Now that I have had some time to process everything from the past weekend and Ive shared it with him, I can find the words and hopefully some sort of flow to share it with you all. I did my very first OCR at the MuckFest here in STL last July. I did it on a whim and had no idea what I was in for. I have been working out and lifting for years so I really didnt experience that first OCR feeling that so many people get. The only 2 feelings I really got were that I thoroughly enjoyed it and was immediately hooked to do more AND that I knew I was going to have to learn how to run if I ever wanted to be any good. Long story short... I know I am strong physically and mentally and I can get myself through anything. Along came a fire inside of me to be better, train harder, and do more and more races; and do them competitively. Team Fugitive Run welcomed me as a member and my OCR life changed. Being the woman I am, I am often torn between being competitive and then sacrificing myself for others. BUT that is what I love about this sport - OCR is both. You always have an opportunity to shine. I just choose to shine by helping and pushing those I am with to shine brighter than they imagined or thought possible. I am not the fastest woman on the course or the strongest (though I do have some muscles that make some of the other girls a little green...and some of the guys too). LOL! And now it seems my #sweetcheeks are pretty noticeable too. To have Noah Galloway- Athlete ask to take a flexing picture with me was pretty dadgum flattering! I went to OCRWC knowing that I was not going to win prize money. I just knew that I qualified (even if a couple of haters and jealous folks didnt think it was deserved) and I was going to experience history...and be a part of it! I posted like crazy to the point I am sure several folks finally hid me from their newsfeeds. When I twisted my knee at Battlefrog in late September and then again at Battlegrounds a couple weeks later, my training had to change and I felt like I was at a bit of a disadvantage. The voices started fighting in my head and I was so fearful of letting anyone down, including myself. I had not ran or even jogged so much as a lap around a track in 4 weeks going into Cincinnati. :( Fast forward to race day... We arrived at the parking area right before 630am. Dettra Mixson Kearse and KC Frahm were volunteering so they had to be at the venue at 630 and the line for the shuttle as such that waiting would have made them late. We politely asked those at the front of the line if they could cut in and explained why. Everyone in line agreed with the exception of ONE person. Sad to say, this person was a sponsored athlete for Obstacle Racing Media and her response to our request was we are all going to the same place, so no! That encounter played a role in my weekend - and Ill explain why in a minute. Being there so early when my start time wasnt until 1205pm, I got to take in HISTORY! I watched the elite men and women all take off. I got to watch them go through obstacles and then finish that course. I watched as OCR history was made when the first 3 men crossed that finish line. I kept looking for Brakken Kraker to cross only to find out hed had to pull out. I enjoyed the atmosphere. I met so many amazing people. I entertained many with my dancing skills (well, my lack of dancing skills). I sang at the top of my lungs while I was stretching. I just had fun and relaxed. Then the time came and I was in the starting corral. CoachPain Dewayne sent us off with a motivational speech that still gives me chills. (Thanks to Jennifer Jarvi and her recording it for me, I get to relive it again and again!) Once the gun sounded it was time and I knew I was going to finish. I promised Ruth Cordingley that I was NOT going to leave her behind, no matter what. My goal became not only to finish myself but to make sure she did as well. Along the course...the 8.8 miles of living hill hell...and the 50+ man-made obstacles that were created to challenge even the elite of the elite...we laughed and we scowled. We pushed and we pulled. We walked and we jogged...even crawling on hands and knees at times. I met more awesome people on the course. Then along came Erik M Samaro and Aaron Stenger...they started in the wave after Ruth and me but they caught us - and then refused to leave us behind. We formed a bond on that course. We pushed and encouraged each other. We sacrificed ourselves for the sake of our team. And it felt AMAZING! I am in tears as I write because I am again...and again...and again, reminded of just why I love this sport! A few times along the course I made my knee mad. My left heel felt like someone was pushing and twisting a sword right through the middle of it. But I wasnt quitting. We got to Pinnacle Hill; the last hill climb before the ginormous water slide and last stretch of the course. We got up and I felt this rush of energy. I was ready to finish strong! Then came the water slide...so much speed coming down that thing. So much force when you hit that water. And there it was...My true test of the course. See, when I hit that water, my heel planted in the mud at the bottom and my knee JAMMED! I honestly thought at that moment I had torn something. I climbed out of the water and through a pipe. I didnt care that people over me could hear the echoes of my sobs. I came to the end of the pipe and stopped. My friend asked me last night while we were talking - what was my gut check moment on the course? When was the point (if there was one) that I wanted to quit. I told him - and I admit to you now - it was at that moment. I was resting at the end of the pipe, head down in sobs, knee shooting pain through my soul...at that moment my body was ready to quit. My heart and soul kicked in. I thought about my friend - I thought about my amazing Team Fugitive mates - I thought about myself - and I thought about the 3 other people with whom I made a pact to finish with TOGETHER! I crawled out - I hobbled along. Erik and Aaron both offered to help me with the wreck bag carry and crawl under wire. I refused. If I was going to finish I was going to do what I could and I knew I could pull that weight. Ruth helped me up the wall. Aaron helped me down so as not to injure my knee more. Erik helped me down the sternum checker for the same reason. We saw the finish line about 150 yds ahead and we grabbed each others hands and went! I collapsed at the line with so much emotion that it was almost an out of body experience. KC wanted to be the one to hand me my medal - and I am so glad she did. There was so much more meaning to it for me. I hugged and held my OCR family TIGHT. (I probably could have crushed them. LOL) The climax of my 2014 OCR season was here. I had reached my pinnacle and I was so proud. I represented myself well. I represented Team Fugitive well. I showed and I experienced that the love of OCR is about - teamwork and camaraderie...a do NOT quit spirit... I refused to be like that snooty athlete we encountered. While I was still going for the same finish line as my teammates, it wasnt all about me. It was about the spirit of the sport and making sure I upheld what my love and values are. I wanted to be able to hold my head high and I wanted to be someone my family and friends would be proud to associate themselves with. I paid it forward by helping and encouraging others - just like so many have done for me. I didnt even know how the night would end - but once I saw...I wanted to display a drive and passion for this sport like Jennifer did. OCRWC 2014 was a first for this sport. I am beyond honored and proud to have been a part of it all. I want to be an ambassador for this sport - show and share with others just how it can change your life. It has certainly changed mine. The culmination of it all into one weekend was the perfect ending to a season through which I saw just how far I have come and just how much farther I am able to go!
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:31:24 +0000
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