Run in Mud Obstacle Race Training-Bone Frog Challenge Atlanta 8.26.16

I signed up for the Bone Frog Challenge Elite course of 9 miles. I chose this particular race and course because it is a qualification event for the OCR World Championship.

The elite heat began promptly at 8:30 am following the opening ceremony on the grounds of an off road racing course in Cedartown, GA. The 9 mile course winded through rolling hills, barren and hard packed in some areas, while wooded trails dominated most of the course. Bone Frog took advantage of using terrain (steep hills) and natural water sources as obstacles.

The course distances were a mystery as the volunteer staff at each obstacle were not privy with course information. No updates on distance was provided other than the map distributed earlier. The obstacles were a mystery as well with many names not providing desired results in internet search engines. Recons are always important, but not always possible. So maybe the "unknown" is a mental obstacle intentionally designed into the course.

There were many, many wall climbing and crawl through obstacles. Once appropriately worn down, racers were treated to obstacles requiring upper body strength such as hoists, rope climbing, monkey bar type obstacles strategically placed at the end of the course. Unlike Spartan Race, all elite racers had to complete all obstacles with no alternate exercises. Racers were issued a wrist band and keeping the band required total success. However, I was able to pass most obstacles with relative ease except for three. I was surprised that the following obstacles (not correct name, but correct description) caused me a great degree of distress; but I made it.

Rolling Thunder-The tire obstacle at the beginning. I started off in the middle of the pack, but was in dead last after finally conquering this obstacle. I is about 4 - 5 feet tall, lined with tires that roll with your body weight. All I had to do was go over it, but failed a few times. Finally I figured out how to get my body weight over the other side and roll off.

The uneven poles. This obstacle had large horizontally placed logs. Once log was about 3.5 feet off the ground and the following log an additional 2 feet higher. The object was to climb onto one log, stand and climb up and over the other one. Seems pretty easy until it is sufficiently slicked over with mud. I should have had a pristine obstacle, but even though we began in the elite heat with clean obstacles, our heat takes a detour and we reengage the sprint course. Run too slow or get caught on an obstacle, you get behind the other runners well used obstacles.  I had to attempt this slippery obstacle a few times before getting up and over.

I felt my training led me to successfully complete the course with a podium winning time (3d in my age group). My only request is that even though my time and results showed a 3d place age group finish, it would have been nice to have an award ceremony podium recognition to follow. I was happy with that and I qualified for the OCR World Championships.

Bone Frog had a great group of volunteers, plenty of water, well-constructed and safe obstacles, and a great after party. I am looking forward to my next Bone Frog Challenge.