The City Chase Race

This weekend was the Mitsubishi City Chase race in Toronto. It is kind of like the Amazing Race. You are tested physically and mentally while finding and completing challenges along the way. The City Chase has races in cities all over the world each year ending with the winners for each country competing at an International race.

I had been planning to go into the race since January when my friend asked me to be her partner. I admit, I had great plans to train and use this as the excuse I needed to get into shape. I felt I let myself down by managing to only walk and play occasional tennis. I was letting this fact get me down about the race and I was not looking forward to it. I decided to go into it to have fun. I get so tired of trying to be/please other people that I have finally given up on that. In the race I was me. I found out that it was not only a relief to be me but it was also way more fun!

Knowing now that yes, I did need to be in better shape, I am hoping the burning in my legs will go away soon and I can start some kind of routine to get into shape without the pressure of a race.

The Race: I had so much fun. I loved hanging around Toronto the day before the race with my friend/race partner and having dinner with my cousin (Thanks to her for all her help from home for the race telling us where things were - our "phone a friend"). 

I loved the excitement I felt the morning of the race. The rain made me feel anxious at times at the beginning but we were glad to have it for a refreshing cool down during the day. I had fun sizing up the other teams and watching the crowds grow. I loved how I felt in my jersey and number with my knee socks and garbage bag rain coat (my dad would be so proud). 

The opening speech was inspiring and after welling up and hugging the racer beside me (the whole crowd hugging at this point not just me!) we got started. I felt such energy and excitement. We started the race having to do a scavenger hunt with another team in order to get our clue sheet. I loved meeting "James" and asking him to moon for us, digging through the garbage for a 2 day old paper, and running with all our required items back to the start.

Some of the challenges we did were: pulling a rickshaw while looking for letters to de-scramble, dancing the merengue, rock climbing, (fake) kyaking, boxing, and pole dancing.

I had street meat for lunch with a coke. Some athlete! I wonder how that looked as I ran in a race. I love my Coke way too much! I swear it was kept me going.

I must say that we came across some of the nicest people during the race. The people of Toronto were so helpful and excited for us. From the TTC street car drivers, the other racers, the race volunteers, and people on the street. Thank you for that. You really helped 2 girls who have limited knowledge of the city.

Today, I feel glad I did the race and happy I accomplished something that was not only hard and challenging for me, but also scary at times. You never know what you will have to face. I loved knowing I was not going to let myself (or my partner) down by quitting or by being afraid. I felt stronger for it.

Note to self: Next time - do not to eat a hot dog and coke and try to do sit ups, T push ups, skip rope and do burpees. New meaning to burpees for me.

I guess I know now that I can do anything I put my mind to. Good to know.