I want this one. I really want this one. This is my backyard. I've ran this course 5 maybe 6 times now, and each time I have posted higher up the standings. I am faster now than I was before. The obstacles have never been an issue, just the running between. But now I am a runner! Once on site, I did all the signing in and registration things for myself, family and friends, I had time for a little stretching and pre-race toilet visits.
The safety brief and warm up was great fun, and i got spotted by the the warm up guy who I've seen at enough events now to be quite pally with. The warm up was fantastic, and Anthony from nrgize was on great form. From the warm up I nudged up to the front line and waited for the countdown. From the gun i sprinted hard with my pal, and arch nemesis, JP, and we cleared the first two obstacles with a clear lead on the pelaton. It is usual at this point in a race to start loosing places to the faster runners, but we managed to keep ahead of the game.
About half way round the first lap I had pulled nicely away from JP but I had picked up a shadow in a white t-shirt. Mr White kept me pushing hard, as I couldn't loose him no matted how fast I vaulted hay bales or trudged through mud, but I was managing to pull away on the running as I entered the final 500 meters on the first lap and a cargo net climb I heard an "Alright Paz" at JP streaked over the cargo net and skidded down the other side "You F***er" was my eloquent reply, swiftly followed by a cargo net fall, scramble, and sprint to catch up with JP. We had a bit of chat and tried to push hard to make it round before the next wave started their 1st lap. We didn't quite make it in time and had to join the melee of runners starting their 1st lap. JP and Mr White chose better lines and made it through the back markers much faster.
It took me 2.5 km to regain my lead, but I was feeling strong and started pulling away nicely. I was pushing hard to increase the gap I had rebuilt, the obstacles were not slowing me down too much and I was picking up the pace on the running elements too. But then disaster struck I leaped across a thick muddy trench and I as I climbed out, my running shoe stayed firmly were it was. I grabbed and pulled my shoe free and threw it too the end of the obstacle and chased it down. I tried to get my foot back in the show but it just wasn't happening. so I picked it up and ran with it, like I was Jonah Lomu. The course was far too stone strewn and hurt my feet too much so I stopped, undid the laces, put the shoe back on, and retied. This took a good couple of minutes, enough time for Mr white to cruise past me. My un-gentlemanly outburst of rather colourful language would have made a sailor blush, and earned a tongue lashing from my mother if she had heard. (the outburst was clearly directed at my shoe and not fellow competitors)
I then added to my stupidity and frustration by sprinted at full pace to try and make up some of the lost time. This sprint ended abruptly in tunnel vision, vertigo, burning lungs and an over whelming desire to vomit. I took this as a sign to bring it down a couple of gears, took it easy once I was in the next water obstacle. It was a super hard slog over the next 2km. JP caught up with me and we worked together in the last 1km to try and catch Mr White, but his lead was too great. JP took a slight lead over the final obstacles but generously slowed so we could cross the line at the same time.
I was incredibly proud of my run, and devastated by the shoe incident, but I managed to come joint 2nd in my wave and 23rd overall. I now have the tortures and nightmares of 'if only' and 'what if' to contend with when I look back at the race.
But hey ho. I had a great run, my step son did his first obstacle race, and I was very proud of him. All in all, no injuries, finished in the top 2% and felt fasted and fitter. Can't wait for my next race now!
www.xrunner.co.uk
The safety brief and warm up was great fun, and i got spotted by the the warm up guy who I've seen at enough events now to be quite pally with. The warm up was fantastic, and Anthony from nrgize was on great form. From the warm up I nudged up to the front line and waited for the countdown. From the gun i sprinted hard with my pal, and arch nemesis, JP, and we cleared the first two obstacles with a clear lead on the pelaton. It is usual at this point in a race to start loosing places to the faster runners, but we managed to keep ahead of the game.About half way round the first lap I had pulled nicely away from JP but I had picked up a shadow in a white t-shirt. Mr White kept me pushing hard, as I couldn't loose him no matted how fast I vaulted hay bales or trudged through mud, but I was managing to pull away on the running as I entered the final 500 meters on the first lap and a cargo net climb I heard an "Alright Paz" at JP streaked over the cargo net and skidded down the other side "You F***er" was my eloquent reply, swiftly followed by a cargo net fall, scramble, and sprint to catch up with JP. We had a bit of chat and tried to push hard to make it round before the next wave started their 1st lap. We didn't quite make it in time and had to join the melee of runners starting their 1st lap. JP and Mr White chose better lines and made it through the back markers much faster.It took me 2.5 km to regain my lead, but I was feeling strong and started pulling away nicely. I was pushing hard to increase the gap I had rebuilt, the obstacles were not slowing me down too much and I was picking up the pace on the running elements too. But then disaster struck I leaped across a thick muddy trench and I as I climbed out, my running shoe stayed firmly were it was. I grabbed and pulled my shoe free and threw it too the end of the obstacle and chased it down. I tried to get my foot back in the show but it just wasn't happening. so I picked it up and ran with it, like I was Jonah Lomu. The course was far too stone strewn and hurt my feet too much so I stopped, undid the laces, put the shoe back on, and retied. This took a good couple of minutes, enough time for Mr white to cruise past me. My un-gentlemanly outburst of rather colourful language would have made a sailor blush, and earned a tongue lashing from my mother if she had heard. (the outburst was clearly directed at my shoe and not fellow competitors)
I then added to my stupidity and frustration by sprinted at full pace to try and make up some of the lost time. This sprint ended abruptly in tunnel vision, vertigo, burning lungs and an over whelming desire to vomit. I took this as a sign to bring it down a couple of gears, took it easy once I was in the next water obstacle. It was a super hard slog over the next 2km. JP caught up with me and we worked together in the last 1km to try and catch Mr White, but his lead was too great. JP took a slight lead over the final obstacles but generously slowed so we could cross the line at the same time.I was incredibly proud of my run, and devastated by the shoe incident, but I managed to come joint 2nd in my wave and 23rd overall. I now have the tortures and nightmares of 'if only' and 'what if' to contend with when I look back at the race.
But hey ho. I had a great run, my step son did his first obstacle race, and I was very proud of him. All in all, no injuries, finished in the top 2% and felt fasted and fitter. Can't wait for my next race now!
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