I did my first adventure race with my son Kip and his friend, Drew Okenfuss (both 12 years old). The registration was a little vague as to what it was, but did warn us that there “challenges” and could include canoeing up to 1.5 miles; biking up to 10 miles; and running up to 6 miles. I have no idea how much of each of those we really did, but we certainly did a whole lot more. It took us about 2.5 hours and we were always within about a 5 mile radius in east Carmel.

Our first challenge was carrying a whiffle ball on a spoon about 50 yards for each of us (we completely dominated this event!) ; then we took off on bikes with a map and had to find the answer to 3 different clues at 3 different points on the map. We then dropped our bikes and helmets as they were loaded onto trucks. We had to throw tennisballs over a fence and catch them in a bucket; then “shoot” a football to score a touchdown (you couldn’t move on until you accomplished these). We then ran across a field, carried a canoe down a very steep hill, and canoed across the creek where we had to get our passport “punched” (we had to do that at about 15 points to “checkin”. ) Punching a ticket while maintaining your balance in the canoe while 6 other canoes are trying to do the same thing is NOT easy! I have no idea of the distance or the time we were canoeing, but it was definitely the most difficult part of the day and we had to stop at 3 other points jump out of the canoe in the mud/water and then take off again. We then got back on the bikes and headed to a park where we were given another map with 7 questions that we had to find the answers to at various information signs around the park. Back to the bikes..then to a pond where we jumped in a plastic blowup canoe and pulled ourselves via a rope halfway across, then had to switch into another canoe and proceed across. We did not fall in, but many others did. Back on the bikes ….then we had to score basketball goals while wearing these goofy glasses that were totally disorienting. Back on the bikes and I thought we were almost done; a long uphill climb to the top where we were merely handed another map w/ 10 more challenges. I was totally pooped at this point especially since I thought we were done but we still kept going for another hour….but, the boys loved the challenges and kept me going. In this final area, we probably ran about 2miles from challenge to challenge where we did a zipline, had to hit a whiffleball w/ a golf club in the sand and hit it onto a very small mat (probably the most difficult challenge of the day), and walk a tightrope together. Once again, the key was not only completing the challenges but having to read the maps to find out where to go in between.

For someone who is starting to wear reading glasses very frequently, it was a VERY small map! Once again, I had high hopes thinking I was almost done only to find out that the final challenge was walking across a wooden board covered with Crisco then body slamming myself UP a 6 foot board where I had to pull myself up on top of the board. Somehow Kip and Drew did it in about 30 seconds while it seemed to take me FOREVER.

Finally, we were done! In many races I’ve done, you are rewarded at the finish line with oranges, bananas, and maybe a muffin or bagel. At this one, we got macaroni and cheese! It was delicious!

Kip, Drew, and I are ready to sign up for another one, but while I barely made it up the stairs at home, Kip wanted to know if I wanted to go play tennis!!

JoDee Curtis ~ Carmel Crazies