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Race has been in progress for 723 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes!
Untamed Virginia Team: brendacohenjewelry.com (#3) -- Click to download raw GPS data
Current Overall Position: 18
Current Course: Sport 2 (Sport Course 2)     |     Race Division: 3/4 C


Val Nordquist (Captain)

PA
Russ Nordquist

PA
Amy Schulz

MN

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Team Bio:

Cuz's Val and Russ have been racing together as brendacohenjewelry.com or Team Nerdquist since 2005 (see outdated team site at http://brendacohenjewelry.com/nerdquist).  Their recent feat was finishing their longest race yet -- the 60-hour Untamed New England (whew).  They've also done numerous 24+ hour AR's, and orienteering events, including several Rogaine events and completed several 50 mile speed hikes on the AT.  Val also has done 50K trail runs and had a total blast tackling the Swiss Alps at the Untamed Switzerland in April.  Val and Russ continue to find ways to incorporate their toddlers into training and self-employment into race scheduling. Russ and his family recently moved from Philly to Ithaca, NY which has added additional challenge to coordinate life now. 

Val and Russ have found the most important aspect to race preparation involves drinking good beer (which occasionally includes one off their own homebrews) and convincing their other halves to letting them sleep through crying kids the several nights before. Real cutting edge approach, eh?

Amy's first "real" adventure race was Untamed Virginia 2007.  She joined Val last year when Russ had other race weekend obligations.  Coming from Minnesota, where the snow had just barely melted, there was no time for her to acclimate to the heat and humidity of Virginia in June.  With a  bad sunburn and on the verge of heat stroke, the race ended for Amy and brendacohenjewelry.com at about 18 hours.  Amy has since officially finished two short adventure races back in Minnesota.  She continues to run marathons, play ultimate and kayak.  She's excited to race with Val and Russ this year and plans on making it to the finish with brendacohenjewelry.com! 

Looking for custom jewelry?  Renown adventure racers and Primal Quest finishers Bruce Wong and Jon Neely (of GOALS) each recently took the marital plunge (separately, not to each other, lest we be accused of spreading rumors) and were thrilled to work with Brenda in designing their engagement rings and wedding bands.

Check it out: www.brendacohenjewelry.com



Team provided images
Last Checkpoint: CP #22 Finish Line on Sunday, September 14, 2008 3:50 PM
Checkpoints Visited
CPDate/TimeRemarksPenalty
# 3 9/13/2008 11:36 AM
# 4 9/13/2008 3:28 PM 1 hour time bonus
# 6 9/13/2008 4:46 PM
# 11 9/13/2008 8:29 PM
# 12 9/13/2008 9:12 PM
# 20 9/14/2008 12:21 PM
# 15 9/14/2008 2:58 AM short course
# 16 9/14/2008 3:36 AM
# 22 9/14/2008 3:50 PM
# 17 9/14/2008 6:47 AM
# 18 9/14/2008 9:25 AM 2 CPs

Field Notes pertaining to this team:
Please use the main Race Course map and select your team from the list in the upper right corner of the map.











Click to send trail mail
Team #3 called, and are on their way home, after a brief sleep after the race. They wanted Grant to know that they are ok, and went home.
    -brenda (9/14/2008 7:00:51 PM)

Yay! We can't wait to give you sweaty beasts big hugs! Congrats on finishing!
    -Jess & Ro (9/14/2008 2:27:09 PM)

yes!!! We are proud of you 3! finished!
    -mum and dad at lake henry (9/14/2008 1:58:58 PM)

We're smashing grapes to celebrate your victory!!! Great job!!!
    -Whitehall Mom (9/14/2008 12:34:44 PM)

If i've got the leder board correct you are on your last bike leg!! Keep it up, almost done. And you're in the top 20.... but whose counting!! Hang in there
    -Nat (9/14/2008 12:02:41 PM)

Amazing and almost done. Congratulations!!
    -Viv (9/14/2008 10:28:20 AM)

doing great guys, keep it up!!! you can do it! almost done!!! Eye of the tiger!!!
    -love, bren and bub (9/14/2008 10:14:12 AM)

You guys amaze me. Keep on trekking - it won't be too long until you can eat and sleep!!!
    -Whitehall Mom (9/14/2008 8:15:48 AM)

Fantastic, keep up the momentum. you guys rock!
    -francie, ray and the pack (9/14/2008 7:32:14 AM)

Good morning! Looks like you've made good progress - you're on the same CP as the leaders! Maybe the cooler night really help?
    -Mom & Dad AV (9/14/2008 5:53:32 AM)

Good morning- glad you made it out of the river. Keep your dogs up... even if they're barking! Ro and Zach will eat some calories for you this morning. Keep running- don't give up! The boys are watching....
    -Philly crew (9/14/2008 5:20:18 AM)

Good morning! Looks like you've made good progress - you're on the same CP as the leaders! Maybe the cooler night really help?
    -Mom & Dad AV (9/14/2008 4:10:48 AM)

YEAH! Hope the heat has broken over the night - I'll try to keep the sun over here for you for awhile... eat lots- drink more (answer: member/ember)
    -kim (9/14/2008 12:38:44 AM)

shout out to team! are you even getting these messages? you can do it!
    -dorothy (9/14/2008 12:19:37 AM)

keep peddleing,paddling, climbing, trekking!!!! enjoy the moon!
    -love mum and dad at lake henry (9/13/2008 9:55:20 PM)

I'm hoping by the time you all get this you'll have had a bit of shut-eye...and the blisters and swamp fet aren't too bad. Here's to the 8,000 calories you must have consumed by now....just picture the cold beer at the finish-line!! Val- i'
    -natalie (9/13/2008 9:18:02 PM)

Good luck tonight. We're thinking about you all. Be safe.
    -Mom (9/13/2008 9:01:48 PM)

Have a good night. Stay safe.
    -Whitehall Mom (9/13/2008 7:50:21 PM)

While I go home to bed you guys keep moving well and have a good and blessed time doing it.
    -Aunt Jeannette (9/13/2008 7:18:14 PM)

greetings from ann arbor, remember your pee should be clear and copious, drink lots and have fun
    -krawcke family (9/13/2008 6:16:36 PM)

Awesome job, keep it up.I hear you are hoping for rain. I didn't know you could go outside in the rain. Don't hallucinate, unless you are hearing my voice say "Are we there yet?"
    -The Pink Lady (9/13/2008 5:33:40 PM)

2 boys all snuggled in their beds sending you sweet dreams and visions of paddling from their heads.... love you guys- keep going!
    -Brenda, Zach, Jess, and Ro (9/13/2008 4:50:17 PM)

Hello Val, Amy, and Russ- Hope you are all hanging in there!!!Only about 6 hours left. Now is your post-sun down hours...hope you make some headway and most importantly have fun and be nice to eachother.
    -Natalie (9/13/2008 4:11:02 PM)

The team here in SL all say "keep going!" Here is a riddle to ponder along the way... Find an english word that when you remove the first letter refers to burning wood. Stay safe! Drink water.
    -kim (9/13/2008 2:02:07 PM)

How'd you make it all the way to minnapolis already?!? Your dot is directly over Minnesota.
    -Whitehall Mom (9/13/2008 1:52:47 PM)

Keep on keeping on! Keep hydrated and well fed.
    -Whitehall Mom (9/13/2008 1:34:16 PM)

Hey kids, hope all is well on the trail? Have you guys made any progess since this AM...or did yesterday kick your butts? Mom has been staring at your dot all morning and is concerned that it hasn't moved...make that dot move or else....ha
    -Marne (9/13/2008 1:00:35 PM)

Your dot on the map still hasn't moved since you got off the buss - did you forget your GPS on the Bus?
    -Mom & Dad Schulz (9/13/2008 12:22:47 PM)

hey val and team! sending you good vibes. i'll check in again later.
    -dorothy (9/13/2008 11:05:59 AM)

I tired to have a late-night pre-race send off mail but of course had technical difficulties with the link in the email..thanks to the support of your loyal and loving sponsor brenda cohen, i was able to get the right address. I hope the st
    -Natalie (9/13/2008 10:51:16 AM)

hey guys. hope the race is going well. I can't really tell from this site how you're doing. Don't be over heating Ms.Amy, lotsa love!
    -Carrie (9/13/2008 10:40:39 AM)

Enjoy the trek and hang in there. Good luck guys.
    -Mom & Dad AFN (9/13/2008 10:26:27 AM)

Go daddy, aunt val, and amy! Ro says eat lots, stay cool and "don't push each other. I no like it."
    -Ro & Jess (9/13/2008 9:56:49 AM)

Go Val, Russ, and Amy! HOORAY!
    -Sammy (9/13/2008 9:28:04 AM)

Hey Russ/Val Go Nerdquists!! Show them what the Yanks can do. Ro was eating his breakfast this morning,and saying "Daddy, racing, Daddy, racing!" Keep safe?
    -Mom and Dad Bode (9/13/2008 8:04:01 AM)

Cool air from western lake erie is on it's way. Have fun!
    -franice, skye and lexus (9/13/2008 7:08:51 AM)

Go mommy!! Go unky Russ, Go aunt Amy!!! don't just stand here reading....get running!!!! upf, upf...
    -lil' monsta (9/13/2008 6:36:54 AM)

Me and bub are wishing you guys the best race ever!!! Remember to dunk your heads under water when you get hot!
    -love, bren and bub (9/13/2008 6:34:01 AM)

Go team!! Have a great race!
    -kirsi (9/13/2008 6:24:02 AM)

ola from porto, portugal!! maybe we could switch weather patterns... it´´s been in the 50´´s at night and 70´´s by day. double ugh!! wish you fortitude and smiles and perserverance... and have fun! xoxo
    -peachy (9/13/2008 2:31:32 AM)

I think that I left a sappy email to another team. I forgot to select your team at the top. I'm about to go to bed for the night. I hope that I don't have any bad nightmares about your adventures tomorrow. By the time we get up you will be
    -Mom and Dad (9/12/2008 8:36:26 PM)

Hey!! I hope this is you, good luck, have fun and keep on truckin'!!!
    -The Smiths (9/12/2008 8:26:41 PM)

An update from bcj.com -- the pre-race riverboarding was fun. We went to the wrong island. Stellar start. We that have sorted our 25000 calories of food it off to bed.
    -team bcj.com (9/12/2008 7:57:10 PM)

russ: dad and mum think of you as they pitch rocks this weekend in the rain!!! We can visualize the terrain.
    -mum and dad at Lake Henry (9/12/2008 7:08:28 PM)

Good luck and have fun. We're rootin' for you.
    -Mom & Dad AFN (9/12/2008 6:11:11 PM)

Good luck and have fun. We're rootin' for you.
    -Mom & Dad AFN (9/12/2008 3:59:07 PM)

Yeah, rah, sis, boom, bah, Go team Nerdquist, rah, rah, rah Neither hail nor rain nor neighbor Ike nor blazing sun shall stop your team from this adventure run (and swim and paddle and bike) etc.
    -Aunt J. (NP) (9/12/2008 9:08:25 AM)

Shine my diamonds, shine, and glimmer like the gems you are!!!!
    -Big sister sponsor (9/12/2008 5:51:13 AM)

I'll be sending you positive energy from my sofa! Run Val Run! LOL
    -Mcepp (9/11/2008 7:23:53 PM)

Ginger Beer! Drink lots of homemade ginger beer! Keeps you hydrated, energized and your mouth fresh! Go team! Good luck!
    -The Homebrewer's Avdenture Racing Society (9/11/2008 11:50:00 AM)

Good luck! I'll be sending good thoughts out your way.
    -Shannon (9/11/2008 8:21:48 AM)

We are rooting for you out here in MN! Well some of us (Amy's mom) are sighing heavily. :)
    -Meg (9/11/2008 5:58:22 AM)

Go team! Excited to see you all as a 3 person co-ed this time. Do us proud here in Philly!
    -Brenda Cohen, team sponsor (9/9/2008 10:58:09 AM)

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