Radical Ropes
My daughters wanted to do one last blowout weekend beach
trip before school starts back next week. Who was I to deny this to them.
So off we went after work on Friday evening. Throw in a fuel
stop for both us and the car and we didn’t lay our heads on the pillows until
after midnight.
Of course, just because we are on a beach trip doesn’t mean
that I get to sleep in or lay off running. No sir. I was out the door by 7 AM and
headed up the beach. A full five miles needed
to be run with lots sightseeing before heading back on the return trip. No rest
for the weary, we headed out for a full day at the beach. Between the sun and
surf, the hours just melted away.
After grabbing dinner, we were off to do put-put at Mt.
Atlantis. Forty-eight dollars and untold number of steps, I was officially
tired. I did get 3 holes in one.
Back at the hotel, I barely closed my eyes or it seemed like
it before sun shining into our room. Out the door for another 10 run, this time
a southern 10 mile jaunt along the ocean.
While most beaches are relatively the same, the area around them can be vastly
different. The highlight of this run was the spotting of a UFO saucer shaped
house. The house had 360 degree view of the horizon. I would have loved to go
inside and check it out.
Off again to the beach until check out time. Next up came
shopping before finishing the evening off with a spectacular adventure.
Over the years, I have been on a few rope obstacle courses.
Did a Spartan run a couple of years ago. Sunday, I did a new concept in rope
obstacle course called Radical Ropes.
Having recently opened, people were checking it out.
My daughters caught sight of it on Saturday evening while
driving past so I promised we would come back to find out more about it. We
would do the rope courses if we could get a reservation. Low and behold, they
got us in at 4 PM. The expected duration time for taking the course was 2 and
half hours.
Driving by, the course didn’t look too difficult. Once I got
up close, I wasn’t so sure.
After a brief explanation on the rules and procedures, they
sent us off on the course. There are 3
courses. The first course is relative easy and is about 20 feet off ground. The second
course is about 40 feet off the ground and is a little more difficult. The
third level is about 60 feet off the ground and is about 50 times harder. Each level consisted of 16 different rope
obstacles.
My daughters went first and were flying along the course. I
am bigger, heavier, and well, yes, I will say, a lot less coordinated. My heart
was racing and sweat was rolling down my forehead. Each obstacle is different
but all used lots of balance, coordination, and upper body strength. Not traits consistent with being a runner.
We finished up the first course in about 45 minutes, and I was
spent. We grabbed a sip of water and head out on the 2nd course. My
arms and shoulders were burning. An hour
later, we had finished the 2nd course.
When we got level 3, the guide tried to talk us out of it.
He said it was exponentially harder and he was right. I was 60 feet off the
ground. At this height the relay platforms sway in the wind. Add in the sun
burning down on us. I was 2 obstacles in and my shoulders hated me for dragging
them through this. At the vertical ladder crossing, I had to stop in the middle
and hang on to the board to let my arms rest. We past ½ point of the obstacles and my arms
would shake with each crossing.
Level 3 is so hard that we were the only ones on it which
was good. We spent time resting between each of the obstacles. An hour and half
later, I stopped off the last obstacle. We were all so tired that none of us
wanted to go back and do any of the other courses again.
Radical Ropes is a cool concept but similar to Spartan
events, it isn’t for older or out of shape individuals. Throughout the courses
we were secured to the cable so we were never in any real danger of falling. The course are more about pushing and testing
yourself. Today, the soreness can be felt
throughout my arms, back, and shoulders.
Driving home last night, I looked over to see them all fast
asleep in their seats. The thought
occurred to me this may well be the last adventure we have together. Life moves
on. My oldest daughter heads off to college this fall. Her sisters are growing up
faster than I want them. I am getting older and they are getting stronger, more
coordinated, and more adventurous. My days of keeping up with them may come to an
end, but it wasn’t today.
Kids grow up in a blink of an eye, and it is true so don’t
waste a minute of it. Make as many memories with them while you can. Even when it
means, I am hanging from a cable 60 feet in the air.
Oh so sore,
The Cool Down Runner
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