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Welcome Mud Lovers! This is a continuation of the Obstacle Racers, Assemble Group This is an open group for anyone who is interested, curious, or completely obsessed with all things OCR related! Feel free to ask questions, share tips on gear or obstacle technique, or just let us know about a recent or upcoming race. Nothing is off topic and everyone is welcome. In a slight change, we'll be adding trail running to the discussion too. For a lot of us, the obstacle racing season is winding down for the year, and trail running is a great way to train for OCR's in the quiet winter months.

@The Most Loathed @Sloth the Enduring @EricMN @LadyShello Tagging the people I know are going in hopes of having a conversation about car pooling, etc. Let me know what people are thinking.

Asa clambered up the stairs in response to the severe looking witch's call of "Pond, Asa!". Sitting heavily on the rickety stool facing the Great Hall, she had an idea of what was to come next thanks to the stories her siblings had told her when she was young. It didn't help her nerves much though. Being in the P's, Asa had the opportunity to watch several other students get sorted into their houses before her and she was desperately hoping she wasn't one of the ones that took too long. "Hmmm..." She jumped as the old, ratty hat murmured in her ear. "Ratty old hat am I?" It chortled. "I suppose I am getting a bit up there in years." Asa didn't quite know how to respond. "...I'm sorry?" "No, you're not and that is perfectly fine with me. Now let's see. You might as well get comfortable, this isn't going to be easy, I can already tell you that." Asa groaned internally. Of course it wouldn't be. "Definitely not a Hufflepuff, that much I can say." "Why not?!" Asa had no specific desire to be sorted into Hufflepuff but something in the way the hat made it sound like it was so obvious was unnerving to her. "Well, where I put you depends on where you'll grow the most as a witch and as a person. I can already tell that your loyalty and friendship must be earned and are not freely given, and while you do not hate hard work, it is not your first inclination." Asa responded with a mental shrug. She really couldn't argue with that. "I see intelligence in you and a desire to learn. Perhaps a Ravenclaw? No, not quite. I see your value lies more strongly in areas beyond your pure education. Ahhhh, yes. Ambitious. Very ambitious and willing to bend a few rules, maybe, to get where you want to be?" "Only in the most necessary of circumstances!" Asa thought. "Only when it's really needed." "Mmmm." She wasn't quite sure the hat believed her, but she was pretty sure she believed herself. "What is it you want in life, Ms. Pond? Where do your dreams lead you?" Immediately, towering mountains and clear cold lakes filled her mind. Next came a flash of flying though the air, then dancing in the square of a city among its native citizens. Climbing, jumping, racing, exploring. But there was also the office with the view from the top and the important title outside her door. Her future employees came to her asking for advice and handing in assignments that she had ordered. The two dreams warred in her mind. "I see." Whispered the hat. "Even you are not sure where you belong. A life full of adventure or a life with power. So where to put you? Where indeed." She thought hard, trying to picture what she wanted the most, what scared her the most. "Ah!" Gasped the hat. "So that is what is holding you back. You are afraid, yes? Afraid of where you might be lead if you follow your heart? Then that is what you must discover, Ms. Pond. You must face what scares you. And in order to do that, you must go in GRYFFINDOR!" Of course the last word was yelled out to the room and the expectant sea of faces on her left roared with applause. She hopped off the stool and handed the hat back to Headmistress McGonagall with a quick smile. She didn't feel as confident in the choice as the hat seemed to be, but she would do her best to live up to the sorting.

Summer Challenge [ July 27th - September 6th ] Backstory "...." Challenger Overall Goal: Finish an OCR the weekend after this challenge ends (September 12th or 13th) and conquer every obstacle. Explanation: I've wanted to do one for ages, but there was always something that preventet it. Not this time! Last weekend I found out that there will be two races in September close enough to where I live and I decided that I'm gonna finally do it (either a Tough Mudder in Bavaria or a Spartan Race in Austria). There is enough time to prepare (I'm not starting from scratch!), I've got the financial means and the time to do it and there is nothing else on my mind right now that could distract me. After that decision was made, I sat down today to plan my preparation for it and since it is almost exactly 6 weeks away, it crossed my mind that a NF challenge would be a perfect preparation option if one started right about now.... And thank god, this one actually did. Okay, I'm three days late, but what the heck. I've had good experiences with challenges, although not the last couple of them. But that was probably because my overall goals were to broad; and you can't get much more specific than "finish that race". Since my last challenge try I've been working out more or less consistently. Short recap of the last year: I did standard calisthenics mixed with some crossfit-type bodyweight workouts, finished GMB P1 at the novice level last winter, started kettlebel training a couple of months ago (I actually did a beginner class with my mom, which was pretty awesome for her and me) and I started GMB F1 (also novice) a couple of weeks ago. On to the SUB-GOALS 1) Continue with GMB F1 also known as my Star Wars Goal: Jedi Training Stats: DEX 2 I CON 1 I STR 1 Grading: 4 workouts and 2 mobility sessions per week are 100% (=A). 5 sessions equal a B 4 sessions equal a C 3 sessions in total (50%) equal a D 2) Calisthenics and kettlebell workouts also known as my Agents of Shield Goal: Operations Bootcamp There will be pull-ups, won't there? And push-ups, swings, snatches, running and what not more. To weed those out, who'd better stayed at communications or science. But not me.... There will be a big variety, some short, some medium and some long workouts, But they're all gonna be intensive. Stats: STR 2 I STA 2 Grading: 6 workouts per week are 100% (=A). 5 workouts equal a B 4 workouts equal a C 3 workouts in total (50%) equal a D 3) Supported by a good nutrition also known as my Teen Wolf Goal: Avoiding Mountain Ash This means a paleo-inspired way of eating, especially nothing with a label that has words like "sugar (no matter what alias)" or "askllksjhgs (also known as words I don't know the meaning of) or can't pronounce". Also no cakes and sweets, even if homemade, because they are my personal mountain ash. Stats: CON 2 I CHA 2 Grading: 6 clean days of eating a week = A 5 = B 4 = C 3 = D Complemented by LIFE GOAL 4) Study also known as my Old Kingdom Goal: Learning the Charter Although I'm working now, I'm still studying for two things: A] psychology, I'm finally gonna get my degree next summer B] languages, because I like learning them, this may include brushing up on my Spanish and Japanese but mostly concentrating on Czech, which I just started. Stats: WIS 3 Grading: 8 hours of studying a week = A 6 = B 3 = C 2 = D Because my challenge goal is a week after this challenge officially ends and because week 1 has already started, the rest of week 1 will be a transition period. Meaning I will do it as good as I can and I will also grade it, but it will not count for the overall grading (Instead week 7 will). Now, lets see if I can overcome those obstacles and finally leave these crazy woods.....

Previously on Phoenix Burning.... I am currently on a year-long quest to run in all seven races of the Grand Prix series. Last challenge, I completed the first one: a 10K obstacle course race (OCR). The next race is in 3 weeks. It is another OCR, 5 miles this time, on a different course. Grand Prix Points earned: 5/35 Trifecta medal race completion: 1/3 Here are a couple of race previews: http://youtu.be/iQsu0f31FR4 http://youtu.be/vHG6NsqvRiY My race is somewhat awkwardly placed halfway through this challenge, so I my plan is to have three phases of training. Phase One: Rapel with Rapunzel (Weeks 0-2) I will maintain my previous workout schedule of three runs and three strength training days with a heavy focus on rope climbing skills (my most difficult obstacles from last race). Phase Two: Rest, Race, Recover (Weeks 3-4) Weeks three and four will be at 60% intensity as I taper for and recover from the race (March 14). Phase Three: Review my strategy and Return to the fight (Weeks 5-6) I will have another obstacle race in April (the last of the Trifecta), so I will go back to full-intensity training, making adjustments as necessary to address my weaknesses from the race.

Welcome to 2015, everyone! This year is going to be a big year for me as I face the Grand Prix, a series of seven races designed by Marines for Marines, and sometimes attempted by the rest of us. I have officially registered for the first race: the Xtreme Endurance Challenge, a 6-mile obstacle course race taking place on February 7. That means I have 5 weeks left to prepare. I have never attempted an obstacle race before, so I'm a bit nervous, but I think it will be okay. Some theme music before I elaborate on my goals: http://youtu.be/LBr7kECsjcQ Goal 1: I, I, I, I work out! Same goals as last challenge: 3 runs and 3 upper body workouts per week. Workouts are actually the easier part of the challenge for me, at least willpower-wise, so I'm combining this into one goal. 34-36 workouts - A 30-33 workouts - B < 30 workouts - F Goal 2: I don't eat what my food eats. I am going back to what worked best for me in the past. I am going wheat free, but allowing other grains (which I don't eat all that often, anyway). I am allowing that life happens (progress not perfection), but I don't want to make weekly allowances since I tend to be the type of person that "if you give me an inch, I'll take a mile". I downloaded a habit tracker to make it extremely simple to see how I am doing (It has shiny graphs and everything). I like seeing streaks and high numbers, so I'm hopeful this will keep me on track. 90-100% wheat free - A 80-89% wheat free - B <80% wheat free - F Goal 3: I Stay on Target I recognize that a big part of the diet battle is mental, so I need to take action to stay focused and not implode. This will be a two-part goal: a) Spend at least 5 minutes a day meditating on what I want from myself, or reading/listening/watching to motivational material During certain times, I need more carbs to keep my sanity. I will alternate each two weeks either easing off carbs or buffing my carbs (with an extra 1-2 servings of fruit or starchy vegetables) according to the, um, moon. I will eat at least 26g of protein in the morning within one hour of getting out of bed. This will help me balance my blood sugar and serotonin levels for the day. Oorah!

new to the forums, but was wondering if anyone else is racing So Cal Spartin in Janurary? I'll be doing the Beast on on Jan 17, the super on jan 24th, and the sprint on jan 25th! Same location in temecula as tough mudder normally is. Had lots of fun at the sprint last year, would love to meet up with others after the race. Also would be interested in creating a team for the super/sprint if anyone wanted to join!