If you don’t already know, Toyota of Greensburg has partnered with American Adventure Sports (AAS), an adventure race production company based in Greensburg, PA. Adventure racing is a relatively new sport and has recently become more popular. Adventure racing is not your typical race that you see on a track. It is distinct in that it involves traveling through the wilderness and not having a set route. You have to find your way to the finish line using what adventure racers call orienteering. Orienteering is the process of using a map and compass to find your way to the finish (No GPS allowed out there!). Most adventure races are 24 hours or longer and include different athletic disciplines.
Today’s featured member, Liz Bronson, studied athletic training at Ithaca College, and currently works as a certified athletic trainer in Pittsburgh, PA. Although she was a sprinter on Ithaca’s track team, Liz transitioned to longer distances after becoming involved with the Pittsburgh Marathon. She was introduced to adventure racing in 2011, when she competed in the Lionheart race (and mountain biked for the first time). Liz is drawn to the sport because it constantly challenges her to push her physical and mental limits.
Andrew Gauntner (AG): "I heard that all for members of Toyota of Greensburg happen to drive Toyota vehicles. Which Toyota do you currently own?"
Liz Bronson (LB): "I currently drive a Toyota RAV4."
AG: "Great to hear! Why did you choose the RAV4?"
LB: "I chose the RAV4 because it is a SUV, but it’s not too large. I looked at the RAV4 and the CRV and one reason I chose the RAV4 over the CRV is because I like the side swing door because it still allows me access to my trunk even with my bike on the back."
AG: "What are some of your favorite features of your RAV4?"
LB: "I like that the car is really a total package. It is built well, handles well, and has good snow traction. I also like that it feels more ‘off roady’ than other small SUVs. I also like that it has fog lights and good gas mileage. I just like the car in general."
AG: "I’m very glad to hear that you like your RAV4. When did you start adventure racing?"
LB: "I started adventure racing in 2011 when I ran the Lionheart race."
AG: "Why did you start adventure racing?"
LB: "I started adventure racing because a co-worker approached me and asked if I would be interested. I agreed and we ran the Lionheart. It was a grueling 24 hours and I felt horrible afterwards, but after about a week, all I remembered was the fun stuff, and I was hooked."
AG: "Interesting. I want to show people that adventure racers can come from all walks of life. Do you have a full time job and, if so, what is it?"
LB: "I am an athletic trainer at UPMC."
AG: "What is your favorite adventure race discipline?"
LB: "My favorite discipline would be foot orienteering, but my strongest discipline would be walking uphill."
AG: "What is the most exotic place you have raced?"
LB: "The most exotic place I have raced is Belize in the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge. It was absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect combination of people doing the race and the people of Belize. It was really the perfect package."
AG: "What is the most challenging race you participated in?"
LB: "Mentally the most challenging race was the East Coast Adventure Racing Series (ECARS) championship in 2012. It was an 18 hour race that started at midnight. Usually, once daylight breaks, you are almost done. Not with this race. We also got a little messed up with the navigation. The most physically challenging race was the Yough Xtreme Adventure Race this past April. It was only a 10 hour race, so the pace was extremely fast. You had to keep moving quickly. In Belize, you didn’t run a step. At the Yough, you had to."
AG: "Wow! That sounds very difficult. If someone reading this wanted to start adventure racing, do you have any advice for them?"
LB: "My advice would be start slow unless you are in very good shape. Be open to feeling like you are going to die and be comfortable being uncomfortable. You also need to be persistent."
AG: "Thanks for the advice. Obviously, you need to train. What is your training schedule like?"
LB: "We have to maintain a certain level of fitness. I usually train with my fellow team member Amber Clites. We take runs through Frick Park and do some weight training. Before a race, we usually try to get together and practice as a team."
AG: "It’s great that you can train with a friend from the team. One last question: What do you enjoy best about being on an adventure racing team?"
LB: "I like the team dynamic. It is one that you will never find in an optional activity. Everyone has their job to complete and you work together and feed off each other. It’s a great, friendly community. It is also awesome to watch people go out into the wood and work together."
It was truly a pleasure talking to Liz and learning more about her and adventure racing. I have learned a lot through my interviews with her and Nick Heebner. Adventure racing really does sound like an awesome sport to get involved in. I would like to thank Liz for being an awesome interviewee!
*Team TOG is an adventure racing team sponsored by Toyota of Greensburg. The team consists of four members. Each of them know how to compete in all the disciplines in adventure racing, however each has a specific discipline they specialize in. Fun Fact: All four members happen to own Toyota vehicles.
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