Here comes OCRtober!

The summer is a sad time because there aren't very many OCR's out there unless you head north.  Now that September is here, I've been able to get back into my natural habitat and run a couple races.   But that is just a sneak preview for the main event, OCR-TOBER!  I am thrilled and a little nervous about October, because it is going to be the most challenging stretch that I've ever faced since starting my OCR life.

It all starts October 4th with Mud Endeavor V in Brooksville.  I've run this venue before and love the layout.  You can see most of the course so the excitement level is that much higher.  Plus, there's a fun factor because there are a couple water slides!  Originally, this date was supposed to be reserved for OCR 100, a mythical race with 100 obstacles.  But, apparently, the first obstacle was existing, and they did not pass it.

The second week of OCRtober brings me to Monster Challenges.  They've got a great race and greater medals!  I've done this race twice and it's loads of fun, with snow, a slide, and a zip line at the end.  But I need to exorcise a couple demons in this race.  I got my foot stuck in an obstacle last time, which was pretty embarrassing, so I can't let that happen again.  Also, they have a large quarter pipe ramp known as the Curved Creature.  There are different heights to this beast for you to climb and I have yet to make it up the highest height.  I WILL this time!

It is at this point in the month where the fun turns into fear.  On October 18th,  I'll be doing Tactical Titan.  I just ran the last Mud Titan a couple weeks ago, and boy did they step up their upper body obstacles.  My hands and forearms were worthless after that race, and I'm afraid it will be kicked up a notch for this one.  No mud, just obstacles.  I hope they have people watching over each one.  If you fail an obstacle in a normal race, you usually fall into mud or water and have to climb out, which does slow you down.  I really hope it's not just grass where people will basically just hop off an obstacle and start running while us non-cheaters try to finish each one...

The grand finale in OCRtober takes me on a trip to South Carolina for the Spartan Beast, a 13 mile race in the mountains.  This will be my third Spartan Race.  I finished the Sprint in Tampa and the Super in Miami.  This one will give me my trifecta!  I am extremely excited and worried about this race.  For one, I live in Florida, where speed bumps are the only hills we have.  Also, I heard last year this race started at about 30 degrees.  Oh by the way, it will be the longest race I have ever done, so this will be a humongous challenge.  But hey, I don't do these races because they are easy.

I love OCR because they let you know what your made of.  I should learn a lot about myself in October.  I say I'm scared or worried about some of these races, but that is what makes it exciting for me.  What doesn't challenge us doesn't change us.  Bring it on!

Am I An Athlete?

If you asked me if I consider myself an athlete, I would probably answer, "No."  But, for the first time in my life, I was recently called an athlete by a friend.  I laughed it off at the time, but I started to ask myself, "Am I an athlete?"

Growing up, I was short and skinny, and pretty much a nerd.  I was more than a mathlete than an athlete, that's for sure.  However, I did love to play sports.  I wasn't necessarily great at them, but I still loved to play.  Here's how great I was:  Once in high school, I went to play basketball in the neighborhood, as I did often after school.  There were 11 of us, and when teams were picked, I was the only one not to get picked.  But here's the catch.  Who was the last person picked on a team?   Well, he was actually a great athlete.  But, he had a broken leg at the time.  A BROKEN LEG.  That was definitely kick to the ol' ego.

When I did actually get to play anything, be it football, basketball, or whatever, I would give it my all.  I wasn't the fastest or the most athletic, but nobody worked harder than me out there.  I would often dive for loose balls and scrape myself up.  People would comment that I wasn't getting paid, so why was I doing that?  I didn't get it.  How could you not give it your all?  

That's why I fell in love with obstacle course racing (OCR).  You really find out who you are on those courses.  They really kick your butt.  You have to dig deep and push yourself to be successful in these races, and I love it.  Best of all, I have met others who share the need to get outside of your comfort zone and see where it takes you.  What an incredible group of positive, supportive people!

We are all on a journey, just at different places.  My journey in OCR is nowhere near the finish line, as long as I can help it.  But I am going to keep moving forward, working hard, and getting better.  After all, I am an athlete.