Thursday, November 19, 2009

TIaRT: Unconventional Races

It's time for TIaRT and OOKate asks:

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?


I've run three races that you could call unconventional, two of which I have run twice and all of which I intent to run every year if possible. These are definitely some of my favourite races.



The City Chase is a unique urban adventure that requires participants to exhibit teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they search for ChasePoints scattered in unknown locations throughout the city. ChasePoints are designed to test teams with a variety of physical, mental, and otherwise adventurous challenges.










Mud Run is Canada's Dirtiest 10K and the most fun you can have running off road. The Mud Run is definitely NOT your ordinary trail run. It has hills, river crossings, climbing walls, tunnel crawls, hay bales and lots of mud. Everyone finishes with a spectacular romp (but in most cases a dive) in a world-renowned mud pit.








Runners are invited to explore the stunning vineyards and sample Niagara's premium wines at the Runner's Expo, along the Picturesque Course and at the Finish Area Street Party.








***

The week is going well. I had a killer workout at H.O.T. on Thursday (my arms, chest and shoulders are screaming today) and a speedy 10K with the group last night. Tonight I was hoping to make it to Spin, but the time slot doesn't work for me so I'm running at lunch and hitting the gym to squeeze in whatever I can after work. Then it's off to see New Moon!

Happy Thursday (almost Friday)!

32 comments:

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

How fun are those races?? I am not sure if I would ever do a MUD run...I just dont like being that dirty.. Heheh.. Now the wine? I could totally go for that, although I prefer Beer..

You are sooo lucky to get to see New Moon tonight..I expect a full report, without any spoilers of course, I have not read the books :) I think hubby and I are going on Sunday.

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I did the Mud Run this year and it was a blast!!! So bummed to hear after that the course marking was all loopy- I thought I had a GREAT 10km time!!!
Next year... And this wine run too- I have to do that!

Anonymous said...

I did the Mud Run this year and it was a blast!!! So bummed to hear after that the course marking was all loopy- I thought I had a GREAT 10km time!!!
Next year... And this wine run too- I have to do that!

No Longer Using said...

i love your photos!!!!!!!!!!! you have some great nontraditional race experience :)

sounds like everything is going well!!!!!! way to work so hard all the time!!!!!! (do you ever get tired?! :))

new moon!!!! *sigh*

Lindsay said...

mud runs are tough but so fun! i remember your city chase - it def sounded fun!

Anonymous said...

hey,
omg the mud run sounds totally cool!
i didnt even know we have something in toronto like this.
i soooooo wanna do this race.


i am going to look into it for 2010 and add it to my calendar!

great post today. you have done amazing races. good job!

Jen Feeny said...

These all sound like so much fun!!! I've done one "adventure" race and it was a blast! Thanks for sharing girl! :)

Erika said...

Those look like so much fun! ONe of these days I'm gonna find some cool races like that.

MCM Mama

Teamarcia said...

Look at you with all these fun race experiences! WTG! Enjoy New Moon.

Anonymous said...

Now that wine-country run is an idea i can definitely get behind. Yummm ;) haha

the mud thing? definitely want to sign up for one of those, that looks so fun! you get pretty creative with your race selections!

Runner Leana said...

Are you going to a midnight screening? Have fun!!!

Those all sound like they are such fun events. I've wanted to do the City Chase but it just hasn't happened. Considering that it has been raining buckets in Calgary the last two years that it has been held I may not be too inclined to sign up next year!

Heather said...

You have definitely done some unconventional races - makes my calendar look so boring!

Have fun at the movie tonight!

Gotta Run..... said...

Adventure races, mudd runs, and any thing else crazy is what this sport is all about. Keeping it fresh and fun...right!

I must admit taking the time off of the heavy training miles of running what what I needed. I am fresh and look forward to the training weeks ahead. :))

I Run for Fun said...

All the races sound like a lot of fun. I have not run any unconventional races..maybe it's time I did!

TNTcoach Ken said...

The Bikini Mile in February. It might not be that bad except here in Michigan!!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The Linz said...

Those races sound fun - especially the mud run! I am still new to running so haven't delved into the crazy runs yet - still working on running 6 miles without dying.

But friends & I have started an annual "boozer cruizer" tour where we take our cruiser bikes and go on a jaunt stopping at different places on the way for beers. Great fun!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

those must be some great memories... i think the mud run would be awesome, but i'm not sure i have the personality for the City Chase... getting someone to change shirts with me HAHA. I'll live vicariously through your race reports :D

Felice Devine said...

I remember reading about that chase one after you did it and thinking it was awesome. So fun!

Jess said...

You've been quite adventuresome with your race choices! What fun.

I'm seeing New Moon on Saturday, so don't publish any spoilers before then!

Kelly said...

Those races look SO fun!!!

Jamie said...

Very fun! I need to find something different.

Patrick said...

Wow-- Those races look like a blast!!! I have heard about the mudrun -- will have to partake next year!

teacherwoman said...

I don't think I have ever run an unconventional race... someday! :)

I hope to see New Moon with my sister within the next couple of weeks! :)

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to do a mud run or something at midnight! You are so lucky that you have so many races to choose from!

Laura said...

I love the races you have done. I am so going to encourage our run group to do the city chase. It looks awesome.

Denise said...

the mud race looks so fun and the wine one...um yea, that's my kind of race. Have to do that some day!

J said...

WoW - three cool races! Toronto isn't that far away from me but its still a little bit of a hike for that city chase race! I know that my city is starting a new racing thing in May but it's a mini triathlon thing with kayaking instead of swimming i think which really isnt that much fun.

Jill said...

Those races sound like a blast! There's one in Denver similar to your City Chase - I'm going to have to do that next year! Run well this weekend!

N.D. said...

haha you've done alot! great pictures!

Toni said...

Those races look like so much fun! I would love to do an adventure race, maybe next year.

joyRuN said...

Every single one of those races had sounded like so much fun!

Hope you liked New Moon. I certainly did :)

Boris T said...

Nice pics!

Hey we were both at the 2008 and 2009 Mud run!

I don't think I'll be doing another one, they keep screwing up on the organization. I think I'll take a year off in 2010 and hope they get their thing together.