He and I set off on what I called a mini-vacation. We made some fun stops along the way for me to drop off treats to my favorite kid in Santa Barbara and drop off birthday gifts for my dear friend and her daughter in Los Angeles and then enjoy dinner with his dad. His dad was so accommodating and let us stay in the guest rooms at his warm beautiful home.
We got up early and headed to the race venue. I volunteer for the street team so I received close parking so that was the warm up walk to the starting line on Saturday morning. I only had one goal as I prepared for the SoCal Spartan Race Super and Sprint courses. I wanted successful completion of the traverse wall and rope climb obstacles.
My Spartner and I got our race packets and went seperate directions. I climbed the wall to get to the starting line and I joined him there. I knew it would only be a matter of seconds and he would be far ahead of me. I hadn't asked him to wait. He later told me he had questioned if he should stay with me and I told him I was so happy he did what he wanted which was to push himself. I'm strong, stubborn and slow, but those are my strengths.
I went under and over walls and netting and on to single track, water crossings and up a hill and to more walls to go over under and through. Next was monkey bars (sure glad I shaved my hands). I came to the traverse wall and despite the same cramping that occurred the first time I tried that wall at my first race last year I was able to complete it. There was a short sand bag carry, but when I lifted the women's weight it was so light I decided the men's weight would be more fun. There was an atlas carry that I loved because I'd practiced those just days prior. Tire flips were fun. More running up a steep hill and some flat terrain on to a sand/rock bag carry up and over a tiny hill. I came to the Hercules hoist and took a shot at the men's weight and only got it half way up and went to do the women's weight.
There was a log/balance obstacle that would cost me my first 30 burpees. I thought of my Spartner knowing he crushed that obstacle since he was always jumping and balancing on bridge railings when we adventured during training.
There were more steep up/downhills and I came to the tractor pull. This obstacle consists of a cement block attached to a chain that you pull up a hill through soft sand and back down another hill. I know this is meant to break down and fatigue the muscles shortly before the spear throw so I tried to strategize. My strategy went well but I missed the target. 30 more burpees for me weeee.
On to the rolling mud hills and water/mud pits. Here's where the real challenge began on the last 1/4 mile and 3 obstacles prior to the finish line. I stepped into the water and my right calf completely cramped and ceased to move. Fear took over, crying and anger joined it for company. I balanced on my left leg and reached for my right foot and pulled as hard as I could and told my leg to work. I could move it again so I started climbing the mud hill. The cramping returned. I would step down hoping to stretch it. I just wanted to get to the rope climb so I struggled through the pain and tears. I ducked under the water under the wall, climbed one last hill and walked to the rope climb. I put my foot on the rope just like I'd practiced and I was faced again with cramping. I took a rest at the bottom of the rope in the water then began the climb. Up, up I went only one pull and leg transition and a knot left and I would hit the bell. My arms gave out and I fell hitting my jaw on a knot as I went feet and face first into the water. I was so bitter I'd failed my goal and my arms failed me again on the wall and rope obstacle following. At this point I said congrats Spartan Race Super course you broke me, but I have a fire to cross to the finish line and I'll be back tomorrow to hang out with your nicer shorter twin the Sprint. I cross the finish and see a familiar face the singing tortoise and he hugs me and asks if I'm okay to which I respond no and he replies asking what he can help me with and I'm at a loss for what to say as I walk away. I didn't know what I needed but I got rinsed off and headed to where I'd stashed my sweet potatoes and chicken tenderloin. I bit into my roasted sweet potato and it hurt to chew. I was annoyed all over again at that darn rope and I promised myself I would use the poor experience to my advantage the following day.
I hadn't set up a place to stay Saturday night so by some struck of luck my Spartner found a room in a casino hotel with two beds and the jacuzzi right out the window because why would we use the door when the window is the direct route.
Sunday morning I was scheduled to volunteer with street team and set up the items I had organized and put away Saturday night. My Spartner didn't hesitate at all he jumped in and helped even while I was out on course.
I had a mission on Sunday it was to take it easy, avoid cramping, preserve my energy for the last mile and complete the rope climb. My Spartner and I took photos in front of the spartan race banner prior to running and I later found out they used it for marketing. I 
started out right on the pace I wanted and I came to the area where a choice needed to be made. Do I take the harder shorter left as I'd done previously and be stuck walking the single track behind the line of runners or do I go right easier longer. I choose right because I wanted a change of scenery and to be alone. I finished that, climbed a hill did the same obstacles as the day before minus the sand bag carry it wasn't on the course and continued on. I got to the logs and decided to take my Spartners advice I went quick jumping from log to log. Success no burpees as I yelled, heck yes I failed that yesterday." A runner heard me and said dang you did this yesterday? I wasn't about to tell him the course I did the day before was double the distance.
I continued on hitting my mark of at least 3 miles in under an hour. Those that have never done OCR are thinking why did it take 20 minutes to go just one mile. I don't know I ask myself that same question all the time. I will get faster I promise. I arrived at the tractor pull again to it back logged just like the previous day. I was given the option to burpee out, but I decided I wouldn't care about my time anymore. I was set to finish in 1.5 hours had I not had to wait. I missed my spear knocked out 30 burpees and put a huge smile on my face. I was about to face the rolling mud where I had cramped on Saturday. I was on the third hill and I saw a familiar face. Tony from the pro team who I'd met at a beach workout previously and talked to in Vermont and Malibu. He snapped a photo and I continued on excited to get to the rope climb. I went under the wall in the water, jumped out and ran to the rope. I was at the bottom of the rope coaching myself as to what I would do differently. I reminded myself to envision the success of the first time I climbed the rope at CrossFit Nipomo. I also remembered my friend Corinne had told me to just have fun and climb that rope. I did it, I hit the bell. I worked my way back down and I ran to jump the fire and cross the finish line.
I've been participating in a tracking challenge this month of completing 100k to earn the privilege of getting a shirt that says Prove It. I often say the only thing you have to prove anything to is yourself. I needed to prove that I had become stronger, happier and healthier as a result of the struggle I faced in that area 5 years prior. I also wanted to prove I could turn the previous days failure into success.
What are you ready to prove to yourself?
1 comment:
Joanie - This is awesome, way to go my Spartner in Crime, you are the Bomb! Thank you thank you, big thanks to Corinne as well, that was huge getting me in there!
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