Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Gladiator Assault Challenge

One day long ago I was a runner.  I have ran multiple half marathons but after injuries and pursuing different goals running hasn't been a big part of my training.

However I do enjoy obstacle races but have only participated in small ones.  My husband and Traci decided to put a team together for our gym to participate in the Gladiator Assault Challenge.  I was all for it, then I realized it was six miles long with 31 obstacles and on a ski hill.  I went into it not really knowing what to fully expect but I was excited that we had 17 people on our team and knew everyone would be supportive and help one another through the course.


Our group consisted of runners, obstacle race participants and a few first time obstacle race participants.  As with any race there was a lot of excitement and adrenaline before the race began.  To get to the start you first had to walk up the very steep ski hill, no joke I was tired just walking up that dang hill.


Kyle and Traci were keeping me upbeat and excited before the actual start.  We began running back down the huge hill we walked up and went straight over two mud hills that you had to slide down into some cold water.  We got crazy muddy right off the bat and my shoes were so heavy with mud!

At the beginning we all stayed together pretty much running along and having fun in the mud.  Once we hit the timber area with some very steep inclines and muddy trails our group split into about three groups.  Traci, who I know could have just ran that race, stayed with me the entire time.  Encouraging me through each obstacle because there were some that I was simply fearful of.  Kyle would get ahead a bit and then circle back to make sure I was doing alright.  

My fears for this race were climbing over the walls, heights get to me and my biggest fear was going into water underneath a chain length fence and pulling yourself through.  I was fine climbing up the wall but once I was up there fear took over, they were slick with mud and I would freeze wondering if I could do it.  Traci was right beside me at the top guiding me down with Kyle at the bottom cheering me on and reminding me that I could do it.


Of course the final obstacle was the one I feared the most.  I stood there for a few moments contemplating skipping it.  Traci once again was right beside me, encouraging me and I just decided to go for it.  This picture isn't of me, it is one of our members who went through it but this is what it was.


I was actually doing great until I got to the end.  Another competitor accidentally bumped into me and pushed me against the side, I hit my head on the top part of the fence and was stuck for about five seconds.  That five seconds was enough to make me panic, thankfully he realized he had bumped me and he pulled me out.  It was so scary but I did it!!!!

Overcoming my fears was what this race was all about and I did every single obstacle.  It was such an awesome event and having our amazing Kosama team made it one of the best races I have ever participated in.


I could not have done it without the support and encouragement from everyone, especially Traci and Kyle.  Teamwork is what these races are all about for us.  Playing in the mud was fun, I was exhausted by the end but still smiling.


I am the girl who loves to dress up and wear high heels.  Traci is the girl who loves to get muddy and run.  We make quite the team and I know I wouldn't have been able to get through the race like I did without her.  Kyle encouraged me and as usual his belief in me is stronger than my own belief in myself.  


With that race in the books I move forward with my weight training and preparation for the October competition.  We are running the Spartan Sprint in Chicago in June, it makes me nervous just typing that out.  I know it will be tough and the obstacles will be more difficult along with the burpees you do when you can't pass an obstacle.  Traci and Kyle will be there along with other Kosamies and I know we will have fun.


Always believe in yourself, this was an awesome experience with some of the strongest, most supportive people in my life.  I am blessed!

18 comments:

  1. Those obstacle course races are no joke and very challenging! I am kind of afraid of them. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Deborah! They are challenging but with the right group of people they are so much fun :)

      Delete
  2. Congrats to you and your team! That muddy water/chain link fence obstacle looks intense. Mind over matter for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was mind over matter, I was proud to get through it :)

      Delete
  3. Obstacle course races are TOUGH! Congrats to you for finishing one. You have a wonderful network of friends who support you and help you get over your fears. I am contemplating diving into OCR but was only looking at Spartan races which none of the dates fit my schedule. But I guess there are others to choose from like this one. Will have to look into it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do really enjoy local obstacle races, we actually have quite a few around us. There is another one just a few miles from us in August that we are running. That one is a 5k with less obstacles but still so much fun!

      Delete
  4. This sounds like such a fun race. Lately I’ve been all about team races btbi haven’t ever done one. I’m glad you got to do it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my gosh, you're so amazing! I could never do one of these races. Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rachel, it really helps to have people close to you who love to run them and can talk you into it :)

      Delete
  6. Good for you!! I've never done an obstacle race. It sounds so challenging!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is very challenging both physically and mentally but I love that awesome feeling of accomplishment afterwards!

      Delete
  7. Sounds like an awesome experience! I did an obstacle race a few years ago and I also loved the entire team aspect of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was so much fun and I look forward to my next one!

      Delete
  8. oh my goodness NO THANK YOU!!! hahaha! amazing job done though, this is definitely not something I would do without a LOT of hesitation. (a LOT!!!) also? I hate getting muddy! haha!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you! It did feel amazing when I was finally able to shower :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an intense looking challenge! Kudos to you for completing this. As somebody who loathes getting dirty, there's no way that I could push myself to do something like this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, gosh! I would have freaked out if I got stuck! That's terrifying. I have yet to do an OCR, but I am starting to work up the nerve. I am kind of freaked out by a lot of the hanging and climbing and swinging, but... I think it's time to give it a go.

    ReplyDelete