Scrolling down my Facebook feed and I come crossed this sponsored post. Those two people filling the ethnic minority gap for Spartan Race look familiar....
(Image from last year's Spartan Sprint).
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Without doubt the Berlin Double Marathon weekend was the pinnacle of the year. I finally achieved a sub 1:30 skate marathon time as well as accomplishing my first ever run marathon. The training was tough both physically and mentally. Along the way I also completed a bunch of other new races, including a number of other double event weekends and even had time to design a medal for one of the events. I lost a GoPro but got this massive medal holder. (I still would have preferred my camera). This has been an action packed year that has ended with me enrolling in yoga. Whilst I've dabbled with yoga with friends before, I'm now enjoying actual classes and the contrast it gives to my usual sporting activies. I've already signed up for a few obstacle events next year. For me it was disappointing to see that some events, namely Nuclear and Nuts Challenge have increased their "early bird," prices by £30 on top of what it was this time last year! (I'll be skipping them this year). There are quite a few other events to keep me busy besides anyway. Overall 2016 will be a little low key than this year, but the absence of marathon training should mean I can focus my energy on other things! 2015 events that gave finishing mementos: The Nuts Challenge (2 laps) ; Dirty Dozen (London South); Electric Run (London); Urban Ninja (Tooting Bec); Tower of London Run (10k); Spartan Race (Allianz Park); Nuclear Rush (6k); Tough Mudder (Midlands); London River Rat Race; Dublin Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon; London Inline (half) Marathon; Run to the Beat (Wembley); Berlin Inline Marathon; Berlin Run Marathon. We're in a strange era of time where our computing devices, applications and commercial companies are actively encouraging us to take 'selfies.' I can see a spectrum of people ranging from the narcissist to the people who loath social media.
Today however I'm in the pro camera camp. I think it's such a useful tool to be able to capture what you're doing and go back and review your progress. Earlier this year I took part in Urban Ninja where one of the obstacles was the Salmon Ladder. A chin up bar which required you shift the pole up the ridges. I failed. However upon editing the video I discovered I was a lot closer to achieving the task than I initially thought. In the above picture I got the height, but was lacking the correct trajectory. This gives me a little self confidence, a motivational boost as well as some feedback as to how I can improve for next time.
I won't go over everything, but here are some of the most memorable parts of the event: The obstacles looked spruced up, branding was prominent and less rustic than last year. I do think there should have been a solid platforms to get in and out of all obstacles. Some obstacles required you to land on the inflatable pool edge which gave us some inevitable comedy moments.
The London River Rat Race is an actual 'London,' based event (at the Excel Exhibition Centre) unlike many others which claim to be. For people based in and around London this is a definite plus instead of trekking into the countryside, also minus additional train and taxi fares. For a wet muddless 10k this is your event. See 2014 review. #LondonRiverRatRacers
#LondonRRR
I like Tough Mudder as an event experience but one of my biggest gripes is the fact they add all these extra fees where they can. On the plus this year is that photos are now free. I think they realise that photos circulate on social media for free advertising of their event. More photos and videos coming soon......
Nuclear Races is the unsung event that the un-mudified person has not heard of. The event was top notch and offered such an array of obstacles. Voted by Mudstacle in 2014 for Best Event for Obstacles, Best Event for Mud and Best All Round Event. We can see why. #lovemud I setup a group of three mud newbies for this race. As it was their first obstacle race they only agreed to do the shorter 6km course. We were on course for two and a half hours which is pretty intense for their first outing! Taxis. We had a bit of a hard time finding a taxi firm that would take us. Avoid the grumpy ones by Epping. Use Trebble Twenty: 01277 20 20 20. NoPro. Looks like I won't be making a video for this event. Unfortunately my GoPro went missing as I went after a rubber duck to win a prize. I've left my details with Nuclear but that area was a super muddy pond and up to my chest. Below however I've tried to make light of the situation with a comic parody of the scenario.
Today we did the Spartan Race - Sprint at Allianz Park, London. It did feel a little strange returning there after the Zombie Evacuation Race was held at the same location. I was half expecting some undead to pounce around the corner. The Sprint is the shortest distance that Spartan Race has to offer. I'm definitely up for experiencing their longer distances in the future.
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"Any tips, reviews and advice are my own opinions and are not to be taken as professional view points. The information on this site is what has worked for me and is here for guidance only, but I hope you gain insight into the various activities I partake in." Jonathan Chen Archives
December 2019
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