We arrived at
the host hotel and event site on Friday. I picked up a flu bug earlier and
wasn’t feeling the best so as soon as we checked into the hotel I went to bed hoping
that I would feel much better in the morning. Luckily, although my cold was
still present, I did in fact feel energetic and in good spirits for the event.
After picking
up my pre-race package, having a carb and protein filled breakfast and stretching
I lined up with the others for the 9am heat. Next the customary chanting of “I
am Spartan, AROO!!” and we are off. First
obstacle, the Over, Under, Threw and then onward to the continuous climb up the
mountain for what seems like forever before any other obstacles at all. The
climb is challenging to say the least and I am left wondering how I could have
trained differently to make it easier. Uphill hiking, maybe? Although everyone
started out in a run I see no one running now and we are all simply hiking up
the mountain. Eventually we come to the log carry and then almost immediately
thereafter the Hercules hoist. Good, I think to myself, some obstacles to break
up the climb. No such luck however. We are on the climb again. A couple more
obstacles where spectators can watch, my husband is there to cheer me on and
lift my spirits, a water station and we are climbing again. This climb much
like the start seems never ending and by now everything is hurting. Calves,
butt, hamstrings, quads……B U R N I N G!!!
Finally I
make it to “The top of the World” as it’s called and everyone including myself
is thinking ok downhill from here. Argh…the downhill only lasts for a short
time and we are going up again. Many short downs plus several climbs later and
finally I can see the finish line, hear the cheers and am headed down the home
stretch.
I can
honestly say that the obstacles were the easy part of this race. I was
terrified of the covered trench obstacle, being that I am claustrophobic, but
with a pep talk from a couple of people near me, I took it on and was happy
that I did. I honestly didn’t have the energy for burpees. A little over 14
miles (almost entirely uphill) and 27 obstacles concluded the race. I did have
to complete burpees for a couple of obstacles……Always at the spear throw and
the rope climb at the end.
This race is
by far one of the toughest things I have ever taken on both mentally and
physically. There were a couple of moments throughout the race that I wanted to
cry, especially at the bucket brigade- it was such a long trek with that bucket
full of sand, but I didn’t cry, several of us let out a few choice curse words
instead. I jumped the fire after 4:58:40 with a sense of relief, got both my
medals, grabbed some water, hugged my husband and then the tears came. Silly?
Maybe, but it was an emotional, tough journey.
I am very
happy to have taken on this challenge. I achieved my trifecta goal and once
again have proven to myself that I am not a quitter but most importantly that I
can certainly do anything that I set my mind too.
A huge thank
you to my husband for cheering me on, giving me a pep talk before, during and
after the race, for telling me how proud he was of me, for my trifecta sweater
and simply for the awesome support and encouragement.
He is
intrigued by the beast so it looks like we will be conquering this one together
in 2015.
Until next
time,
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