Get Ready, Get Set, Get Muddy!

預備，起！沾滿泥巴吧！
As adventure races gain popularity, the Muddy Buddy stands out
在這項獨特的比賽中，參賽者得在泥巴裡衝刺
by Chelsea Ewald

You stand at the starting line, ready to meet the challenge that lies ahead. In a few moments you will take on the Muddy Buddy. This unique and entertaining race will have you smiling – and dirty – in no time.
Unlike a traditional race, the Muddy Buddy requires each racer to compete with a partner. The “buddies” take turns running and riding a bicycle over a six- to seven-mile course. Along the way, they come across five obstacles. Racers work to overcome these obstacles while taking turns running and biking. For most teams though, the best part of the race comes at the end. Here, partners must crawl together through a 60-foot-long mud pit.
Smiling racers are covered from head to toe in mud when they finally cross the finish line. The race is all in fun. After the race, awards are given to the fastest teams. And one award is even given to the team wearing the best costume. Every muddy buddy feels like a winner, albeit a muddy one!

More information
When the Muddy Buddy race started in 1999, about 600 people participated. Ten years later, there were over 20,000 racers. Some of the challenges facing Muddy Buddy racers include walking across a balance beam, climbing a wall, and sliding down a 30-foot slide. Children can enjoy the Muddy Buddy too. There is a special race for them called the Mini Muddy Buddy.

challenge (n)-facing difficult things or difficult tasks.
Although the math test a challenge, Stacy got an A because she studied hard.
obstacle (n)- 障碍，阻碍，此指 障碍物。
Learning English well as the only obstacle. Frances had to overcome in order to study in America.
* The rocks on the road were the main obstacles to the truck trying to reach to village.
* We can overcome any obstacle if we work as a team.
crawl (v)-down your body, move with your hands and knees.
Before babies learn to walk, they must first learn to crawl.
costume's (n)--That restaurant is known for making its staff dress in funny costumes. 服装 戏服
*The play's costumes are mostly hand-made by the students' moms.
*The costumes in the movie really took the audience back to medieval times.
albeit (prep)= all be it, although, even though, 尽管，虽然
*Teaching is a demanding, albeit a rewarding job. 耗费心力，有成就感
*The mayor tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to get the proposal passed by the council.
buddy- you might call your best friend buddy.
muddy-is wet dirt.
overcome- experience victory over it.
pit-area

Grammar
Racers work to overcome these obstacles while taking turns running and biking.
Racers work to overcome these obstacles while they are taking turns running and biking. 太wordy.
conjunction+verb in -ing form (用conjunction word +动词+ing来使句子精简有力）
..while taking turns running and biking.
"before'--Before going to bed, Jim always eats a snack.
"after"--After studying in Italy, Laura became interested in fashion.
"since"--Emma has been more responsible since coming back from college.
"when"--When driving in the rain, be sure you keep a safe distance with the car in front of you.

Chat Room
take turns轮流=alternate交替-taking turns, is your turn, is my turn, who's turn? 轮到谁了？轮到时都只有一次机会，用单数，轮来轮去back and forth, 用複数take turns.
taking a bad turn-situation or condition got worse. 演变成事件(包刮国家或个人的经济状况恶化)
take a turn for the worse/better- 用在人身体健康状况，变差，变恶，或变好。