Zazzie
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posted on June 20, 2001 07:11:53 PM new
http://www.ecochallenge.com/armedforces/alaska2001
Go troops!!!
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Zazzie
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posted on June 20, 2001 10:20:40 PM new
Race starts at midnight tonight in the land of the midnight sun. All the teams are members/or ex-members of USA Armed Forces.
This race is produced by Mark Burnett--the man who does Survivor....and the winning team from this race wins a spot in the next 'ECO-CHALLENGE' which is being run in New Zealand this fall.
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Zazzie
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posted on June 20, 2001 10:43:40 PM new
well--- I guess I'm the only one here--so I guess I'm talking to myself----but if you do click on to the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge site--make sure you look at the teams and their team dedications. Most of the teams are dedicating their races to people who have lost their lives in the line of duty...and any money raised is going to an organization called TAPS
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mtnmama
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posted on June 21, 2001 06:13:47 AM new
My son's on maneuvers this week and never mentioned that race. I'll have to ask him about it.
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uaru
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posted on June 21, 2001 06:30:23 AM new
I had to look at the site to find out what TAPS was, because that didn't make sense at first glance. TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Providers for Survivors.) The reason that didn't make sense raising money for TAPS if you ask most Alaskans I knew what TAPS was they'd tell you Trans Alaskan Pipeline System.
Looks like some tough hombres in that race. I'd be curious what the course is. I did a lot of mountain biking up there, some of those trails were awesome. Resurrection Pass (Hope to Cooper's Landing) was 19 miles of climbing in low gear followed by 19 miles of praying your brakes didn't fail you.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 21, 2001 01:37:56 PM new
Zazzie: You know I'm with ya'! Wahooo! Thanks for the link! 
I've been watching the war games they are playing at the local base (Roving Sands....done once a year) and have been having a blast. We get 'buzzed' at least twice a day by the planes (took the breakables down well before the games started....learned that lesson LONG ago!)
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Zazzie
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posted on June 21, 2001 02:03:56 PM new
Hiya Fuzzy---I was hoping you would see this thread!!!
Last time I looked at the site they hadn't started updating
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 21, 2001 02:48:26 PM new
Zazzie: It's still a fun site to check out.
Not saying that my family is addicted to the Eco-challange stuff, but it is now a running joke between my dad and I when we are in training for a 5K race that when one of us starts whining, the other says, "Ok Carlos, how bad do your feet hurt?" (Remember Carlos the foot guy?) LOL
So, any bets on the winning team?
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Snowyegret
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posted on June 21, 2001 02:54:02 PM new
I like the team from Lackland (but I used to fly in there).
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 21, 2001 04:15:16 PM new
I've got a friend who is in the middle of his field training (for the AF). I sent him the link and told him, "And you thought YOU were having a rough day!"
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mtnmama
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posted on June 21, 2001 08:00:32 PM new
Zazzie,
My kid called tonight (after playing "enemy" in night vision goggles in his humvee for three days) and knew nothing about this. I looked in his military newspaper and didn't see anything either.
Thanks for the heads up!
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Zazzie
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posted on June 22, 2001 10:31:59 AM new
http://www.ecochallenge.com/armedforces/alaska2001/
"The blast of the Howitzer canon was still echoing through the Alaskan countryside when the Navy team came riding up to the first
checkpoint of the Eco-Challenge race. Not even the fast-moving river slowed them down.
With their bikes thrown over theirs shoulders, Team Naval Reserve stormed across the quickly-moving waters and signed in at Passport Control (PC) 1 in record time. According to the race officials, that leg had been timed at 2 1/2 hours for a fast team. A few minutes after the Navy team left, the other teams started riding in.
Everybody's spirits were still high; not even the bugs could dampen the adrenaline rush. "The mosquitoes are definitely taking
some blood, but that's o.k. because it's lightening our load" laughed a member of Team Eagle. And the force of the bugs didn't
slow them down as they pedaled out of sight.
With other teams, making the first checkpoint only increased their determination. "We came to fight, let's do it!" said Captain of Team Force Recon just before he jumped on his bike to start the second leg of the course.
That was early morning around 2 a.m. However, at 8 a.m. and throughout the afternoon the story was slightly different. The competitors coasted into PC 4, some being pulled along by teammates using spare bike tire innertubes. As soon as they pulled
into camp they began preparing for the next part of the course, the mountaineering section, with slow deliberate movements.
Many teams felt that the biking part of the course was harder than anticipated. And some bitterly commented on the amount of rivers and bogs they had to cross while carrying their bicycles. But most of the racers are staying positive and their strategies
are now to rest, to stay hydrated and to eat. The Free Burma Rangers team stood out in their optimism and cheeriness. One of
the team members rode by saying, "I'm just smiling and happy. It's 7 a.m. where I live, my kids are eating breakfast and we're
all just happy."
Three teams are already unranked from the race due to a team member injury. Team Eagle's Tracy Pohl injured her knee and has
decided not to do the mountaineering part of the course. Her three teammates continued on with the race even though they're
technically disqualified.
Roy Brady from Team Tooney-MKI had to get stitches in his hand but was treated by race Medical Director Dr. Gerry Doyle and
is resting at the medical facility. Rachel Boissel of Tier One-Lackland FCU fell off her bike and was flown to Wainwright hospital in Fairbanks where she was treated for a broken clavicle. But she is in good condition and in positive spirits and is supporting her teammates who said they are continuing with the rest of the race "just to do it and have fun."
The lead teams are currently summitting the mountaineering section of the course. If the weather conditions remain favorable,
they're expected to make good time back to their bikes and equipment at PC 12. From PC 12, they will once again get on their
bikes and continue on with the third leg of Armed Forces Eco-Challenge. "
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:38:33 PM new
Speaking as someone who would have pounded on her own foot with a rock just so she didn't have to continue the race, I admire the hell out of these racers.
I think *that* is the most interesting part of the Eco-challenge, how these people have to dig in and gut it out.
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snowyegret
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:44:28 PM new
Thanks for the update, Zazzie.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:47:47 PM new
I was just checking out Team Fuzzy Bunny Slippers (love the name) and found out the woman on the team is from El Paso, TX which is just down the road from me.
Guess I'm going to have to cheer for that team!
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snowyegret
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:55:47 PM new
Lotsafuzz, that's a great name. Since my team is out (but still going for the *fun* of it)
Go, Fuzzy Bunny Slippers!!!
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hepburn
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posted on June 22, 2001 04:59:48 PM new
Will this be shown on TV, or is already?
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:10:05 PM new
Snowey: I know! I'd love to see:
So, who won the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge?
Oh, Team Fuzzy Bunny Slippers.
'Nother thing, the Bio for the woman from El Paso says she was a Hawain Tropics runner up!
You know, I've got a very different idea of 'fun' then these folks do. Hell, I still *refuse* to call my 5k races 'fun races'. There ain't no fun involved.
Hepburn: The race is going on right now, and I haven't seen anything about it being televised (which is a shame, because I'd love to see it).
[ edited by lotsafuzz on Jun 22, 2001 05:12 PM ]
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Snowyegret
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:40:02 PM new
Lotsafuzz, it might be too real for reality tv.
And 5 K is NOT *fun*.
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Zazzie
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:41:30 PM new
It will be aired in October 2001 on USA Network 
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Zazzie
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posted on June 22, 2001 05:52:07 PM new
I'm gonna root for Team Fuzzy Bunny Slippers too.....but they've slipped to 6th place.
Go FUZZIES!!!
There is a new update at the site
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:14:28 PM new
Zazzie: Do you get USA? If not let me know, I still owe you big for those tapes.
Hey, I like a "Go Fuzzies" cheer! 
Snowey: I've been trying to tell the folks running the thing that, but they are those, "YAY EVERYTHING!" types and they won't listen.
Someone asked me why I do these stupid races if they suck so bad, and I told them it's like banging your head against the wall....it just feels so good when you STOP!
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hepburn
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:20:24 PM new
Thanks for the info. I will be anxious to watch it.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 06:20:32 PM new
Hmmm....am I reading that chart right? Looks like 'our team' is about 2 hours behind the lead team.
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Zazzie
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:01:00 PM new
Hey Fuzz---that lady who was an Hawaiian Tropics runner up is also a Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeon and Army Aviator (MAJ)
But I got a giggle on the bio of one of the other ones on the team, Kevin Miner. The last two of his qualifications are
Professional Grizzly bear wrestler and
Saran Wrap Inspector.
FUZZIES, FUZZIES, FUZZIES!!!
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Snowyegret
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:24:58 PM new
FUZZIES ROCK!!!!
and a snicker for yay everything.
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Snowyegret
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posted on June 22, 2001 07:27:11 PM new
Zazzie, the blurb for the fuzzies says Miner was in the 2000 Borneo EcoChallenge!
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 08:15:38 PM new
Zazzie: Yeah, I saw that! Brains and Beauty....I think I've got to hate her now.
I have great respect for the saran wrap inspector. Lets just say I have *issues* with that devil spawed stuff!!
Snowey, did they say which team? Gotta say, I just don't 'get' the folks that do that stuff more than once. I can understand the first time. Going out there thinking, "Hey, didn't look all that hard on TV". But once you KNOW how hard it is, what would possess someone to sign up AGAIN?!?
So, when do they update that page? Yes, I'm obsessed, but I'm ok with that.
GO FUZZIES!!
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 22, 2001 08:24:34 PM new
DUH Ok, color me stupid. I just got the joke. She wasn't a Tropic winner. Just like Holmes isn't a Zamboni Driver§ Rodeo Clown, and Rynn isn't a Deep-Sea Eel Farmer. LOL
Ah well, GO FUZZIES!
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lotsafuzz
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posted on June 24, 2001 02:15:56 PM new
The site has *finally* been updated.
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