The Urban Tadpole is going to be SO FUN on Saturday!
Tonight I went to the clinic at Laacke and Joys to get more information about the race and to try some things I'd never done before that I'll have to do in the race. I got to rock climb and kayak!
Kayaking on the river was great - I wish I could have gone longer. I was a little nervous to get in that little boat all by myself, but it was easier than I expected. I could have been better at steering, but hey, it was my first try.
Climbing the wall was a bit more difficult and scary, but pretty exhilirating, too. Dave had been climbing before so he was much better than I! When you've never done it before, it's hard to trust those ropes that are holding onto you, but once I got to the top, I put my trust in them and fell backward and sailed right on down. I climbed twice, but didn't quite make it to the top the second time. It's hard! My forearms were bulging and aching afterward - they're going to be sore tomorrow!
This is the fourth year of the Urban Frog and Urban Tadpole, and this year, with 100 teams competing, it's become the largest adventure race in the country. There are about 40 Frog teams (that race can last up to 8 hours!) and about 60 Tadpole teams. The top three teams in each race get prizes and trophies. We really want to win! Our realistic goal, though, is to finish in the top 10. I don't know if that's feasible, but you should always aim high, right?
I guess the course is a complete mystery. I've never watched The Amazing Race, but I guess it's very similar. We start at Laacke and Joys on Water Street and go to check points either on foot, on bike, or by kayak and once we hit a point, we find out where in the city to go next. There's a celebration afterwards, but it doesn't really kick off until around 1 or 2 pm, when the Frog contestants are finishing up, so I won't get to enjoy much of it since I have to get home and shower and be to work by 4:00. Oh well.
I think the race will be pretty fun to watch! For more info. on spectating, go here.
Wish me luck!
That sounds like so much fun! I wish I knew about this sooner so I could sign up. Maybe I will get downtown this weekend to watch the races. Then I can judge if I actually have the stamina to do it next year. Good luck on Saturday!
Posted by: Susan | June 17, 2005 at 01:13 PM
Hey, I like Dave's "Superhero" costume for the Tadpole race! Looks kinda familiar; perhaps I should check my "Superhero" closet!
Posted by: Paul L. | June 20, 2005 at 01:09 PM