Episode 5.

I think this was the most exciting episode yet.  Since there were fewer teams they added a 3rd event.  It kept the show to highlights!  The first event was the PWC race.  I have a ton of experience on a jet ski.  I grew up riding one everyday in the summer at my families marina. (Yough Lake Marina in Addison, PA)  I was really excited about this event, although I couldn't say the same for Maks.  He did a great job seeing that he's only been on one a few times in his life. Growing up riding PWC's at the marina, the only goal was to drive so wildly that I threw my passengers off while trying to stay on myself. When we got a chance to practice, I had to take the opportunity to send Maks flying.  I think he enjoyed it!  Anyway, we raced David and Lisa in the first heat.  David gained a big lead on Maks, and I wasn't sure if it was possible to catch Lisa.  With a little luck, I got her by a nose, and we went on to the winners race. We met Paige and Bode in the winners race.  Bode and I both opted to send our celebrities first.  Paige pulled ahead on Maks, giving Bode a huge lead.  I was worried waiting for the trade.  I couldn't catch Bode and we ended up 2nd after the first event.  

The next challenge was archery.  I never shot with a bow and arrow in my life until the practice session just before the event.  I was nervous during this event, because so much strategy came into play.  I went first for our team and opted for the safe route.  I shot all 6's.  We knew Maks would have the chance to go last and that's when strategy would come into play.  Maks had one arrow left, and we had a big decision to make.  Do we play it safe or do we go for the win. We needed a 6 to tie for first and an 8 to win. If we missed we fell all the way to 4th.  We decided to go for the tie and try to win the next days event.

We were in luck! The next event was climbing, one of my stronger events!  I had to coax Maks a little bit because he is scared of heights, and therefore has not done much if any climbing. The strategy here was to send him first so that I would know where we stood and could try to make up time if needed.  He did a great job at putting his fears aside and moved up the wall with ease. He gave me a head start in both of our matches.  I climbed as fast as I could, and in the end we were safe from the obstacle course again!  We were thrilled, because we made the final!  Next episode we wanted to go to the obstacle course!  Look out for more surprises next Tuesday night at 8/7 central on abc!