Inflatable 5K Review

Let me start off by saying this was a fun fun fun race. I think having a large team made the race so fun.

(Michael, Carol and I ready for the race) 

I do have a few rants about this race. Let’s get them out of the way first thing. I personally felt the expense of this race was high for what you get. I paid $52.50 for the registration fee then an additional insurance fee of $3.50. Now here is the most upsetting part. On the day of the race we were charged a $10 parking fee. Not once in any of the pre-registration information did it say there would be an additional parking fee.

The packet pick up was a joke. You received a Sports Authority plastic bag with your bib (no timing chip), a coupon for Sports Authority and a nice plastic Sports Authority bracelet. At the finish line you were awarded with a t-shirt, cup of water and a granola bar.

When I was filling out my survey I looked at the price of the Warrior Dash in comparison. The registration fee is $60 three months out from race day. When participating in the Warrior Dash they give you a timing chip, t-shirt, warrior hat, medal, banana, water, oranges and a FREE Beer.

I guess I felt that for the price of the Inflatable 5k I didn’t get my money’s worth maybe that’s just me.

(Carol was our team captain great shirt if your team has more than 10 people)

 

The instructions told us to arrive an hour before our wave. Really we could have arrived about 30 minutes and been safe. It was fun to watch the first wave of the day head out into bounce mania.

The first obstacle at the start is called Bounce Way to Heaven. I wanted to get to the back of the pack because I didn’t want to get trampled on. The large bouncing steps would be much easier to climb over if you could actually bounce but there were way to many people. When you get to the top there is a slide down.

 

 

 

(See the guy in the white shirt in front of Carol in the air. Crazy fun! He is one of our team members )

This was probably one of my favorite obstacles.

I may or may not have all the obstacles in the right order. It’s been almost a week since the race and I have had a lot of things happen since then.

Run This Way

You get through this obstacle by running in one direction. Sounds pretty simple, right? Trust us, you’re not going to want to take this obstacle lightly. Run This Way challenges your balance and agility as you make your way across this huge mattress filled with ankle-loving holes.

Haha my friend Carol watched a video of this obstacle before the event and she said just run over the top. Yep we skipped the holes and ran over the top.

Bust On Thru to the other side

This obstacle is the ultimate agility test and is not for the faint of heart. Made up of three tire sections, Bust On Thru challenges you to break through four sets of doors without falling down. If your feet aren’t nimble and your knees inflexible, you may want to take this one a little slow.

I think the hardest part of this obstacle was the doors that would slam into you.

Big Balls

These Big Balls are always bouncing and we guarantee you’ll be smacked, whacked and knocked down by them. Quite possibly the world’s largest ball-pit, once you crawl under the entrance point, you’re immediately faced with giant flying balls coming directly at you. Duck, dive and dodge your way to the other side!

We had a blast pushing the balls into the people coming into the tent.

Tangled Up

 Sometimes getting a little Tangled Up is more fun than you’d think. Here’s your chance to get tangled in one of our most unique obstacles. Simply pick a lane, take the leap and navigate your way through. Don’t let the size intimidate you, trust us, you’ll get out. Eventually. This was a fun one.

My friend Carol is shorter than I am and we were wondering how we would get over the lanes. In the middle of the lane I gave Carol a little push to get her over.

 

Lose Yourself

Once you get to Lose Yourself, you’re no doubt sweating, feeling fatigued and wondering where you go next? Well, that’s for you to figure out; don’t let the mesh walls confuse you either. Adding to the pandemonium… your fellow runners will be up close and personal with you too!

I was very worried about this obstacle. Lucky for me a YOUNG fellow runner took the lead and got us through the maze in no time.

Disturbia

By the time you reach Disturbia, you’ll think you’ve come to some futuristic structure or maybe you’re hallucinating. Pick a crazy lane and go for it. Let the music be your guide … just don’t let Disturbia get the best of you!

This was very awkward but easy!

Electric Slide

Leave the boring straight slides on the playground. The Electric Slide is extremely steep, twisting, partially enclosed and sure to leave you wanting more. No worries, you’re allowed a second slide. You’re also allowed to start your own dance party.

 

This slide reminded me of a water slide minus the water. Keep your feet up or they will get hung up on the way down. Carol got a nice elbow burn from this slide.

 

Jump Around

This is where the rubber meets insanity and hands down one of the most insane obstacles you’ll ever experience. Simulating what it might be like to walk on the moon, Jump Around has more than 70 feet of crazy, bouncy fun.

This was my favorite obstacle. The key is to jump from one spot to the next. When you get to the end jump land on your bootay and bounce off.
Pure Misery

We took a page from our military’s training handbook and created this goliath that will leave you begging for mercy. This 100-foot long beast will test your strength, agility, flexibility and endurance as you complete multiple obstacles within the confines of this challenge. Some would say misery loves company.

I like this slide! In the middle it had a platform that broke you speed for the next slide.

Crazy Air

Finish Line

 

 

Insane things come to those who wait … and trust us, this is INSANE!

Crazy Air is the most fun obstacle you’ll go on all day and features one of the steepest inflatable slides in the world! You’ll slide down at a rapid pace and when you hit the bottom, there’s a lip to launch you into the air and onto the landing pad. The Crazy Air is more than 110 feet long and the only one of its kind.

Seriously, it’s the most fun you’ll have all day!

After reading that the finish line was 110 ft long slide I was a bit worried. By the time I got to the top I was ready and it was a blast!

 

Huge Thank you to John who had the most important job of all! Finish line BEER!

 

 

Overall this was a fun race. Would I do it again probably depending on other race options on the same day.
Read More: Insane Inflatable 5K Obstacles | Insane Inflatables | http://insaneinflatable5k.com/obstacles/?trackback=tsmclip

Photos: Inflatable 5K website and Anthony Calacino

Bod Pod vs Tanita Scale to Measure Body Fat %

“Starting a group with like-minded people can help you feel grounded and connected to what matters in your life”.

by Madisyn Taylor

 Love this quote one of my new dear State of Slim girls sent it over in an e-mail.

 

Carol my SOS buddy and I thought it would be fun to check out the Bod Pod at Colorado Mesa University.

I am sure you are wondering what is a Bod Pod?

BOD POD: A method for determining the lean body mass. The BOD POD is a computerized, egg-shaped chamber. Using the same whole-body measurement principle as underwater weighing, the BOD POD measures a subject’s mass and volume, from which their whole-body density is determined. Using these data, body fat and lean muscle mass can then be calculated.

After we walked the halls we found the Monfort Human Performance Lab in the Hamilton Recreation Center at CMU, that’s almost a workout in its self…Lol not really. The lab has many different unknown devices and offer many different kinds of testing to their athletes.

 

I did like a picture on the wall.

 

Anyho, once the intern arrived, we got dressed in our shorts and sports bar and he provided a cute little cap similar to a swim cap. He then entered the basic information into the computer. Name, height and birthdate then it was time to get on the pod scale for weight. I am guessing the pod needed some kind of calibration he put a huge cylinder in the pod, closed the lid and pushed a few buttons on the computer. Once the calibration was completed it was time to enter the pod. Instructions were to sit very still, breath normal and here is the panic button if you need it. The pod made some strange noises and it feels like you are in an airplane. If things go well only two tests are needed if there is an inconsistency a third is taken. The actual test takes about 3-5 minutes then a printed report immediately following.

 

My scale is the Tanita BF-682W Body Fat Scale

 

 

The Tanita

Measures both weight and body fat in just seconds Easy-to-use, one-piece digital unit Precision scale Results correlate with the most accurate professional methods of body fat measurement Tanita’s patented “foot pad” electrode design uses Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to determine body fat Supported by medical research Scuff-resistant metal foot pads

“Within seconds, the Tanita Body Fat Monitor and Scales gives an accurate reading of weight and body fat percentage. Tanita scales work by sending a safe, low electrical current through the body to measure its composition. Program your personal data, step on bare footed and within 30 seconds the results appear.”

 

The Tanita vs. Bod Pod = Bod Pod test showed a 4% lower BF% than the Tanita. Yep I will take that. The Tanita is a good tool for me to determine if I am losing muscle or fat. I think I will do the Bod Pod again in the future. It’s definitely worth finding three friends and sharing the expense of the test for $25each. I am not so sure the test is worth $45 for the one time.

I would highly recommend anyone getting ready to start a 16 week State of Slim challenge to have the Bod Pod test done and then again after the 16 weeks to see how the body changed.

The Bod Pod Body Composition analysis includes the following:

% Fat

% Fat Free Mass

Fat Mass in Pounds

Fat Free Mass (Lean Body Mass) in Pounds

Body Mass in Pounds

Body Volume, Body Density and Thoracic Gas Volume in Liters.(Not really sure what all that means)

The results sheet also shares your Body Fat Rating. I resulted in the moderately lean category at 24. 7% the range is 22-30%. This tells me that my fat level is generally acceptable for good health. My goal is to get down to the Lean category of 18-22% this range is generally excellent for health and longevity.

The next result given is the Energy Expenditure results the resting metabolic rate. If I understand this correctly I need 1,171 calories a day just to live. To maintain my weight at an active level I would need to eat 2,038 calories a day. It’s my understanding if wanting to lose weight decrease the number of calories and increase the activeness.

More Muscle = Faster Metabolism

The Bod Pod is a great tool to help achieve any kind of fitness level. I now know that my scale is a bit off and have an idea of where I want to see the % on my scale.