It was a hot day on June 16th. There was music blaring and an MC calling for the next wave of runners to report to the starting line. People of all shapes and sizes gathered like cattle, ready to stampede off into the wilderness of Quantico Marine Base. This is a race, but not just any race. This is one of many obstacle races that are quickly becoming popular across America.
I signed up for the upcoming Spartan Race and Tough Mudder. Both are at 9 to 12 miles of treacherous obstacles and mud. This race is 3.5 miles with a few obstacles, mud and hills. For those that plan on doing a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder, this is a good warm up. Or at least, this is a fun alternative to the 5ks that pop up around DC where you just run.
A few of my friends registered and we all ran together. It was a morning of fun! Here's the list of obstacles:
1. Stair climb - after maybe a quarter mile from the starting line you come up to a stadium/track and go up.
2. Striking shields - a bunch of Marines are gathered at the top of the stairs with striking pads. You have to get through them as they "bump" you with them.
3. A-Frame - 7-8 foot wall that you have to climb over.
4. Hay bales - yep, a bunch of bales of hay scattered apart enough for you to leap over in sequence
5. Flutter kicks - when you reach this area, there's a Marine yelling at you all boot-camp style to get on the ground and do flutter kicks. SO GET ON THE GROUND MAGGOT!
6. Tires - just like those high school football days when the coach took his old tires, placed them on the ground and told you to run over them by placing your feet in their centers.
7. Tubes - get on your hands and knees and make like a hamster while crawling through these.
8. Mud Crawl -There's a nice area of mud at the end of the tubes to make you feel like frosted cake.
9. Berm Climb - Just a big lump or mini hill that you have to climb over
10. Mud Pit#1 - That's right maggot! Get in there and get dirty! There's nothing like running all caked in mud. You shoes get heavier too!
11. Spider web - Crawling under a cargo net.
12. Jacks - Another Marine awaits you, commanding you to give him 10 jumping jacks. It's really easy.
13. Hay Hurdle - remember the hay bales? Yeah.
14. Ammo Can Carry - Just like it sounds. Pick up and ammo can and carry it a few yards.
15. Mud Pit #2 - Because the first one wasn't enough. You gotta keep that muddy feeling with you throughout the race.
16. Cargo Net - They placed a cargo net on a muddy hill to help you out. It's a good leg workout.
17. Fire truck hose - You're almost done! Now's your chance to get a little clean for that finish line photo finish!
18. The finish line - you get your medal, water, banana, energy jelly beans and a few other keepsakes.
Afterwards you get free beer and party to some music. You and your friends celebrate your accomplishment by taking post-race photos where you look like hell(and feel like it too). Then you go to work and tell war stories and show your battle wounds.
So if you're into outdoorsy things or just running gets a little boring. Try one of these out. It's $40 to register. Loads of fun and bragging rights to you friends, and another thing to cross of your bucket list. read more