 |
Watch on YouTube: Brisbane Urban Max - 2010 |  |
 |  |  |
| | |
 | |  |
subscribe
So we stepped up for our second Urban Max. We made the trek from cold windy Melbourne to Sydney in all its glory. What a cracker day. Again. This year we roped in our friends Deb and Stephen and became the awesome foursome. It's the only exercise event I have been in where there is always a couple of people having a ciggie or greasy burger just before the race. This epitomizes the spirit of the event where the fit, friendly, families and "faggers" all step up to have a swing.
We planned and strategized for about 45 minutes until we agreed on what we were looking for, where it was and in what order we would find them. We were in great shape as we left the start line. But, not for long. As we walked out the gate some very helpful Urban Maxers informed us that the first checkpoint we were making a beeline for wasn't open until much later. No probs. Our quick thinking said "right let's head to Galaxyworld in George Street". Wrong again. It was Timezone. Luckily the see of blue t-shirts guided us correctly to our first checkpoint. After collecting our 20 tickets, it was off to see Queen Victoria. We nailed this pretty quickly. But we didn't need to as we had pledged our support for Canteen with a lobster at the start line. Crap. We wasted time and had to work out another clue.
The bike shop was next and the only real challenge was getting my bike nut partner out of there! The tower was next and it was a doozy. Do we take the high road or the low road? Nah, let's just take the longest way possible including the high road, the low road, a set of stairs and a killer hill. Luckily we weren't the only ones who took this route. Then it was off to the pub for a beer. Not really. We were in and out in a flash and then across to stack golf balls. I was surrounded by people yelling "over here Marshall I've got it". So I chimed in. But I didn't have it. I just handed over some money and went on my merry way.
We then did a fly by at Bligh and bolted through the Botanical Gardens down to Harry's. Luckily we didn't have to down a tiger as I would have parked it halfway up the evil stairs on the way to the sweet shop. False advertising as far as I am concerned. Nothing sweet about that activity.
We were cruising along nicely on the 324 until it broke down across two lanes of traffic on Ocean Street. Everyone sat in silence wondering if it was going to be a Mercedes, BMW or Audi that was going to t-bone us. Fortunately our driver managed to kick start the blue beast and we were off again. It was a quick dash down for snorkel and splash. I didn't want to waste any time and ripped my shorts and top off and went for it. I don't think too many people realized I was actually in my underwear. Or did they?
Kayaking was a treat. What a view. What a day. Nailed this one in no time. Then it was off to the park to roll some hoops and get swiped for the twelfth time.
Then came crossing New South Head Road to get the bus back to Elizabeth Street. The bus was there, the last passenger had got on and we were on the wrong side of the road. "Let's go for it" I yelled, like it was for a million dollars. I made it almost across to the footpath in front of the bus, when my feet and legs got tangled up. The entire bus had a bird's eye view of my fall from grace. My partner scraped my face, both knees and both palms off the road and threw me on the bus where nobody looked at me or said a word, including my partner. Then he broke the silence with "I told you not to run". Mmm. Fortunately my injuries gave me an excuse not to participate at stop number thirteen. This was where I forgave my partner for his lack of empathy as he nailed a Fosbury flop on his first try at the high jump. Nice one.
With smiles and relationships in tact, we dashed out of the stadium just in time to be greeted by our blue German friend who took us back to the EQ for the yoyo trick and our final "bleep".
I have just checked out our results and we came fourteenth in the mixed racing. This is much better than I thought and an improvement on last year. But at the end of the day, it wasn't where we came that mattered. OK it counts for a little.
This has been one of the highlights of my year. An extremely well organised event full of smiles, fun and laughter. We'll be back next year, wounds and all.
