Meet an Adventurer - Karen Riley

Karen you've  been to so many of our retreats it might be easier to list the ones you haven't  been to.... so here's a memory test for you - can you list the events you have attended?
So I started with the first ever Destination Adventure combined weekend which introduced me to some truly amazing people.  From Paddling with Clint Robinson, Mountain bike (and sand riding) skills with Andy and Running with Sid Willis  and Steve Moneghetti (including one far too memorable face-plant on the Mandalay Track directly in front of the man himself), more Trail running with Sid, the women's Mountain biking with Ret Howarth, a full on weekend with Clint and I may have snuck in for a part of the next Mountain bike weekend and a run with Melinda Gainsford Taylor plus things like the Glute and Mobility workshop, the Island Deck Party and random video shoots in some spectacular places.

Karen showing some newly acquired descending skills

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What's the most memorable message from the retreats?
​While each one is different, with different skills and different people no matter what you're doing, at whatever level you're at, enjoy it - we do this for fun as well as for fitness - be prepared to push your limits a little and give anything a go you might just surprise yourself with what you can do.
  Aside from the skills you gain, the people you meet that take part in these events really do make them something special.

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 People looking at you now may not release that you've haven't always been this active - can you tell us where you were not that long ago?
A few years ago I weighed in at 120kg and did nothing but work. I wouldn't have been able to run more than half a km, hadn't been on a bike in almost 16 years and had paddled a canoe in a river maybe twice on school camps.  Currently 40 to 50 kg lighter (depending on the training I'm doing) I can take on a 70 km multisport race and know I can cross the finish line with a smile, I have so many new skills I'd have trouble listing them all and a whole bunch of wonderful people I never would have met if I hadn't got involved in all these crazy adventures.

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Karen running with Steve Moneghetti

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 Do you have a favourite discipline?
Tough, but I'd have to say Paddling at the moment with mountain biking a close second (never was a great runner ), Since Clint's last retreat I've taken his advice on board and put in a lot more time in the ski and the results are pretty cool, after seeing a big difference in the paddle leg in the Townsville Adventurethon I just took on my first 20km downwind race and have just raced the Maggie Island Loop ( Karen smashed her time from last year!)

​My next challenge is back to multisport with On-A-Mission, up at Mission Beach in September.
  

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At the Paddle Clinic with Clint Robinson

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 Can you give us one piece of advice about the Destination Adventure retreats? 
Thinking about attending?  Book now, there's nothing worse than going to sign up and finding out it's full up.

​You really don't want to have to hear how great it was from someone else.

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Running with Melinda Gainsford Taylor