Omak Warrior Stampede 2012

Going for a "tough girl" look...came out with a "there's something in my eye" look instead.

I went...I conquered...I found my "inner warrior". 

Today I competed in the 2nd Annual Omak Warrior Stampede here in our very own adjacent town of Omak, WA.

 Now, while these types of "warrior" races are popping up all over the country, THIS race has something NO OTHER VENUE does. "Suicide Hill" followed by a swim across the Okanogan River, then directly into the stadium for the last 2 obstacles.  It was seriously intense.
 

Photo of Suicide Hill taken from the stadium by Rob

I decided months ago that I wanted to do this race.  Why not, right?  It's only a 3+ mile run and a few obstacles. "It doesn't matter that I really haven't been running a lot lately.  I can do it."

I tried to recruit to no avail.  Instead, I got a lot of "maybe next year" 's and "try it out for me and let me know" 's.  "Alright then....I'll do it alone." 

As the summer wore on I only went running a few times.  I was so busy teaching aerobics at the church 3 times a week and having fun with my new ZUMBA fitness game that I just didn't make the time.  "That's okay", I thought.  "I'll do it anyway" (yep...get that from my dad, remember?).

So I FINALLY signed up for it on Monday of this week and went for a 5 mile run on Tuesday (complete with several high knees, hills, and butt kick exercises) in a final lame attempt to "train" for this thing.  Hah.....  First of all, the run just about killed me....and second....NOTHING could have prepared me for these obstacles. 

There were ten of them, each put together by one of the race sponsers.

"Barbarian Barracade":  4 chest high barriers interspersed with low lying barbed wire.  Over the barrier, under the wire.

Apple bins:  4 waist high, water filled apple bins loaded onto a flat bed trailer.  Climb up onto the trailer, climb in and out of the bins (get soaking wet), slide down a long slide to get off trailer, and biff it at the end....just like everyone else.  

"Knee High Hades":  Tire Runs, climb over a heaping tower of tires, and more tire runs.  Whew!

"Hay Fever":  A series of hay bales to climb over including a 3 story pyramid.  Exhausting...and itchy.  I tried pulling some quirky ninja moves and was complimented on my "grace" by one of the volunteers.  Ha ha ha!

picture taken by Rob just as I passed the first water station just passed "Hay Fever"

"Junker Jump":  Climbing up and over, and up and over, 6 cars with VERY little room for recovery.  UGH!  But I had a bit of fun with this one.  There was a photographer in the 5th car filming the contestants.  I got right up next to the windshield and made, what I hope turned out to be, an authentic warrior scowl (as in super ugly) complete with "battle cry".  I seriously hope I get to see that footage later. 

"Warrior Wall":  After ascending a long, steep hill we were immediately required to climb up and over a ladder type wooded wall.  Holy Cow!  It took me a while to catch my breath after this one.  This was the FIRST time in the race I just about tossed my cookies.

"Black Out":  Nearing the home stretch we had to drop down into a 15 yard (or so) underground tunnel.  The top was sealed off with wood boards (which I was grateful for...I thought it was going to be completely constructed of dirt) and the ends were tarped off, making it very dark in there.  I was crawling at a moderate pace but heard someone coming up behind me.  I thought they were gaining on me and I couldn't let that happen.  So I sped up. 

"Suicide Hill":  By far the funnest part of the course.  A 225 foot, 66% grade,  soft dirt (thank you horses) Hill.  I was exhausted by this point and worried that my legs were going to buckle at any given moment, but I didn't care. I ran down that sucker, hoopen' and hollerin' the whole way.  It was exhilarating.  

(Because of camera malfunctions, Rob didn't actually get ME coming down the hill but shot a few people coming down after me ,once he lost sight of me in the river)


Then on to the most grueling part of the race (for me).

"River Run":  The Okanogan River.  The current was very swift, and it get's deep so fast that you can't touch the bottom.  I didn't even try at first.  I plunged in and took off.  There was a split second, after less than a dozen strokes, that I reminded myself of how horrible of a swimmer I am and wondered if I would make it.  "What if I can't do it?"  I remember thinking.  But I wasn't about to just give up.  I closed my eyes and focused on swinging one arm after another.  I tried to get in a few kicks here and there but my legs were just SO tired and weighed down by my shoes.  The current was so fast it would cause my legs to criss-cross anyway.  When I could finally touch on the other side, I tried to stand up and wade through it but the current was still too fast.  It knocked me over several times but I just kept going.  I was SURE the 4-5 people who were right behind me, before the hill, were going to catch up but when I looked back, I realized they were still in the river.  I wanted to shout for joy but was too busy trying to stop my head from spinning and swallowing down the bile that was crawling up my throat.  Yeah...that was the SECOND time during the race I almost vomited.

At this point I was so beat.  The river bank on the other side was almost more than I could bare.  I wasn't sure I had anything left.  I struggled with myself for a second, because I NEVER allow myself to stop and walk during a run, but eventually gave in.  For just a few seconds, I allowed myself to walk up the hill...take a few steps on flat ground....and then, once my head cleared....I started jogging again.  VERY, VERY SLOWLY.

As I headed toward the stadium...and the last two obstacles ("Muddy Mayhem" and "Warrior Roast")...I made a decision.  I was either going to give it my all...or die trying (which didn't seem like such a foreign concept at the time).  I just couldn't give up.

I heard my children cheering just before I rounded the gate into the stadium and it gave me the energy boost I needed to keep going.  I picked up my pace and finished the race with all the energy I had left.  I even found enough energy to add in my "Family Circus signature move" (In your honor DAD!)....The Cartwheel!  See for yourself...



I thought I was pretty close to the front of the pack but really had no idea how I'd done.  As I crossed the finish line, the volunteer told me that I was the FIRST GIRL to finish.

NOW THAT FELT AWESOME!!!!

Turns out there were only 3 men head of me too.
  
I couldn't believe it.  I mean, WOW!  4th in my heat....never would have guessed it.

It's always amazing to me what you can do when you put your mind to it.

When I would feel myself slowing down, or mentally getting tired, I would repeat to myself things like, "You're okay."  "You can do it."  "Just keep going."  "One foot in front of the other."  Once I even yelled to myself (in my head, of course) "YOU ARE A WARRIOR!"  Me, myself, and I had a good outward chuckle about that one.   I'm sure anyone near thought I was delusional or suffering from heat stroke.  Ha ha ha!!!

In the end...I'm so glad I did it.  What an experience!

Post Race with the kiddos

Next year, I think maybe I'll even train for it.

Can't wait to see the final results posted tonight.