experience that I found myself quite unprepared
This race was a great reminder to me about why
for. Granted, I started out much too quickly, as I
I love obstacle racing as much as I do. I consider
excitedly tried to position myself near the front of
myself to have reached a place where I am in good
the pack in hopes of a competitive finish. The first
enough physical shape to approach each race well
two miles went great, and I felt strong as I pushed
prepared for most challenges that come my way. But
ahead. But after each climb up the steep, slick
any good race also provides obstacles or terrain that
embankments and tall hills, I slowly but surely ran
forces its participants out of our comfort zone, and
out of steam. Being used to flat, fast courses, the hills
that pushes us to our own physical limits. We face
showed me where my weakness is, and although I
our fears, we overcome our weakness, we are strong
completed obstacles with ease, each climb became
when we feel like we can no longer continue, and we
more and more labored as I progressed. The final
finish proud, knowing that we have just won a battle
hill, aptly named The Pinnacle, almost did me in
of mind over matter. If there was no challenge, then
as I found myself on several occasions grasping the
why do it?
rope provided for dear life, and struggling to will my
muscles to push me ahead to the summit.
My initial completion goal changed quite quickly,
There were many points of this event where I felt
weak. When each approaching hill created a brief
moment of dread, followed by a deep resolve that
and I no longer had a desire to prove to everyone
I must push ahead despite my brain screaming at
that I could finish in the top percentage, but simply
me that another climb would do me
to push through each remaining challenge, to
in. And although this race offers a
complete it to the best of my ability, and to be proud
spot to opt-out at each mile before
of that finish.
continuing on to the next stage,
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