Snowman Adventure: It's all downhill from here

I know what you were thinking Saturday morning.

You were thinking, "Heck, looks like a fine day to grab a sled and run up the East End hill, slide down at lightning speed, then bike around the Back Cove, pass a baton to a cohort who then runs back up the hill with the sled, slides down with the same gusto, then runs 2.25 miles and when he/she gets back we'll both hop onto our trusty sled and slide to the finish."

Maybe the sun puts silly ideas like that into your head.

If you did all those things Saturday, you were likely part of the weekend's Snowman Adventure Race. (Or very perplexed by all those costumed duos who totally stole your awesome idea and overtook the Eastern Prom.)

If instead you brushed those thoughts from your noggin, rolled over in bed and dropped back into a warm sleep, well then you missed out.

I hope the heavy regret doesn't hinder your future happiness.

But for the nearly 50 teams that showed up, sled in hand, at the East End parking lot Saturday, dreams came to fruition.

Casco Bay Sports' Snowman Adventure Race is a two-person relay (one person bikes, one runs, both have to jet up the hill with a sled and slide down to start their leg of the race).

These are serious athletes, folks. Athletes who wore costumes of mullet wigs, beer cans and pillows. Athletes who named their teams things like, "No Tampon for Old Men," "Two Hot Beeoches" and "Multiple Scorgasm."



My team, "Better off Sled" barely made it to the starting line, with me forgetting the all-important sled and my teammate forgetting her helmet (a race requirement).

But when 11:00 am founds its way to Maine, we were ready. The bikers were in charge of the first leg, and when "Go!" was shouted over the anxious teams, they bolted up the East End hill.



Then slid down it.

And off they went to bike the Back Cove. While they navigated the puddles of mud, sheets of ice and piles of crusted snow, we runners and spectators huddled near the heaters under the tent and waited.

When the first bikers started returning, it was clear they were having a rough go of it. Mud sprays spotted their clothes and faces. Most, it seemed, had wiped out at least once. Several collided. All were altogether spent by the time they passed the baton.


It was time for the runners to take on that hill. And I started up, with our tube flapping in the wind, with the utmost gusto. But half the way up my energy waned - and I started walking. No, "trudging" is a better word. At the top, breathless, I threw the tube down and looked down the hill, which was suddenly steeper than I remembered it.

The East End must be on a fault line - and plate tectonics was having its way with the the altitude.

But sliding I went - and wow, I'd forgotten what a winter delight downhill sledding is.

Some runners, despite their fresh enthusiasm, were halted by a passing train. Just the world's way of holding back the fast people so we slow pokes can catch up, if only temporarily.

The run took us down to the East End trail toward Portland Company, then up to Fore Street. And just as I was plodding past St. Lawrence Street I realized that I had spoken to soon when I'd thanked the heavens for not putting me on a bike. Sure, the bikers fell down a lot and were covered in mud, but have you ever tried to run up Fore Street?

I don't mean to be dramatic or anything, but it's akin to dying.



Back at the East End, teammates and sleds were waiting at the top of the hill. I found my Better off Sled partner and together we tubed to the finish line.

Another team of friends close behind managed to pop their tube on the way down. Mine, it seems, is dying a slow death in the middle of my family room. These are the sacrifices we make to the Snowman Adventure Gods.

Post-race, we were treated to soups from Maine Squeeze Juice Cafe and took some time to warm up (or cool down, depending).

Then off to Ri Ra where a spread of chicken wings, potato cakes and spinach dip awaited. Oh, and the celebratory drinks, of course.

Awards were given, including Best Team Name, which went to Victorious Angels.

Looking at the results board, we saw that "Over Forty & Still Naughty" had beat us by 20 minutes.

Of course they did.

Our finishing time? Well that's not really all that important, is it? It's not about the TIME. It's about the EXPERIENCE. Yea, that's it. The experience.

But what an experience it was. And race proceeds went to Portland Trails - who's going to knock that?

If you missed it this year, consider yourself warned. We expect to see you, decked out in feathers or garbage bags, at Snowman Adventure 2010.

Check out the Snowman Adventure Race participants

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