OCR World Championships ... REALLY ... Is it really TRUE ...

Sat on the first flight back to Australia and reflecting back on the last week, everything just seems so surreal.  It still doesn't fell like we were actually there, America, competing in the World Championships.  Seriously!! I have totally made that up, as it really can't be true, but it is... If anyone would have told me this 10 years ago what I would have been doing over the last few days, I would have told them where to go and they must be mistaken me for someone else, as I continue to smoke my cigarettes and drink my pint.

This whole trip has been one of the most memorabilble and unbelievable trips in which I could have only dreamed of.  I loved each and every moment, now I wish i could do it all again.

Maybe I didnt place as high as I would have liked to, nor did I complete all the obstacles, ideally I would have finished still with my OCR band still in tact, but hey I have to remember where I had come, and the achievements and hurdles that have been conquered this year.

The thought of actually being able to do the simplest of obstacles, used to send shivers down my spine, from monkey bars, climbing walls, rope climbs and especially the rope traverse.

During the OCRWC race I completed obstacles that I never ever thought possible, most I had never even seen before never mind actually tried!.  I have to be proud of my achievements and just work harder to getting and completing the next set of obstacles.  The OCR Worlds really did highlight a few of my weaknesses (which if Im honest I already knew that I would possibly fail, especially knowing that these are not my strongest skills sets, but I know now what I need to work on, and I know that if I qualify next year, I will be better and stronger.  

I would never have thought I was good enough to be part if the Australia team, especially when it took me double the time to complete the course compared to some of them.  This was such an amazing opportunity and one I would have never have said no to, I don't know if and when I will ever have a chance like this again, I hope with some hard work and dedication that the opportunity will present itself again.

I hope that I can inspire others to be sporty and know that everyone can do it.  That it really doesn't matter how old, unfit or slow you are, if you fail or cannot do something, but that giving enough, strength, grit and determination you will get there...

I did underestimate the severe difficulty of the course, the terrain, hills and obstacles and I personally thought that it would take me about 3 1/2 hours to complete, and was truly surprised that it did take me an additional 2 hours.  Time had no concept and I think I just got completely lost in the moments in and around the course.  There is nothing I would change, even  the obstacles that I failed.

​I had an amazing experience, and went into it with the most positive attitude and still came out smiling.  I loved every moment of every minute, the people, the course, the obstacles.  It truly is something that will be embedded in me for the rest of my life...