24-Sep-17 What Goes Up Must Loop-the-Loop

DiveMilw · Sep 24, 2017, 04:24 AM

Today is the Special Olympics Coaster Challenge. I'm only signed up for a 5K but I'm hoping to get in a half marathon's worth of rides. It is forecasted to be very hot so we'll see how long I last. We don't ride continuously so I can take a hydration break as needed.

KathyB · Sep 25, 2017, 07:59 AM

Quote from: DiveMilw on Sep 24, 2017, 04:24 AMToday is the Special Olympics Coaster Challenge. I'm only signed up for a 5K but I'm hoping to get in a half marathon's worth of rides. It is forecasted to be very hot so we'll see how long I last. We don't ride continuously so I can take a hydration break as needed.

So, how did it go?

DiveMilw · Sep 26, 2017, 01:57 PM

Quote from: KathyB on Sep 25, 2017, 07:59 AM
Quote from: DiveMilw on Sep 24, 2017, 04:24 AMToday is the Special Olympics Coaster Challenge. I'm only signed up for a 5K but I'm hoping to get in a half marathon's worth of rides. It is forecasted to be very hot so we'll see how long I last. We don't ride continuously so I can take a hydration break as needed.
So, how did it go?

It was great! The park opened two hours early for people doing the challenge. They had two of the roller coasters operating early. I got there around 09:30 or 10:00 a.m. because I thought I'd have to wait to ride. Based on the amount of money I raised I was only signed up to do a distance of 5K. We had the last priority to ride since ours was the shortest distance. But not as many people were there early as I had thought there would be. I was able to ride the longest coaster in the park, Raging Bull, 8 times in a row because there weren't enough people waiting to fill the train. I rode 3 times in the last row, 3 times in the second last row and then 2 in the third last row. Between the rides and the heat I was starting to feel a little woozy so I took a break. I had completed my distance on my fourth ride so everything else was gravy! I rode Raging Bull once more in the front row and then moved on to the other coasters in the park. As a participant I could use the "flash pass" lane so I was able to fit another three coasters, lunch and a few "cool down" periods. Did I mention how hot and humid it was on Sunday?
I was sitting next to a guy who was doing the full marathon. He rode Raging Bull 14 times in a row before taking a break. He was older than I!! I'm hoping I can do this again next year.