May 12th 2013 was and always will be (as
per my previous blog) a very special date. My first OCR Nuclear Rush.
Sunday 11th May 2014 was my return visit. My anxiousness was high. I had become close to the Nuclear team and was more aware this time what to expect with small insights into certain obstacles on the course. Would my expectations be met, I recalled an old saying 'Never meet your heros' had I returned to Rush expecting the same eleation at crossing the line, the same emotions as 12 months and many OCRs later??
I had been planning and even started to write
a review. However, many of my muddy
colleagues have done a far better job that I ever would so if you are interested I thought I would
share Mudstacles review of Rush the 'Game Changer '
I di use my Go pro and have decided to post my first person highlights of the day (sorry having real trouble adding music).
Instead of a more formal review I wanted to share my very personal experiences at Rush.
What I will say is as always
this was an incredible well organised and most importantly for me a safe
race. Don’t get me wrong as you will see
from the video and many many pictures available online. This was not a race for the unprepared. A few injuries did occur.
This was probably one of the most physically
and mentally challenging races to date.
Each time I run a Nuclear Race I say the same thing. That’s simply because each time I race they
have upped their game! As if the ¼ pipe wasn’t
enough (my nemesis from Blackout) this time we also had the zip line, ‘death’ slide 120m
Guerilla bars (monkey bars on steroids) and more mud than you can imagine. Seriously you should of seen the bottom of
the shower after the race.
The course also held a very special obstacle. One of my fellow Nukers Dave Ayling had been
given a section of river to ‘create’ an obstacle. He kindly invited myself and Simon Fowler to
assist. The ‘Mud Bro’s’ Log carry river
run was born.
I cant thank him enough
for this opportunity. What an honour to
be involved in designing an obstacle and then running it with thousands of
others. So to anyone reading this who
ran Rush, Sorry I was part responsible for the log river run ;)
If you read my last post you will realise how
special this next parts were.
I ran out of
the forest and met one of the many pond crossings. As I was midway I looked up and saw the tree
stump and bank where 12 months previously my family had stood and cheered me
on. I chocked back a lump in my throat
and wadded on.
After more forests and obstacles we began to loop back to the
event village. Again another well
organised plan from Nuclear races. They
had manipulated the course so almost 12 obstacles were within easy walking
distance. As I slide down the Fire-mans
pole and managed a quick dunk in and out of the ICE BATH the crowds cheering
were getting bigger and we were confronted by the ¼ pipe. My head dropped as I really wasn’t looking
forward to this obstacle. However, once
again my spirits were lifted as I heard ‘DADDY!!’ and looked up to see Carley,
Jack and Luna all with beaming smiles (yes even Luna, one perk of owning a Dalmatian
is when they are happy, they smile!)
My energy levels returned (kinda) and new determination (as
I didn’t want to face plant and slide back down in-front of my family! Also at
this stage Carley had her phone out and was snapping and recording away! I had started running with a few friends and
about halfway had been caught up by another.
He tackled the ¼ pipe first and managed it 1st time. I took my first few steps and then went for
it. I managed to get to the top and
without his help would still be hanging there (Thanks Chris!)
As we emerged from the forest one last time Carley and Jack had were once again cheering me on. I called Jack over and we ran the last few meters to the finish line together.
Once again Rush will hold some awesome memoreies and a special place in my heart.
#LOVEMUD
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