Mud, Sharks and Lobsters Oh My!

Need a goal to help you get out this year? Try out one of these really out-there races and events. There is nothing like testing your fitness, while participating in an event that makes you laugh, fall down, or suffer. I’m aiming to do all three this year laugh, fall down, and suffer that is.

1) Nimble legs, quick footwork, and ability to survive New England ocean temperatures are the only prerequisites you need to participate in the Maine Lobster Crate Race. Your goal- make it across 50 strung together, partially submerged lobster crates. After years of spectating this sport, I’ve noticed the trick is to never slow down, it wouldn’t hurt to lose a few pounds either.

2) Not sure if you could survive a prison break? If you’re an experienced open water swimmer (and who isn’t these days?), try to break from the most famously impossible to escape prisons in the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. Dangers are drowning, shark attacks, and painfully cold water.

3) Sick of hanging up your bike for the winter? Well keep it out—all winter-- and get yourself invited to the Iditarod Trail Invitational Mountain Bike Race. You’ll have to spend a lot of time competing in other winter races and work your way up to this. But what is a little frostbite compared to a lifetime with love handles?

4) Costume up for this insane, fast moving, packed, sure to knock you out of your canoe River Rat Race from Athol to Orange Massachusetts. The New England thaw has chilled up the water and makes it faster moving than it will be all year. Don a costume if you choose and prepare yourself for a dunking. When I competed in this several years ago- I flipped my boat before the race even started!

5) There is nothing sexier than mud smeared across your buddy’s sweaty face. Find your most physically fit biking and running friend and jump on into the mud at the Muddy Buddy Mountain Bike Race.

6) Show the guys what a lady you are by kicking their butt in the Timberman Short Course. 1/3 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run.

7) Take your little hairy friend (no not your boyfriend) and try out the XTreme Air Dog Competition.You can either throw a toy out for them to jump for or they can jump for the bumper, suspended in the air before falling into the lake.

8) Show off your engineering, art and athletic skills all at once while taking part in The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta.