What I learned from racing this weekend

I have done more Savage Races this year than any other year, but in some metrics I have had less success than in the past. This year came with success in my first race, Georgia Spring,  where I 100% completed the course and earned 2nd place in my age group. But, In the 3 races since then, I have either not completed the course 100%, which is required to podium, or I have not finished within the time cap. That being said, I don’t count them as failures. 

I learned a lot from the experiences. I need to work more on grip endurance is what I learned in Charlotte. This is because Savage Rig is what stopped me from completing everything. However, I learned a couple more things from Ohio this past weekend. 

Here is what I learned. I first need to work on grip strength in general, because I kept slipping off of the obstacle called the Great Wall. It is around 8ft tall. I am 5ft, so I already have to jump higher than almost everyone out there. I have conquered it in the past, and by most metrics, I was doing fairly well this event. The amount of times I jumped high enough to get my hand on top was reassuring, but the rain changed the story for me. My usual technique of jumping and grabbing the top with my dominant hand became unfruitful because I could not keep my hold on top. Eventually, I had worn a place dry by my hand wiping it over and over before I had a confident grip. By that point, I had taken at least 30 minutes on that obstacle! 

I was so frustrated. I was only halfway through the course and less than halfway through the obstacles. I was angry, because I didn’t have time to delay on any more obstacles or time to take more attempts on anything else. 

Yet, the sense of urgency forced me to dig deep. I had to make every attempt count, and I had to try in a timely manner if I had any chance of making it within the 2 hour time limit. 

I may not have made it in time, because of some rough attempts at other obstacles, but I learned that I am way more capable than I gave myself credit for. I don’t have to wait as long to try obstacles. I can just go, and I am hard headed enough to not quit halfway through. I failed an obstacle near the end, but I did take the time to 100% complete everything. Which felt like redemption from my Charlotte performance. 

Although I did not make it in time, I count it as a personal win. I know what I need to work on, and my resolve is strengthened. I want to be even more competitive than I am and I am going to change my training accordingly. LET’S GO!

Sawtooth