero of the Month Award – Children’s Home Society, 1999; Presenter – Being an amputee- “challenge rather than obstacle”.

Presenter/Slide show: A return to Vietnam - 30 years later – Road to Reconciliation

Author: Chicken Soup for the Travelers Soul – “Road To Reconciliation”, page 119

Speaker on Courage and ‘ Can Do’ Attitude: Grade school and special groups

Work with Orthotic and Prosthetics Inc. Sioux Falls, SD – Talking with new amputees

Work with Orthotic and Prosthetics Inc. Sioux Falls, SD – Informational clinic for Physical Therapists

Run/Guide for Blind Athlete – Erik Weihenmayer – Charlotte Marathon, Boulder Backroads Marathon – 1999

Run with Cuban amputees in Havana, Cuba –World TEAM Sports (2002)

Health (mind/body/spirit) is Wealth

DOCUMENTARIES: Vietnam: Long Time Coming - Kartemquin Films (Creators of the award winning documentary: Hoop Dreams)

Running On The Sun – Badwater Ultra Marathon, 1999 - Mel Stuart

13Th Marathon Des Sables – March 27th – April 6th 1998

Enjoy the moment

ATHLETIC RESUME’

1992-1999 (15+ ½ Ironman Triathlons) numerous 5K’s, 10K’s,
1994-2004 (20+ marathons) PR – 3:35 age 48
1998-2004 (Numerous 50K and 40 mile Trail and road races)

1993 – World’s Toughest Triathlon (Lake Tahoe) 2mi. swim; 100mi bike; 18.6mi run
1994 – Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (105mi. swim; 18mi. bike; 14mi. run)
1994 – Week long Mtn. Bike, Hut to Hut trek, Leadville, Colorado 10,000 to 13,000 ft.
1994 – Leadville 100 mile Mountain Bike Race (10,000 feet to 13,000 feet)
1996 – Friedrich Nietzsche Duathlon (155mi. bike; 31mi. run)
1997 and 1999 – Hawaiian Ironman 12 hours 20 minutes
1998 – 1600 miles in 16 days - mountain bike from Hanoi, Vietnam to Ho Chi Ming city
1998 – Marathon Des Sables (Morocco) Self-sufficient 150 mile run - 38 hours
1999 – Badwater (Death Valley Run) 135 mile ultra run – completed 95 miles (29 hours)
1999 – El Tour de Tucson (111 mile bike race) 5 hours 20 minutes
2005- Badwater 135 mile (Death Valley Ultra Run) – 57+ hours
2005- First 40 miles of Leadville 100 Ultra run (9+ hrs)
2006 – 50 miler (10:13) Minneapolis
2006 – Leanhorse Ultra (50 miles – 10:45)
2007 – Virginia Triple Ironman (Double ++), Triple Swim, Triple Bike, Double Run
2008 – Badwater 135 mile Ultra (42:15:46) – 41st of 82
2008 – Virginia Triple Ironman Triathlon – 56:45:

Thanks for Reading
Randy

Waiting

2008-12-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

Know the wait begins.We finished the team essay and the competitiors profiles.Lisa and Paulette took them over to Ricks Friday night.
The deadline is next Friday for any other teams.
We heard so Doctors are trying to get a team together,but they are going to have a hard time finding a woman for the their team.As far as we can tell Paulette and Lisa are the only 2 women in the state with thr desire,skills,mental toughness and time to do Primal Quest.

I will be adding the Profiles and Essay this week.
First up is the support team.

TeamSouthDakota
Training and Support
“We Have the Spatula”

The Primal Quest is more than the 4 competitors. They need a Team behind them. We have been working for several months to put together a group that will make sure that Dan, Paulette, Gary, and Lisa will be the first “Home Team” to finish.

Many of these athletes have the skills to do Primal Quest, but instead have decided to help the Team. As some of them put it “Thank God I don’t have to do it.”

1. Randy Ericksen, Training Coordinator
2. Gary Miller, Navigation IT
3. Sean Fahey, Navigation/Orienteering
4. Tim Rangitch, Bike support
5. Doyle Nehl, Kayaking, Alternate
6. Kelly Lane, Kayaking, navigation/Orienteering
7. Tim and Marcie Braumbugh, Climbing
8. Dan Austin, Caving
9. Mark Warren, Trail Running
10. Leslie Warren, EMT
11. Patrick Gilcrease, Beer Miester
12. Lisa Christenson, PT
13. Harlan Kruger, Sioux Falls, Kayaking/Biking
14. Bridget Maekeck, Maps
15. Barb Schrader, Kayaking
16. Black Hills Runners Club
17. Black Hills Mountain Bike Association
18. Black Hills Paddlers
19. Black Hills Orienteering Club

And
Robin Jensen
Mary Haven
Dirk and Sam Gustin

Thanks for Reading
Randy

The First Team Weekend

2008-11-30T15:53:00.000-08:00

We had our first Team training this weekend.Dan was able to come out and play.
Friday night we went to Shanks Quarry and worked on nav.Paulette knows what she is doing but Dan Gary and Lisa are new to map and compass.We used the checkpoints that I had set for the last Orienteering Meet we had.For it being night and those guys new to it,they did great.They shot bearings and mostly went right to the controls.They figured out some of the tricks on their own,and Paulette guided them in the right direction.We were out a couple of hours.

Saturday we did a long hike.We went 20 miles around Pactola Lake.In addition to the Competitors,Floppy,WP,Cheri,Bov,and Mary went.It was a little longer then I said,but then everybody knows it will be.It was an South Dakota day. Sun,snow,wind,sun,snow,sun,but not to cold.We were all a little tired but it was a good time.

We got a short run at Railroad Buttes this morning before Dan left.Only 4 miles because it was a little bit windy.Like blow WP off of the top of the ridge windy.60/70 mph gusts.But it aws a hoot and we got a taste of the Badlands.

It was really good that Dan came out.Lisa and Gary and him got to meet and hang out.Everybody got along and was on the same wavelength.

It really feels like a Team now.

The weekend video will be up on the website later this week

Randy

Conference Call

2008-11-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

We got togerther last night to finish up our entry essay.The content is done. Now it just needs a little cleaning up. It is pretty good. Even i'm impressed with the Team.As we were finishing up Dan called from Sioux Falls.We did the speaker phone thing and got even more done.

Today We got a call from Dan and He is going to be able to come out this weekend to meet Gary and Lisa and do so training.

Randy

Team Essay

2008-11-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the SouthDakotaPrimalQuestTeam Blog.
I am Randy Ericksen. I am the "Coach", lead singer, and driver of the Winnabago.
Our 4 competitors are Paulette Kirby, Gary Haven, Lisa Gustin and Dan Jensen. We are going to be the first "home team "to finish the Primal Quest.
Right now the team is maintaining winter fitness and working on our essay. We plan to be picked as the Offical South Dakota Team.
This Blog along with our Web site and Youtube videos will be our link to let people know how our training goes.
Our Team is not just the 4 competitors. We have about 20 other people helping us out in all areas of preparation. We will be using this blog to let you know who they are. Without their help this won't happen.
See you on the trails,
Randy