Ahhh...the summer is here. My shoulders are red as a lobster and my forehead hurts when I put on my bike helmet. With all of my poolside sunburn, we still managed to get quite a bit of rain over the last few days. But the rain, lighting, and winds weren't enough to cancel the 2010 Omaha Urban Adventure Race. It was even pouring rain while driving to the race and while biking to our first checkpoint, but Jim Craig kept the race going as planned.
Team Wild Things
Team KWK
On Friday, there was a mandatory equipment check at Backwoods. Spirits were high and people were eager to race the next day. Beer, burgers and brats helped to fill the bellies in front of Brazenhead. A Fat Tire cruiser (made by Felt) was raffled off. We won't discuss who actually won the bike (somebody in our group forgot to tear off the stub so that entry was DQed, but we later found out their name was chosen!). The temperature and humidity were high, so why wouldn't I go to a crazy pool party before an adventure race that started at 8am the next day? Man, I could have at least passed on the 1am Taco Bell run!
The adventure race started at Turner Park at 8am on Saturday. The race branched out to many areas of downtown and midtown Omaha. Team Wild Things and Team KWK both competed in the coed short course, bringing us to check points by both foot and bike. Some of the places we first had to stop included GreenStreet Cycles, The Omaha World Herald, Upstream Brewery (thanks for letting me use the restroom, much appreciated), and then finally a team challenge in front of the downtown library. For the team challenge, we had to fill a water bottle half full with water from the Heartland Park fountains, then carry the bottle on top of our heads without touching the bottle around a circular path. If the bottle dropped, you have to empty the water, go refill it, and start over again. Pretty funny watching Patty walk with the bottle somewhat off to the side of her head. Afraid my teammate was going to end up with a neck cramp!
Team challenge where we walked with half full water bottles on our heads
Once that was completed, we had to run back to the Omaha World Herald building to get our bikes, then head out to Re-cycle Bike shop on 13th street. Oh yeah, many times our clues didn't give us actual street addresses. We had to figure it out on our own. Once getting the last punch there, back to Midtown to get our second set of directions...
Last set on the short course included stops at Field Club Elementary, Hanscom pond and pool. At the pool, our last team challenge was to have one teammate get into the shallow pool and find $1.90 in change while blindfolded. Pretty funny sight to see people bumping into each other and teammates yelling directions. Patty took one for the team and got into the pool. Krista gave most of the directions. I will admit I was kind of selfish and just laughed while taking pictures. Come on, gotta think about the blog readers who need pics of the action!
That pretty much finished off the majority of the race. Once back to midtown crossing, we had to run up to Mutual of Omaha and back with some verbal clues. Food, drinks, and warm greetings awaited us as we crossed the finish line. In my mind, the short course was a great way to get to know the metro Omaha area. Since I hate running and love to bike, I might be biased in saying that it was the perfect ratio of biking / being on foot. Probably three quarters of the distance was on bike! The race length could have been just a little bit longer. It was nothing like last year's Bootlegger night race held in Kearney, where the short course was way too long. My entire legs were cramping before we were even close to finishing.
Patty and Krista counting the $1.90 needed to complete the challenge
All in all, it was another great experience in the few races that I have done. I met some great people at the race and we worked as a team to keep each other going. Even teams cheered on other teams to keep morale high. It such a great thing to hear some random racer tell you great job or keep up the good work!
Congrats to Team KWK (Cory, Todd, and Caryn) on their second place finish, and to Team Wild Things(Patty, Krista, and myself) on our 21st out of 48th place finish! Both in the 3 person coed short course division. Also congrats to Natalie and her team PT Awesome for the third place finish in the female short course division. And to the Dojo Divas, great job on finishing 5th in the long course! I'm glad you girls didn't give up when you checked in, and you even found all of the checkpoints! Good job everyone! And thanks to Jim Craig, Activate Omaha, volunteers, and anyone else who made the race possible. Race results can be found
here and the
Team Spokehole blog will soon be updated. Other photos can be found
here by Bobbi and Steve Olson photography (be sure to check out
picture 181, who's that sexy rider in knee high socks? I've always wanted to give a thumbs up during a race. Just trying to be like you Dave!).
The sisters, all competing against each other
Rolling old school with the 98 Gary Fisher and the fenders. GIANT puddles of water ain't got nothing on this boy.
Krista heading up to Hanscom pool for the team challenge
Check out the crazy sock action! Yes, I had to wear them too...man the sacrifices I make for the team!
Ahh, no hard feelings between husband and wife after a competition. Patty pregnant with goodies in her shirt.
Mmm...steak burrito. Get in my belly!
My 1:30am iron-on job. Work it Rowenta, after the Taco Bell of course!
That pretty much finished off the majority of the race. Once back to midtown crossing, we had to run up to Mutual of Omaha and back with some verbal clues. Food, drinks, and warm greetings awaited us as we crossed the finish line. In my mind, the short course was a great way to get to know the metro Omaha area. Since I hate running and love to bike, I might be biased in saying that it was the perfect ratio of biking / being on foot. Probably three quarters of the distance was on bike! The race length could have been just a little bit longer. It was nothing like last year's Bootlegger night race held in Kearney, where the short course was way too long. My entire legs were cramping before we were even close to finishing.
Congrats to Team KWK (Cory, Todd, and Caryn) on their second place finish, and to Team Wild Things(Patty, Krista, and myself) on our 21st out of 48th place finish! Both in the 3 person coed short course division. Also congrats to Natalie and her team PT Awesome for the third place finish in the female short course division. And to the Dojo Divas, great job on finishing 5th in the long course! I'm glad you girls didn't give up when you checked in, and you even found all of the checkpoints! Good job everyone! And thanks to Jim Craig, Activate Omaha, volunteers, and anyone else who made the race possible. Race results can be found here and the Team Spokehole blog will soon be updated. Other photos can be found here by Bobbi and Steve Olson photography (be sure to check out picture 181, who's that sexy rider in knee high socks? I've always wanted to give a thumbs up during a race. Just trying to be like you Dave!).
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