It's time for another Take it and Run Thursday! Today, we have a question from Kate at 00Kate:
What's the most unconventional race you've ever run? Have you run a race like North Carolina's "Take Pride in your Hide" naked race? Does your local running group have "prediction runs" where everyone guesses their finish time, and the winner is the person who has the closest guess? How about a Mud Run? If you could make up a wacky race, what would the twist be?When I sat down to think about my most unconventional race, I was disappointed. It seems that I only run conventional races. I had a tough time thinking of anything unconventional and then I remembered my team triathlon.
A few years ago, I participated in The Great Josh Billings Run Aground in Great Barrington, MA. It's a strange event. It's the second oldest bike, canoe/kayak, run triathlon in the world (according to their web site). That doesn't make it strange. I think the strange part was that I was used to running regular road races and then I signed up for this thing and didn't know what to expect.
I joined a team consisting of my mom's good friend, Barb, paddling the kayak and Barb's friend, Tom, riding the bike. I was to run the 10K. Since I had never participated in a team event, I didn't really know how to prepare and make sure I was ready for my leg. I also didn't know how long it was going to take the others to paddle/ride their legs. So, I stood around. When it was time to run, it took quite a while to warm up. But, I finished and I think we ended up doing OK.
It was tough to judge our overall performance because the event had three person teams (like us), two person teams and "Iron" teams. Also, there were teams who canoed and those who kayaked.
Other than the Josh, my races have mostly been road races. I've enjoyed the few trail races that I've done and certainly hope to do more of those in the future. And I wouldn't mind shaking it up with some unconventional races now and then. Not a naked race like Kate mentions in her question -- but maybe a mud run. I could probably handle a little mud!
Happy Thursday, everyone!
~ Felice
PS: Today is the last day to enter my greeting card giveaway over here. Enter before midnight EST!!!
14 comments:
Great Post. I havent done but one 5k a few days ago. It was fun and I am hooked. No weird races "YET". lol. Have a good one. ..........Keep Running!
That race sounds like fun.
I've not done any unconventional races at all, so you've been more adventurous than me...
I don't think my "weird" races were supposed to be weird- haha!
I want to try a mud run :-) That sounds like fun!
Sounds like an interesting race! One thing Ive never done and would like to try is a relay. I think it would be neat to be part of a team like that.
That sounds like a fun race. Hmm...I've never done any wacky races, either.
Great response! It's always fun to hear about peoples "different" race experiences, which is why I asked this question for my TIART!
I've never done any 'different' races either. I have a bunch of friends who do races like your Josh...but in WI. They sound like fun.
this sounds really fun!!! where is great barrington?? i will have to go check it out online. i'd love to do a team thing like this-- i never have! i'd have to be the runner i think. :)
No weird races yet but I've got some friends doing this one and said I should do it to. It's next May so I have time to consider...
I've always wanted to do a mud run or a night race but I'm afraid I'll fall or get hurt...maybe if the right one comes along...
I feel like I havent run any unconventional races either. All the ones around me are just regular, run of the mill stuff.
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that relay you did sounds like fun! a naked race- interesting! I think I'd have to be out of my mind before I would sign up for that one! HA!
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