Obstacle Racers, Assemble! [CLOSED]

[Charlie_Quinn]

 

OBSTACLE COURSE RACING (OCR) FANATICS

Welcome! This group is for anyone who is training for an OCR, is interested in participating in an OCR in the future, or are just plain obsessed with obstacle racing!

 

 This is place for us to all talk incessantly about OCR, share tips on training, ask advice about gear obstacle technique, or even just let everyone know about your latest OCR or Mud Run. 

Pop your name and current challenge or battle log link on the sheet below so we can cheer each other on in our quest for OCR glory.

Accountability Sheet

 

[Charlie_Quinn]

Lets start off with some introductions.

Let us know what race (or races) you are preparing for and what races, if any, you've done previously. If you've done too many races to list, you don't have to list them all! Maybe just let us know what was your most epic or memorable race.

 

And for a bit of fun, what's everyone's favorite obstacle and what obstacle do you loathe?

If you are preparing for your first ever race, what obstacle are you most looking forward to doing and what are you not looking forward to doing and why? 

 

I've been taking part in OCR's regularly for, I think, about 2 years now. I've got lots of races coming up, but the main one I'm preparing for is Rat Race Dirty Weekend in May, a 20 miler. I've never done that distance before, so I'm a little nervous! I've done too many races in the past to list them all, but my favorite race was probably Dirty Dozen Race in Wales last year, as that's the race where I first conquered the monkey bars. 

 

My favorite obstacle is probably walls. Any kind of walls, straight or inverted. Mostly because it feels so bad-ass when I get myself over one without any help! The obstacle I hate the most is anything with a high drop into water. I've got used to the slides into water, but I've never been able to jump off a high platform into water. It's something I hope to get over this year.

[Rhovaniel]

Never done an OCR before, but I do, at some point in the not too distant future, want to take part in OCRs, and I do have a 2 day Special Forces style course coming up in April which, if I'm reading the guidelines right, I should be training for the same way as an OCR. Honestly, not sure what to expect, or what obstacles I'll face, so I'm sort of terrified and excited in equal measure by all of it...  

 

 

[Rhovaniel]

The spreadsheet seems to be set at view only, so I sent an edit request, hope that's ok

 

[Kestrel Grey]

Hurray for all things OCR! Thanks for setting this up CQ.

 

I ran my first OCR last fall, a Tough Mudder. So far I am signed up for another Tough Mudder this June, a Rugged Maniac in July, and I have my eye on three others depending on schedules and finance. It's like crack, one taste and you're hooked for life.

[Charlie_Quinn]

9 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

The spreadsheet seems to be set at view only, so I sent an edit request, hope that's ok

 

 

That's fine. I fixed it last night when I got your edit request so it should work for everyone now.

[Miw_Sher]

Boop!

 

I'll make a more relevant post later.

 

Inviato dal mio SM-G930F utilizzando Tapatalk

 

 

[jonfirestar]

Woot!

 

I've not done an OCR before but I did find myself signing up to Tough Mudder this May so I'm training hard to do my very first Tough Mudder! Hope to learn from and support all you fine folks!

 

 

[Big_Show]

I did an Urban Rat Race in Stockton-On-Tees with a mate a few years back, and also the MH Survival of the Fittest in Edinburgh four years ago. Did them all solely from a runner's perspective.

 

Now I'm training for my first Tough Mudder in May - kinda nervous about any kind of monkey bars and/or wall! Just managed to get my first pull-up, but really want to get a bit better at shifting my bodyweight using just my upper body by the time the race comes around!

[Mrs Van]

I've done two Muddy Princesses here in South Africa, which is beginners OCRs, mostly for fun and to support cancer. Female only I'm hoping to do the Impi Dash (5km) in May, but it has a lot of running and only a handful of obstacles. It is also a lot more difficult than the M.P. At the moment though I'm trying to inspire my two boys to get strong and fit, so I've adjusted my training to include them. Otherwise I just love everything OCR related.

[Maigs]

I did my first OCR, a local one called 5k The Hard Way, in 2013 and loved it. For some reason though I didn't do any more until last year. Then last year I did three mudruns (all local ones) and two inflatable OCR's (Insane Inflatable 5k and The Great Inflatable Race). I'm now hooked and am signed up for six OCRs, eyeing three more, as well as 4/5 trail runs.

 

My favorite obstacles are climbing ones, A-frames, tires walls, etc. Not surprising when you consider how much of my childhood was spent in a tree. I managed to do the monkey bars on my last mudrun last year but I'm nervous about the more complicated looking monkey bar-type obstacles in the bigger races I'm signed up for

[Mr_Willes]

 

 

Aaaah i'm gonna set up camp here, and get cozy, anyone a beer? Cause (StrongVikings) drink beer in Valhalla.

 

 

Started out with a Mudmasters 12K (7.5M) 2 years ago. Last year i did 2 StrongVikings, first was the beast version at 19K (12 Miles) and second one was a warrior version 13K (8M). For the beast i prepped properly, like about 4 challenges. And now i started adjusting my schedule to be able to do another StrongViking in May. I made reservations for the Toughest Amsterdam but since that won't be a NF-meetup i'm not attending that, i switched it up with the beast.

 

So for this year i want to do at least 2 StrongViking Beasts, and probably a little more smaller ones, but since i'm also pretty busy as a motorbike tourguide, attending 2 weekends and 2 weeks i need to see what will fit, both with planning days away from the family as budget wise...

 

Favourite obstacle... weighted walks, i love everyones reaction when i run past with a sandbag in my neck

Least favourtie... climbing ropes, my arms still needs work (goal this year will be to complete gunnors struggle).

 

 

 

It looks easier cause the stick has the tendency to roll your fingers loose, like hanging on a rotating bar. Last year i made it to 2/3's and without warning slipped off. Gonna introduce loaded carries and bar hangs for this in my workouts.

[DarK_RaideR]

Let us know what race (or races) you are preparing for and what races, if any, you've done previously. If you've done too many races to list, you don't have to list them all! Maybe just let us know what was your most epic or memorable race.

Previous OCRs: 5km Legion Run 2015 (My first evern Non competitive), Spartan Super 2016 (in Orte, Italy with @Slates) and a 2km race with various people attacking me during the 2016 IKMF Krav Maga Summer Camp.

Upcoming OCRs: Tough Mudder 2017 in Ireland, alongside @Jarric and @Miw_Sher.

 

And for a bit of fun, what's everyone's favorite obstacle and what obstacle do you loathe?

My favorite obstacles are usually climbing related. No 1 would have to be all sorts of monkey rings/bars because my grip is terrible and they're usually at the end of the race when I'm tired and they're smeared with mud from previous runners. Those are my nemesis and I almost cleared them in Orte 2016, falling at the very last one. I am to dominate those this year. The ones I hate are usually barb wire crawls. I'm comfortable with mud and dirt, but got some back issues that make long crawls ache. Plus I hate having to worry about my clothes getting caught in the wire and potentially torn.

 

 

[Charlie_Quinn]

1 hour ago, Maigahane said:

I managed to do the monkey bars on my last mudrun last year but I'm nervous about the more complicated looking monkey bar-type obstacles in the bigger races I'm signed up for

 

I'm a little nervous about these too. A lot of races are adding these really complicated rigs. Lots of grip and hanging practice needed!

 

1 hour ago, mr_willes said:

Least favourtie... climbing ropes, my arms still needs work (goal this year will be to complete gunnors struggle).

 

Have you tried the J hook technique for rope climbing? It puts all the work on your legs instead of your arms. Since learning this I've only failed one rope climb and that was because it was covered in mud.

 

Gunnors Struggle looks fun but tough. I'm sure I saw a video that had a grip strength training technique that involved using PVC piping on a rope so you could practicing gripping a spinning pole. If I can find it I'll post it here.

 

48 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Plus I hate having to worry about my clothes getting caught in the wire and potentially torn.

 

There's nothing worse than spending £60 on a fetch pair of compression leggings and then snagging them on barbed wire the first time you wear them.

[Big_Show]

 

There's nothing worse than spending £60 on a fetch pair of compression leggings and then snagging them on barbed wire the first time you wear them.

 

That's why I'm going for skimpy running shorts and a vest at most!

[ExpectJade]

19 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Lets start off with some introductions.

Let us know what race (or races) you are preparing for and what races, if any, you've done previously. If you've done too many races to list, you don't have to list them all! Maybe just let us know what was your most epic or memorable race.

 

And for a bit of fun, what's everyone's favorite obstacle and what obstacle do you loathe?

If you are preparing for your first ever race, what obstacle are you most looking forward to doing and what are you not looking forward to doing and why? 

Hey Guys!
At this moment i am prepping for the Strong viking, Mud, Hills, Water and Brother edition all 4 of them at a 19k distance. This would win me the Varjagen medal

Last year i participated in the strong viking Mud, Water and brother at 7K, 13k and 19k In the same order. So far i also have my eye on some spartan runs somewhere and a rat race. But these are for the future.

One of my favorite obstacles is the Fjord Drop. I loathe climbing walls simply because i can not lift myself. 
 

[RedStone]

HI!!! Perfect timing much? I've recently caught the OCR bug and don't have much knowledge about how to train for them, so I hope I can get some knowledge from ya'll! 

 

I'm already signed up for this Spartan Sprint in June (Boston), and am looking at this Warrior Dash in May.

 

Eager for more and very interested in finding people to get my race on with if anyone is in the tri-state north east USA area!

[iatetheyeti]

I very much approve of this  

 

21 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Let us know what race (or races) you are preparing for and what races, if any, you've done previously. If you've done too many races to list, you don't have to list them all! Maybe just let us know what was your most epic or memorable race.

 

Welp, none yet, but I am signed up for a Spartan Sprint in late July, so we'll see how that goes!

 

21 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

If you are preparing for your first ever race, what obstacle are you most looking forward to doing and what are you not looking forward to doing and why? 

 

Weirdly enough, despite my bad, bad relationship with the cold, I'm looking forward to any watery obstacles that may crop up. At least a good chunk of that I can say I've done in one way or another before, so I'd like to think I'd sail through those ones (no pun intended...?). I'm not looking forward to the rope climb. I have no way to practise outside of watching videos on technique, so I'm basically going into it without having practised. Should be fun!

 

[EricMN]

Hey y'all.

 

22 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Lets start off with some introductions.

Let us know what race (or races) you are preparing for and what races, if any, you've done previously. If you've done too many races to list, you don't have to list them all! Maybe just let us know what was your most epic or memorable race.

So, I got into this after @Teros attempted a Spartan Sprint outside Boston. He thought it was a failure. I thought it was an epic triumph and it prompted me to grow a pair and attempt Hard Things. I entered the Spartan Sprint in Illinois in September of 2014 and promptly got hooked.

 

I've done a bunch of Obstacle Course races since. Most epic race was the Killington, Vermont Spartan Beast last September. The course clocked in at over 16 miles and 30+ obstacles with more than 4,000 feet in elevation change. 

 

This year I'm trying to up my game. I'd like to qualify as an age-group competitor for the OCR World Championships. My main two qualifier races will be Savage Race in Illinois in July and Conquer the Gauntlet in Iowa a week later.

 

22 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

And for a bit of fun, what's everyone's favorite obstacle and what obstacle do you loathe?

Obstacles are fun. Running is not. Hills are really not. Mountains can do directly to hell. My favorites are the monkey bars and anything that requires grip strength. Barbed Wire is not my favorite because the preferred technique is rolling and due to inner ear issues, I have become so dizzy that I was physically ill more than once, such as during the quarter-mile of barbed wire near the end of the Montana Spartan Race course the past two years. No thank you.

[Jarric]

Hi all. My first race was a local independent called Warrior Run in October last year.

 

This year I'll be doing Warrior Run again in April, Tough Mudder Ireland with @DarK_RaideR and @Miw_Sher, hopefully Barrel of Laps with @Charlie_Quinn and @jonfirestar (is this still a thing guys) and whatever else I can afford/make it to - maybe one of the London ones.

 

My favorite obstacle is probably hang tough rings, the technique feels really cool and they make me feel like a gladiator! I've never done a barbed wire crawl, but having read this thread it is now my most dreaded obstacle!

[Charlie_Quinn]

2 hours ago, Jarric said:

hopefully Barrel of Laps with @Charlie_Quinn and @jonfirestar (is this still a thing guys)

 

I still want to make this a thing! The only thing delaying me booking this is you have to pay for the whole team entry up front, you can't just set up a team and have people join it separately. I'm happy to book and have people give me the cash when they can, but I've had a few big things to pay for this month so I need to wait for my funds to replenish. 

 

2 hours ago, Jarric said:

I've never done a barbed wire crawl, but having read this thread it is now my most dreaded obstacle!

 

Just keep your butt low and you won't get snagged. Like Eric said, you can roll through, but then you have to decide if the time saved is worth the dizziness afterwards. I do like to roll, though. It makes me feel like a kid again and being dizzy and trying to run is always funny.  

[Big_Show]

 

Hi all. My first race was a local independent called Warrior Run in October last year.

 

This year I'll be doing Warrior Run again in April, Tough Mudder Ireland with @DarK_RaideR and @Miw_Sher, hopefully Barrel of Laps with @Charlie_Quinn and @jonfirestar (is this still a thing guys) and whatever else I can afford/make it to - maybe one of the London ones.

 

My favorite obstacle is probably hang tough rings, the technique feels really cool and they make me feel like a gladiator! I've never done a barbed wire crawl, but having read this thread it is now my most dreaded obstacle!

 

When and where is the Barrel of Laps? This sounds intriguing.

[Charlie_Quinn]

48 minutes ago, Big_Show said:

 

 

 

When and where is the Barrel of Laps? This sounds intriguing.

 

Barrel of Laps - It's the 28th of July, in Buckingham, just past Aylesbury and you are more than welcome to join us.

 

It's as many laps as you can manage carrying a 4.3kg barrel. It's a team event so if someone in the team wants to skip a few laps or drop out, it doesn't matter as long as someone is still going around the course with the barrel.

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention, BEER FESTIVAL!

[Big_Show]

 

Barrel of Laps - It's the 28th of July, in Buckingham, just past Aylesbury and you are more than welcome to join us.

 

It's as many laps as you can manage carrying a 4.3kg barrel. It's a team event so if someone in the team wants to skip a few laps or drop out, it doesn't matter as long as someone is still going around the course with the barrel.

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention, BEER FESTIVAL!

 

Oh damn, that sounds like so much fun but unfortunately I'm already booked up for July!

 

Incidentally, there will be a nerdy trip to the Great British Beer Festival in August if anyone fancies it?

[Jarric]

2 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

I still want to make this a thing! The only thing delaying me booking this is you have to pay for the whole team entry up front, you can't just set up a team and have people join it separately. I'm happy to book and have people give me the cash when they can, but I've had a few big things to pay for this month so I need to wait for my funds to replenish. 

 

Ok, cool. I think I might have 5 coming from my way (including me) so it might be easier if I get it on credit card and do the collection if you're happy?

 

 

1 hour ago, Big_Show said:

Incidentally, there will be a nerdy trip to the Great British Beer Festival in August if anyone fancies it?

 

Always fancy a beer festival! Will have to see how I'm fixed nearer the time.