How I Would Train for The Amazing Race
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Of all the reality TV I watch, The Amazing Race is my favorite and the only show I would apply to. If you’re unfamiliar with the show, The Amazing Race is a race where teams of two travel around the world for $1 million. My love for the show is twofold: 1. scavenger hunts are great fun and I love them. 2. (and this is the most important) you get to experience travel and cultures in a way you wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise.
This blog started as a way to document and share the stories of my time abroad in unique programs and has beautifully grown to include general travel experiences. So what better show to love and watch than The Amazing Race?! If I were to apply to the show it would be with my husband, Jonathan. Here are the various mental, physical, and emotional ways in which I would train (he’d probably join in these too) and prepare to race around the world for $1 million:
Run a 5k. Then do it again with weight. And keep at it. There is plenty of running from challenge to challenge, and it’s common for tasks to end in a foot race to the pit stop. I’d boost my cardio skills and add to my runs with a weighted vest, like I would have the weight of a backpack when on a race. Additionally, strength training and stretching would be key here. I use the app N2R for running guidance and The Amazing Race would be urgent motivation.
Learn to drive a manual car. Automatic cars are the norm in the United States, but not always in the rest of the world. A team usually gets stuck and panics about how to drive a manual car, significantly delaying their arrival to the next clue.
Assemble IKEA furniture regularly. One of the frequent tasks on the show is some type of assembly. At the time of writing, the contestants on this season had to assemble a bagpipe. I’d practice building IKEA furniture and learn to not only build something unfamiliar, but reinforce reading directions, and reading them slowly. The show is a race, but the most important tip is to fully read the clue.
Complete the basics of as many languages as possible on Duolingo. If I’m going all the way around the world, I want to be able to communicate as best as possible!
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. This one is a little harder to prepare for specifically, but I can emotionally be ready and accepting of the fact I will be recorded on national television. I will accept that I will get frustrated and probably cry several times, but there will be many celebratory moments too.
Journal, even when I’m tired and it’s the last thing I want to do. Journaling sets me up in the rhythm to document the race: where we went, what we did, and who was eliminated (if anyone). This may come in handy as the competition narrows.
Refresh my map reading skills. Time to put down the GPS and go back to relying on a paper map and compass. Don’t worry, I’d have someone else drive while I navigate. Safety first! This book looks like it would be a great help.
Together: complete ropes courses. Ropes courses are popular team-building activities and with good reason. They involve communication and trust, as well as heights, fear, and other obstacles not regularly encountered. By completing these rope course obstacles, we would tangibly know that we are able to accomplish a challenge. We can do it together and we are stronger together. Because in the end, The Amazing Race is a team activity. Yoni and I have our individual strengths, but if we don’t work together as a team, we will never make it to the finale and take home the prize.
If you were to apply, how would you prepare, if at all? Let me know in the comments! If we apply and make it on, you’ll be sure to know.