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| Name: |
Kristen Karnowski |
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| Age: |
24 |
| Occupation: |
Project Manager--Epic Systems Corporation |
| Favorite Race: |
Rock the Race 2006 |
| Favorite Gear: |
Machete--that thistle can be nasty! |
| Favorite Race Food: |
Peanut Butter & Jelly |
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| How I came to be on Team Fat Otter:
[Scene: Kristen finding a flyer for the 2006 SKMC Fall and deciding to email race director, Andy McCarthy.]
Email to Andy: 'Hello Andy,
I am new to the area and also to adventure racing, but I am very interested in getting my feet wet so to say. Currently, I mountain bike, road bike, run, play sand volleyball, basketball and swim. I am trying to get into rowing and kayaking, but it may be a little much since I just moved here. I have been interested in adventure racing for a while now, but just don't know anyone involoved in it who could sort of 'mentor' me. I was wondering if you had any information for beginners to the sport or advice that would help me train/start racing. Also, if you knew of anyone looking for a partner to race with in October, please let me know. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. 608-354-1703.
Thanks!'
[Andy forwarded my email to several racers and a couple of racing lists, only ONE had what I was looking for...]
Email from Andrew Wells: 'Hi Kristen,
Andy McCarthy forwarded your email about adventure racing to me. As it turns out, we are looking for a female teammate. I race for Team Fat Otter www.teamfatotter.com We live and train in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Are you in Madison? If so, we are up there all the time for mountain & road biking and would love to get together for a ride.
We race with people of all different skill levels and would love to help you get started. It sounds like you have a good background already.
Also, we have a few races on the radar this fall. Call or write any time (630)303-4120. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best Wishes,'
[From there, emails were exchanged and a date was finally set to meet at John Muir. I brought a friend, no offense Andrew, but you could have been a serial killer...I soon found out that you're just dandy.]
[Scene: LeGrange General Store, me and Rog, meeting Andrew for the first time, the ride began with me irresponsibly putting cash and my SINGLE car key in with my spare tube on my seat post.]
[The ride was great, minus me losing my tube, money and key somewhere on the trail. I even took a sweet wipe out that I still have scars from, SWEET! We looped around the trail again, found my tube, but the key and money couldn't be found...Long story short, somewhere returned the key to the DNR station and kept the money as a finder's fee...that's cool with me.]
I met Rod and Alan another weekend to bike and paddle, raced in Rock the Race where we kicked butt!!! Raced in the SKMC fall...and that's how it all started....
It began the saga that I am now entangled and addicted to, always wanting to do more, purchase/win more gear, and take on new and exciting sports! If you're looking for an awesome experience that will be in you life forever, and friends that you'll have for a lifetime get involoved...all it takes is a simple email. |
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