Austin Oyster Urban Adventure Race

Yesterday was the inaugural Austin Oyster Adventure Race. Carri and I have done the Urban Assault Race the last few years so we had a taste of adventure racing but in terms of physical activity the Oyster really bitch slaps the UAR. But we thought what the heck, let's try something new. So with our partner, Shorey we tackled this crazy adventure as the Mother Shuckers.

We started out with getting to the REI downtown location at a little before 6:30 AM to set up our transition area. It was a pretty crisp Austin morning and the wait for the 8:00 AM start seemed to drag on forever. Finally 8 AM arrived and we received our first passport. The passports tell you what you have to do on each leg, once you have completed the task (and can verify it) you get your passport punched and return to the transition area to get your next passport.

Passport 1: Picture This?

Running Leg. We needed to get our picture at three Austin landmarks: The UT "Mustangs" Sculpture, the Historic Austin Oaks plague, and the Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue. After a few minutes of consulting Google on the iPhone we found out where the plague we began our run and headed north to UT. Along the run to UT I found a $20 bill laying in the gutter, what a good start to the day. After a little confusion at UT (who knew they had so many statues) we found the correct one, and headed south. Since we all run the Hike & Bike we knew exactly where Stevie presides. A quick snap with him and off to Republic Square Park. After a pic with the plaque back to the transition area for a round trip of about 6 miles. We were all thinking if we have to run 6 miles every leg of the race it is gonna be a long day.

Distance: Run - 6 miles

Passport 2: Red Bum

Biking Leg. In this leg we split up into two groups: one of two and one solo. The team of two (Carri and I) had to go to the rowing dock and kayak out to Red Bud Island. Man, kayaking is pretty tough and it is a darn hard workout. Plus it seemed like Red Bud Island was miles away. We had a little issue but nothing that ingenuity cannot overcome and headed back to REI where Shorey was waiting for us. She had to go wade into Barton Springs pool and get a clue that we would use in a later passport.

Distance: Bike - 4 miles, Kayak - 1.7 miles

Passport 3: Oyster Fit Test

Running Leg. We needed to run to Pure Austin which is about 2 blocks away from REI and one teammate (me) had to lift 10,000 pounds, one teammate (Carri) had to run one mile on a treadmill, and one teammate (Shorey) had to bike 3 miles on a stationary bike. Carri and Shorey hopped on their respective equipment and I headed for the weight pile. Luckily I found a machine that I could do heavy weight and therefore low reps - the standing calf raise machine. I loaded that sucker up with 500 pounds and got to it. I busted out 15 of them before I thought my calf's were going to explode. A quick breather then 5 more and thankfully I was done. Waited for Carri and Shorey to finish and we were out of there. This is where things took a downward (literally) turn. As we were crossing the street back to REI Shorey stepped in a pothole and twisted her ankle and had a pretty nasty fall. I have to say she was very brave after a few minutes of walking it off she was hobbled but sucked it up and was ready to go.

Distance: Run - .5 miles plus 1 additional running for Carri and 3 additional biking for Shorey

Passport 4: Biking Bonnell

Biking Leg. Pretty self explanatory, we had to bike to Mt. Bonnell and get our passport punched. The distance of the ride was obviously not the challenge it was the hills that lead up to Mt. Bonnell. One upnote is at this point we were told we were the 4th co-ed team to the checkpoint.

Distance : 10.5 hilly miles.

Passport 5: Skatenger Hunt

Rollerblade, rollerskate, skateboard Leg. In this leg once again we broke up into a team of two and a solo team and had to rollerblade (Shorey), rollerskate (Carri), or skateboard (me) to various locations around town. Shorey with her bum ankle went to Whole Foods at get 3 locally produced items. Carri and I went to take our picture in front of the bat statue, and went to Runtex to simply get the passport punched. Skating for distance is really tiring and I was glad when the leg was completed.

Distance: 2.6 miles

Passport 6: Barton Springs Recall

Running, slogging Leg. In this we had to use the clue Shorey received from Passport 2 and we learned that we had to head out to Shoal Creek and do something. This something unfortunately turned out to be to wade through the filth that is the portion of the creek right behind REI. After off loading out electronics we jumped in and it smelled nasty (must be all the bum pee) and slogged through to an Oyster representative where we had to gather some rocks and help stem erosion along the banks. So good deed = nice, slogging through Shoal Creek = nasty.

Distance: too far.

Passport 7: Urban Challenge

Trick Leg. At the beginning of the race you are told to read all passports carefully and complete all tasks. This passport tested that theory. It stated that 1) we had to panhandle $1.40 in specific coin denominations, 2) collect 8 aluminum cans with specific sodas represented, 3) use the $1.40 to buy a beer at a specific bar and give it to someone there, 4) we could travel by any mode of transportation we wanted, 5) disregard everything we just read and simply get our passport punched.

Distance: 50 feet

Passport 8: Do you have a clue?

Biking Leg. We had to review all previous passports to find words with an * next to them and put those together to find our last location. The location was the new Alamo Draft House on 6th street. After biking there we were told we either had to find 8 bar specific napkins/beer brand coasters or a costume and return to REI. After a few minutes of looking for the napkins we gave up and headed for a costume/t-shirt shop along 6th. Unfortunately, there really costumes were $40-60. I spotted a tuxedo t-shirt and said I will be a groom. Bought it for $20, hmm just the amount I found earlier, and we raced back to REI for our final punch.

Distance: 2 miles

Post race we sat down, got out of our race clothes, had a few beers and some good bbq and waited for the awards ceremony. Of course we had no illusions of placing but since the awards were only about an hour after we finished why not...

And then it happened 3rd place in the co-ed division with a time of 4 hours 56 minutes, the Mother Shuckers. We were absolutely shocked that we placed, but I am glad that we did as the prizes were very nice: Three really cool medals, a $100 check made out to cash, a technical tee for me, 3 $30 REI gift cards, and a $10 gift card to Whole Foods. Woohoo what a haul. Time to head to Little Woodrows for another celebratory beer.

So overall I think it was a really fun race that breaks up the monotony of running and/or riding. I want to thank both Carri and Shorey for being great partners and making the day so much fun.

Total Approximate Distances:
Running: 6.5 miles plus some nasty slogging
Biking: 16.5 miles
Kayaking: 1.7 miles
Skating: 2.6 miles