This was by far the most fun and challenging of the obstacle races
I've competed in. It was also the best organized and easy to execute. Tons of
volunteers and organization efforts played to make it low stress and high fun.
I paid 10 bucks to park, was directed to a parking spot by well
identified parking attendants, led down a well marked road a half mile to
the entry point. Once inside, I easily found the packet pickup place, and took
my gear to another easy to find tent.
My buddies signed up for a different heat, but were allowed to
jump into my 11:00 am heat. After checking in, looking around and warming up for
about 20 minutes, we got to our heat start point 30 minutes early. Eager to go,
the organizers let us go about 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Relying on my good training, I jumped in at competition speed. I
quickly negotiated my first obstacle, but but by the time i reached the
next obstacle, we ran into an earlier heat. The obstacle was backed up
for a minute or more. While waiting, I was initially frustrated, but turned off
my game face and made friends with some folks in line.
One of those turned out to be my buddy for the rest of the event.
I was the faster runner and he was the better at negotiating obstacles. I
followed his moves and gained great experience. However, our alliance proved
invaluable at the mud mounds.
These were about four tall mounds of earth rising from deep mud
and water filled pits. Our heat was the fourth and by them the mud mounds were
just slick and unclimbable. My buddy heaved me up to the top and I turned around
and pulled him up through the mud covered sea of humanity. This team worked got
us through quickly. On one such mound I could not get up, even while my buddy
pulled (I had heaved him up first). No matter how hard we tried, our mud caked
hands and slippery slopes proved frustrating and I slid back down. Finally, one
helpful warrior advised me to use my knees to climb and not my shoes. I owe her
a debt of gratitude for that sage advice.
Cargo nets, rope climbs, and other safe but challenging obstacles
followed. Finally, I found a clear path and met no other lines. I found the
fire and jumped over it and struggled through the last mud pit. Covered
head to tow, I passed the finish line before my vision became clouded by oozing
mud. Feeling like blind Bartimaeus from the bible, a fellow warrior guided me
to a water point and helped me get the mud out of my eyes. Thanks dude!
My time was 30:47. I know if I ran an earlier heat, it would have
been several minutes faster. I'm in the 40 -49 year old age group. At 48
years old, I finished 17 in my age group and about 150 over all. The winner of
my age group was in at 24:35, that's kicking it so congratulations to him.
Once done, I showered off in the cold water. They ran out of water
and had to bring in reinforcements. My shower was the best as I was able to use
one of many hoses supplied. However, once the water ran out, volunteers held
the hoses for the rest of the day.
I met a lot of people that day, danced and even entered the push
up competition. Lots of fun. I left at 4 pm, but the party continued there.
I recommend this run and will definitely do it again.
