ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners
9
RACE : REVIEW
onto a 50lb wreck bag carry up a 500m incline
and back down again, then another climb up the
mountain side conquering various obstacles up
to where ‘Skull Valley’ & ‘Platinum Rig 2’ awaited,
where it turned out that Skull Valley was to be my day
2 nemesis. I was confident here but too easily lost
my grip on the last skull before the bell at the end.
Disappointed was an understatement as I knew my
grip was going to be challenged a 2nd time. I cursed
loudly in front of all the spectators, I was so close! I
tried a 2nd time but lost my grip again towards the
end. With great advice from the sidelines from Lee
Pickering (my running coach) I gave up my wrist
band for the 2nd day knowing I had the rest of the
course to complete. Yes, I was gutted and I admit,
I shielded a few tears from everyone, it was ‘that’
intense but I reminded myself how I got here and
my objective was to finish regardless. I completed
the low Platinum Rig 2 on the 2nd attempt but with
my right heel (a cm or so) just touching the finish
line and after a 30 second debate between marshals
they deemed it incomplete. Frustrated with their
decision, I gave my number and carried on down
the hill, I completed the weaver and various other
obstacles which by then were just a blur and was
joined by Donna Jenner-Hall. We ran together for
a few km’s at the top of the mountain which was
great encouragement before continuing our own
journey’s down the mountain on an off-road cycle
track, fun if not fairly hair-raising in some parts!
Just when I thought the last of the hills were out
of the way, we started climbing again, completing
the large rope climb followed by another descent
back towards the finish line and into the village with
the tightly combined set of technical obstacles. I
O Canada
you did not
disappoint!
had the pleasure of my team mates and spectators
cheering me on before crossing the finish line with
an enormity of emotions going through my head but
mainly feeling huge personal achievement regardless
of losing my wrist band for the 2nd day.
Sunday was the Team event. Myself and team mates
Phil Dodd-Cruickshank and Matt Igglesden woke to a
very rainy day but today was all about fun. Teams of
3 set off in relay to cover 7km’s. 3 elements, speed,
strength and technical, before coming together to
tackle the HUGE wall before the finish line. I took on
‘strength’ and was rewarded with a 800m 50lb wreck
bag carry up the mountain. I surprised myself how
quickly I got up there but, due to heavy rain, it was
literally a ski slope coming down. I managed to stay
upright while others were sliding down around me.
The 3 of us completed the race with all wrist bands
intact and in a respectable time.
The whole weekend was just what I imagined an
Olympic Athletes village to feel like, with the village
dominated by a sea of ‘blue’ from Team UK. Sunday
boasted an exhilarating atmosphere, with all athletes
coming together sharing their weekend stories,
toasting Team UK successes, not least, Jon Albon’s
3rd World title. The party atmosphere continued
late into the night which, looking back, is just a blur
and was just what was needed post the weekends
activities. Team UK came and conquered.
As for me?? I delivered on my objectives of finishing
all 3 races, injury free, with 3 World Championship
medals and 1 wrist band, I was content.
01732 452404
Photos by Chosen
