I would never do a race following the longest race of my life, but hey - this one was for money. I heard about a team competition in Oregon - you can win the team and individual competion so I couldn't pass it up.
The race was an new obstacle racing company called Atlas racing, and my friend and teammate Jenny was heading out too. We were going to be placed on their top team - so honestly were basically promised a minimum of $2500. I knew that winning the individual was a long shot since I was so physically and mentally drained, but my thursday run was fine and I went out.
The whole race to get there (flight cancelled, left wallet, and money home) almost made me throw in the towel, but things worked out. I came in at 11:30 pm fri night, so thank goodness the hotel was literally 300 yds from the airport.
It was fun doing the team thing- way less nerve wracking. I rode out with Hobie Call and Jenny Tobin with a sense of ease. I knew the girls I was running against were super fast, but I was going to give what I had. Winning was going to be a long shot.
After we started, I fully expected them to dash out ahead. But no - I somehow take a comfortable lead right away, and we start up some rough terrain and hills (having Vermont nightmares). I immediately start feeling it and my heart drops a bit. It was probably what I was expecting, but I knew the whole race was going to be rough.
The obstacles were the same and different. We had walls, rope descents downsteep hills, and a nice gauntlet at the end. But everything had a log theme, and they added quite a few balance obstacles. That unfortunately was my undoing that day. I got to the log hop (logs hammered in the ground - hop from top to top) These were at different angles and I knew I was in trouble when i put my foot on the first one. It was shaking like crazy! I didn't know Vermont would get me in this way. I fell off and had 20 burpees:( So did a bunch of the girls though. The girl who eventually got first made it and we never saw her again.
I ended up falling off another log obstacle and then the traverse wall (normally my specialty). Ugh:(
By the time we get back to the specator area, we have about 7 or 8 obstacles to go. 2nd place girl was a ways ahead, and it was 3,4, and 5 together. I was right on their tail as well hop 6 gates. We are all in line dragging in the bale of hay. Over the cargo ladder/net, to the rope climb. Jenny gets up first, and we are just behind her. Valerie and I hit the incline wall and I muscle up it faster. Jenny is gone but I get up the ladder to the platform to the 12 ft? drop into muddy water. Scary! I see jenny in front of me at the last obstacle - she tries the 8 ft wall...and doesn't make it. Burpees for her. I get the wall and run in to get 3rd place by the skin of my teeth!
Fun race, enjoyed the company all weekend, and am looking forward to the next atlas race.
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