Click on the link below for more about the members of The Druid Pack, plus photos of the team in training.

http://druidpack.blogspot.com/

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Well, okay, so it’s about me but just the same, I will try not make it too much about me, you know?  My name is Jim Hebert and I have been invited to join up as the latest member of the Druid Pack.  I’ve been adventure racing off and on for about 5 years, but the 2007 season was the first one in which I raced a full calendar of races.  Although I have done a pair of expedition races and even had the honor or racing in the US National Championships, this will be my first go at Primal Quest.  And of course, I am looking forward to it.  Equally so, I am trying to manage a pair of emotions, those being the awe at ten days on a course designed as sadistically as Don Mann claims it is, and the need to confidently approach it as something hard but very do-able for those who have put the work in and not cut corners in their training.  I think it will be an incredible experience just as equally as I anticipate it being the hardest thing I have ever done athletically-speaking.  I think we could all be pretty happy with a long course finish and just letting the results sort themselves out from there.  Our team is strong enough and determined enough from what I can gather.  I have raced with Sara before, so I know how dogged she is.  Andy is a bit quieter and just as steady.  John is just a ball of power that we will probably have to remind regularly to rein it in a bit!  And he is the possessor of the coolest given name (Iannis) on this team.  I think amidst pain and fatigue and all that we are going to have a really great time together and learn immeasurable amounts about each other and ourselves.  How could you not during 10 (well truthfully we hope it’s less than that) days out in the wilderness together?  As I sit here at Panera writing and listening to Barry Manilow (shut up), it occurs to me that just being there is a huge deal for anyone putting a toe on the start line.  The training, the investment of time and money that could have been used elsewhere, the knowledge of how much energy and emotion it takes to be successful on whatever level you define success in this race…I think that I will be nervous for the start, but also pretty thankful to be there.  And just to clarify, I was not writing TO Barry, merely listening to his music and writing this blog entry.  I thought I told you to shut up…

I have been competing at pretty much everything my entire life and as though that life depended on it.  My first love was basketball, but when I found endurance athletics, I found my home.  Plus, I am not crazy fast, so I knew my body was really meant for something else anyway.  I’ve done triathlon and raced road bikes these last few years, always with adventure racing in the back of my mind.  I love it too.  The teamwork and physical challenge of self that is necessary.  The mental and physical demands are so high, but you cannot get away with just being a good athlete. You have to find a way to take whatever strength you have at any given point and share it with whoever might be suffering at that moment…without being frustrated for having to share, without holding back.  And when you are the one who is down, it is up to you to be honest about it and ask for help, because not doing so will cost your team.  You think and feel and fight and work your backside off, no matter where you finish.  It has always felt to me as though adventure racing was life compressed by time and magnified by circumstances.  Everything you are is called into play and you learn about what is truly inside your heart and head.  It can’t help but come out.  I have truly been humbled in some races, observing my own responses.  Now, I am not anything special when it comes to these endurance endeavors, but I do have a habit of finishing things despite whatever obstacles might be placed in front of me.  Some people might call me dogged, some just plain stubborn (stupid?) and they might be right about that.  I think it serves me well in these races.  

As far as the race and our team is concerned, we sure would appreciate your thoughts and prayers while we’re out.  It’s gonna be over 500 miles on the road less- or virtually never-travelled.  Not a lot of sleep involved either, so it’s sure to be an emotional strain too.  If you have a shout of encouragement for us, please do feel free to post one.  In some races, the organizers have been known to pass them on to us during the race, and it’s great to hear from you.  Such a shot of energy, better than any Honey Stinger bar could ever give!  Thanks for checking in with us and please take a look at who we are racing on behalf of. Our name is just championing one of many causes that the NRDC is involved in for the best interests of our environment.  The real Druid Pack is a pretty great story, one that hopefully will have many chapters yet to be written.  We are all super-excited to be doing Primal Quest with the support of our friends and families and look forward to sharing pictures and video footage and the stories that go along with it.  Thank you for checking in on us.  Take care and peace to you,

Jim

 

PS  Did you ever notice that Barry seems to make a lot of exclusive claims about his songwriting?  ”I write the songs” and all?  Hey man, you’re good, but not THAT good.  But he sure makes me laugh…

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Team Humble Pie will be heading to Moab, Utah this weekend for the Adventure Xstream Moab 12 hour race.   Our goals are set to race hard but in addition to racing we plan on heading out a few hours after completion for another 18 hours of training through the night.  We will post highlights, results and pictures after we return.

We want to say thank you to Golite for their recent pro-form support for Team Humble Pie.  Golite packs and gear have been a part of adventure racing for many years and we look forward to putting their equipment to the test this summer.

Wish us luck in Moab!

Team Humble Pie

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Hello everyone. I am very excited to be heading off to Montana for Primal Quest in three months. I expect this race to test my skills and abilities both physically and emotionally but I am with a great team who I respect, trust and know I will have a great time with.

I have been racing for about 9 years now and have enjoyed every moment, well almost every moment - blew out my ACL in the summer of 2005 while racing. This will be my 5th expedition race and by far the longest. Living in Colorado, I have the opportunity to experience all it has to offer from world class mountain biking, hiking and climbing 14,000 foot peaks, kayaking, skiing, and rock and ice climbing. Originally from California, I was raised in the suburbs in the Bay Area and though I rode horses competitively, camping and hiking were not on the families agenda. Went to college in Bozeman, MT where I learned how to ice and rock climb and soon after moving to Colorado, starting mountain biking and adventure racing.

I am currently in my masters program for Geography and Environmental Science and hope to research climate change on our environment and natural resources. But while in school, I spend my free time training and preparing for PQ. My team and I have many weekends planned for training together and making sure we are as prepared as we can be. Having raced the Montana Adventure Race last summer, I have a good idea of what we are in for and though the course is sure to be very tough, Montana will provide an amazing backdrop of views that we plan on taking a few moments to enjoy.

Wish us luck as we embark on this fantastic adventure and be sure to check from time to time as I hope to update our progress as we close in on race day.

Sara

Trekking

Mountain Biking

Sara Delano

Ice Climbing

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Say hello to Team Humble Pie.  Pictures of our recent addition, Jim Hebert, will be coming soon along with support crew.  Bios of each of us will be posted in the near future.  Thanks for reading.
Andy Nauman

Sara Delano

John Dikos

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With each day that Primal Quest approaches, Team Humble Pie is one step closer to being prepared for what we expect to be a tough and beautiful course in the backcountry of Montana.  Certifications are being completed, gear is being bought, and training is stepping up.  Lots of team training days have already been done and we look forward to tougher and longer team training weekends to prepare us for working together during the race.  Stay tuned for biographies of each team member and stories about our adventures.  Thanks for visiting our site.

Team Humble Pie

John Dikos, Andy Nauman, Sara Delano, and Jim Hebert

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