25kms and 100+ obstacles to overcome, this was indeed a blind date with no prior experience of even a hurdle race. It was pure enthusiasm and zeal to try out something new that had hit the city for the first time. The 5km category did not appeal much and so was left with the 25km category to sign up with.
It wasnt easy to get through the selection but I was able to meet the criteria for making it to only 18 runners in the city. The qualification gave a feeling of being a deserving candidate for the event.
The mileage wasnt a major concern here, but crossing over the obstacle a 100+ times definitely gave jitters especially the rope climbs, crawls, running with dead weights and walking over the bamboos. The organizers had conducted training and learning sessions for the obstacles that gave you much needed insight of what to expect during the run.
The struggle began at 6am on d day. Along side were 17 other shortlisted runners along with few celebrities 😉. We were called the ULTRA ALPHA ATHLETES.
Sounds good, but things got real when i suffered a knock on my shin from a Bamboo stick that had us walk over it. The slush and water did not give much grip on the petite stick and I slipped. This left a scar for life on my shin 😭.
The captures below had a tale of its own.
Th first 5km loop almost took an hour and gave a taste of what it will take to repeat the route for another 4 rounds. Adding to the misery, the sun waived at us making it hot and cold at the same time. Every loop was adding mud, water, sand to our weight and raising difficulties in movement. The worst was the slush and sand that got accumulated in the socks and shoes and friction between the foot and shoes lead to water boils and peeling of skin. It could not get worse than this and I still had another two loops to go.
While we continued to run, crawl, hop, jump, slide , in short survive, we were joined with many other runners who had registered for the 5km run. The 5km category had one loop to finish the run. The runners were kind enough to give preferences to ULTRA ALPHA ATHLETES to get over the obstacle first and they took pride in cheering us.
By the 4th loop, the level of fatigueness was hitting the roof and thinking of another round of torture felt like injustice 🙏. I tagged along a runner who was sailing the same boat and all we had to shares the horror experiences we so far had while crossing the obstacles. We both ensured not to forfeit any obstacle and took it head on with no self pity. The hunger, thirst and the pain in my shin was growing as I was in my last 5km loop.
I was joined by a fellow work colleague who joyfully encouraged me to give my best as I approached the finish line. The very push had me going not thinking of the pain i was going through.
The finish line made me wish no more obstacles races , but just when moments passed and people showered all the praise, you are not afraid anymore of taking on the next big event.
The 4 hour mayhem had ended but the misery wasnt. It was time to discover the injuries that had developed during the race and to my surprise, my skin behind my heels were peeled off.
Still jumping in joy and pride, took a dip in the muddy mad made swimming pool and took a sigh of relief and achievement. The medal of glory and the tshirt that you truly deserve are the souvenirs you cherish for lifetime. 😎
Just when I was recovering the following week, the organizers published a article with a pic of mine. What a bliss! 😊
Photography is the story you fail to put into words.
– Anonymous.