Time to get muddy

A blog post I wrote in January I spoke about talking to a girl I was very inspired by. She continued to inspire me passing me at mile 18 of my first marathon in April. Fast forward a couple months and I receive a message from her asking me if I'd like a complimentary entry into a Spartan Race in Monterey on August 10th. Of course I say yes as I have no idea what this entails. I later learn its a half marathon distance mud run with obstacles. I did a ten mile course over a year ago so I felt prepared. I continued my fitness schedule I've had in place for a number of months and one week prior to the race on August 10th I went with a friend on a hill run and learned to use ropes to rappel down a rock face. I'd later learn on a section of the course that this run and lesson I received would prove very valuable.

The day of the race I was awake at 3:30 am to prepare my hydration pack and needed supplies. I picked up my friend and off we went. We arrived at the parking lot of our destination 2 hours later then had to catch a shuttle to the event site. My friend had a earlier start time so she left an hour ahead of me.

The first obstacle I came to were some dirt mounds to climb followed by mud pits filled with water. After that obstacle I'd face steep uphill climbs a short downhill then get to the wall climbs. Wall climbs have always been difficult for me in previous short distance mud runs I've completed. I was happy I didn't struggle. I climbed over the walls and I looked forward to having a burpee free race. It was then on to a series of box jumps on wooden bleachers those were fun. I came to the monkey bars and was told if I fell off it was burpees. Now I love burpees, but I really wanted to cross those monkey bars. Trust me they were way easier as a child! The muddy barbwire crawl complete with getting drenched by the fire hose was a great time. The most difficult obstacle for most of the athletes was filling the 5 gallon bucket with sand and gravel and carrying it up a hill and back down. I figured out a technique that worked well for me. There were tire pulls, sand bag carries, cinder block drags, more barb wire crawls and my favorite obstacle was the the invert wall. My least favorite obstacle was the suspended cargo net. My left leg experienced cramping and I was scared to cross it. I took it slow and steady and made it across. I failed the rope climb, traverse wall and spear throw so alas I didn't have a burpee free run, but I did have a terrific time.

I crossed the finished line and my friend and obstacle course specialist found me and we set off to sweep the course.

We caught up to the last runner on the course. He was nauseous and proceeded to vomit, but was determined to carry on. My friend and I would learn he was there with his father and 4 sisters in honor of their mother who had battled breast cancer that had since metastasized to her bones. This struck close to home as I lost the woman who was a second grandma to me just over a year ago. This young man wasn't able to finish not for lack of tenacity, mental ability or drive, but simply physically and medically  it wasn't advised.

My friend and I continued on the course picking up trash, taking down course markings and I was excited to pull the men's weight tire and do the invert wall a second time.

This event sparked a drive and desire in me that I've never experienced before. I learned there is a world championship event in Vermont in just 6 weeks from the time this event I participated in took place. I'm simply amazed at the amazing turn my life has taken in only 3 short months.