Tuxedo Spartan Sprint Race Report - and life up to it

Third place is nothing to turn one's nose up at.  With so many great athletes that have come into the sport, only 3 of us cross the finish line in those coveted podium spots.   Forth place could have easily happened in this race.  If I knew that I had been at my peak fitness or that I had given all I was physically able to do, I would be thrilled.  But I've had a few set backs lately that have definitely had an impact on my training. 

My last race was 2 months ago in Las Vegas, and I had managed to snag the top of the podium.  Even though the competition was fierce I was able to push my body after getting off obstacles to a decent running pace.  Physically I was where I wanted to be - Mentally I was where I wanted to be. 

And then I ran into some bad luck. 

One week later, in the 2nd WOD of a Crossfit competition, I managed to get a minor case of Rhabdo in my quad (Vastus Lateralis).  Yes folks, here's TyAnn apparently pushing beyond her limits and getting herself in trouble - again.  I'm really hating to admit this because so many people already think I am crazy, insane, etc without this little nugget. 
But for me, pushing beyond my limit feels exactly like pushing up to my limit.  Honestly I can't tell the difference.  I didn't feel worse than a hard workout while performing it.  Afterwards it felt like I had ran a marathon on the one leg.


Sorry - I know it's gross

So a few weeks of decreased intensity and minimal running was enough to take me down a couple notches.  And then I managed to get a Staph infection in that same leg in a little spot that my fingernail had accidently cut while massaging.  Add in 2 rounds of antibiotics to kill my athletic performance while trying to come back.  With my immune system down I caught a cold the week of the race.``


As I stood at that starting line in New York, I was mentally ready to go, but really wondering how my body was going to respond.  I just didn't know.  But as always, I was going to give it what I had. 
The race had been preceded by interviews with the NBC crew and lots of pressure.  I was surprised (and happy) that I wasn't really affected by it.    I was just there to prove that I was still strong, still fast, and could still perform.

Tuxedo Park is a ski resort - So the course was as one would expect.  Straight up, then straight down.

The first running bit was uphill, and soon after the send off, I knew I was in trouble.  I was not bouncing up the hill like I normally do, I was fighting.  I was trying not to walk.   I knew this was going to be 4.5 miles of pure pain.

I tried to stay with Rose and Amelia, but my body just wasn't ready that day.  I was so out of breath already and I just couldn't go.  I was able to gain quite a bit of ground away from rest of the pack however, so that pressure wasn't really there for the first part.   

There were a few new obstacles including monkey bars that were different levels.  I had to get a good swing going to get to one of the high ones.  We also got to try out cargo net monkey bars - A lot more challenging then I expected!

About halfway into the course, I had somewhat caught Amelia as she had fallen off of the cargo monkey bars and had to burpee out.  We then had to do a "fun" combination of obstacles that started with the Hercules Hoist, right into the inverted wall, into one of the worst barbed wire sections I've ever suffer through..  It was uphill (dare I say 100 yds or so) and not very wet.  I never realized how much better mud felt.  Dry, rocky, and low - I was feeling pukey going through it.  I could see Amelia about 30 sec ahead on the barbed wire crawl. 

Nasty Barbed Wire Crawl

Brilliantly placed, the spear throw came right after that lovely bit.  Hands were muddy, and we were exhausted.  Both Rose and Amelia missed theirs, and I really wanted to snag that 2nd place away from Amelia.  The hay bales were smaller than normal, and it was uphill which was a new.  My spear went slightly to the right of the target.  CRAP!  I started on my 30 burpees.

April came in next, and thankfully missed hers.  I had 10 burpees left.  And Orla's spear goes in.  She ran off in 3rd place.

I didn't know how much race was left - a mile or so.  If there is one thing I've learned in obstacle racing, its that you can't ever give up in these races until you cross the finish line.  There just may be something that works out in your favor.  I ran down the next hill to the rope climb and tried to get through as fast as I could.  April was ready to go up as I was getting out and Orla was about 30 yds ahead.  But she was walking the hill.  This was my chance!

I knew this was the last of the race, so I tried to run that hill as fast as I could.  We reached the traverse wall together, and I risked falling off for a fast crossing.  It worked out and I ran up the last hill into the woods.  I couldn't see my competitors anymore and I gave it everything I had left to gain some more ground.  I crossed the finish line with plenty of time to spare!

For anyone that really knows me, this just fuels my competitive fire for the next race.  I'm hungry for more, and to get the gains I had back.  I decided to hire a running coach that can help me get there quickly.  I'm going to do the little things that make a difference - more sleep and a focus on recovery.

It was quite the experience to be a part of the beginning of the growth of the sport.  NBC did an amazing job and were all in.  There were cameras everywhere throughout the race.  The pre and post race interviews were extremely professional, and I can just see how it is all going to unfold to look amazing.  If the sport takes off, then I'll have been at the starting line of it all.  The experience was surreal and will be one I won't forget.