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What better way to start off your weekend by first heading up to Glengarry, thanks to Jenny and Paul for putting up with us for the night and for being such amazing hosts. It made it a lot easier to get to the event in the morning, and was such a great location. The bonfire and stars just added to the experience, plus the unexpected pasta dinner on arrival.
Summit Survivor
I think we took it for granted that we weren't that far away, so took our time getting up and ready and then realised we still had to get to the event, park and register, so what was supposed to be a nice relaxed morning, turned into something a little more frantic, especially as we weren't 100% sure on where we were going. Opps
We did actually make it with a little time to spare, but no one thought to mention about the hike to the event after parking, as we were in such a rush i ended up leaving half the stuff that I usually have in the car, which you only realise you've done when your on the hunt for it, when your half naked getting changed after the event.
Getting ready at the start line, we noticed that fashionable late Clem and Allyson from The Compound were not there yet, I think they just like the additional push by turning up late. I guess it works for them, as they always catch up, and it wasn't long until Clem had overtaken me and Allyson was soon after.
The Summit is a short 5km course with 36 obstacles, but I was conscious of the fact that I was running city2sea the following day as well as doing the stair climb, so I was really pushing as hard as I could have. I wanted to enjoy it and not stress about placing, also to minimise any possibilities of any potential injuries. This of course did not happen when I managed to roll my ankle not long into the course.
I went around again with the beautiful Compound Chicks, as well as Allyson, Clem and Michael P, as always having a little bit more fun with it. There is a definite change when you do go around again, as you are all experiences it and having fun with it, when you race on your own, your own your own and no one else to share it with ;( Now I try to enjoy it as much as possible, and race for myself and against no one else. I also felt a little guilty on the second lap, as Dave had a little visit to the first aid tent after he hit his ribs against one of the obstacles that was similar to the Sternum Checker at the Worlds. There wasn't a lot I could do, until he got checked out and cleared. Unfortunately with the rush of getting there in the morning, Dave heading off to first aid and me setting off for another run, I forgot the camera. It wasn't even forgotten in my bag that I took with me, but in the car, so I couldn't take any photos on the second round, instead I had to steal them for The Summit website ;( Hopefully it will help with the explanation of the obstacles.
Dave did catch up with us as the Spectators areas, apart from a little battered and bruised, everything seemed ok. Will have to keep an eye out, but it doesn't look like an broken ribs, the worst part would be, even if he had, there really isn't a lot that can be done about it. I was more worried that he would end up over doing and pushing a little too hard especially with the numerous amount of events we have over the next few months.
Claustrophobic Cage
They weren't kidding, the first time I think I had a little panic moment trying to crawl under. It was such a weird feeling, but with the rush of people and the shock of the cold water, it was bound to happen. The cage really did seem like it just kept on going and I couldn't wait to get out. The next time round it wasn't as bad, as I juts kept myself up and went a little slower, so the water didn't have a chance to rush around me.
Muddy Mountain
Climbing up a small side of a rocky/muddy face, with rope. A quick clamber up, plus it was easy enough to find your footings within the face.
Foam Pit
Down a fireman's pole and into a foam pit, you may as well jump jumped in, as you couldn't really grip hold of the pole with your hands all wet and slippery.
A Frame Fury
The name probably says it all, climbing up 5 wooden beams which is set up and over an A Frame.
Cliff Hanger
A few walls set up that you had to traverse along with a variety of difficulty levels, the expert one had no foot holds (wasn't quite ready to attempt this one), so I went with the one that was the most similar to what was at The Compound, remember to 'hug the wall' to stop any possibilities of imbalances.
Tyre Hang
This had about 5 hanging tyres that you needed to get across, the second time round was definitely a lot smoother than the first, feeling I had a little more control with momentum on the second attempt.
Logger Haul
First impressions would be a log carry, but this was more of a tyre drag. I didnt even think about actually just picking it up and running with it until I saw some pictures.
Commando Cable Reels
Using the wooden blocks up the side, you needed to climb up and over the reels, I was grateful that they actually had some sort of foot hold so you could actually get yourself up and over. The second time round, Ponts (Michael) was saying about climbing up both sides, getting your foot hold on one side and then on the other, and walking up using both sides (this is so much easier to demonstrate then to explain), for me it was a little harder as I have smaller legs so the reach was a little longer, at least I got a good stretch with it, as I practically was doing the splits as I tried to clamber my way up. I love having these opportunities to get to try and do the obstacles, and to also get other peoples perspectives, that may help you over for next time.
Tyre Wall
Climbing up and over the tyre, which was probably made of about 4 tyres high. The next block of sections was all about the tyres.
Tyre Jump
Next up was the first set of tyre jumps, similar to the sternum checker, you needed to get up and over, try and hit it with your hips, or just try and jump over like any other wall. Not so simple, i'm afraid and would have to say I probably cheated on this a little as I actually climbed over instead of jumped over, getting a footing inside the tyre and using the wooden reel that was holding the tyres.
Tyre Roller
Pushing yourself through a tyre tunnel, with the tyres above crushing you down. I always find that if I go length ways and then use my legs to propel myself along and through has always been the easiest option. The hardest part is getting through it initially but once you can get a rhythm you can just about squeeze through it.
The Wringer
The second tyre jump was definitely a lot harder than the first as it was a little bit higher. This is also the one that Dave managed to crack his ribs on, having some height here I think would have been advantageous as well as having that additional spring in your jump, which for me I don't have either.
Cargo Climber
A small net that you had to climb up and over, on the second round was another opportunity to practice all those things you don't normally have a chance too, including flipping over the top. I really need to start doing this more, although I haven't quite worked out if this is quicker or not. In theory it should be quicker as your not actually climbing over the top of it but flipping over it.
Spiders Web
You had to weave yourself through a bunch of lines, of course you get taught the best way of doing it the next time round. Don't weave through it but roll under it, so once Allyson demonstrated, you went aarrggghh of course. This is also where Clem caught up with me, since he was so fashionably late.
| Adrenalin Rush This one was so much fun, plus as an adult its always fun to play on a blown up obstacle course. Probably not so much an obstacle course, but trying to squeeze through the tunnel which is obviously designed for children. The Elephant Up a wooden pole and across and net, and then down the trunk of a tin slide. If your not careful you would catch your butt on the connection. Also on the way down you, had to endure you bent your knees to take the impact of the landing. |  |
Leap of Faith
Jumping over the a pit of water and trying to land on a net, you wanted to get as high as possible without landing in the water. This again is a lot easier said then done, if you landed in the water, it just made it that little bit harder to climb up, but once you got your footings, it was just like climbing any other normal net. Once on the top and you traverses along the net, you then made your way down another fireman pole.
Mud Mounds
Not quite the same as Mudderella, especially when you can see all the mosquitoes and midges flying all around the mud infested waters. Apart from the smell and the insects, you could easily run through the knee deep water and up and over the mounds.
Duck and Dive
Up and under the walls, no major high walls to jump over and you just rolled underneath (3 over and 3 under).
Barbed and Dangerous
Crawling under some barbed wire whilst crawling through all the mud. It wasn't that bad on the first round as there wasn't that many that have gone through it, the second time, the mud was a little bit more churned, there was definitely more mud involved.
Wipeout Wall
Straight after crawling under the barbed wire, you hit the wall, so you were nice and wet and slippery. You did have a rope to help you up, and the Icebugs did hold there grip whilst getting up and over.
Trauma Tunnels
You had choice of a teeny tiny claustrophobic tunnel or a larger one that you could easily climb through, in which I choose the larger one. For some reason at this event, the smallest of fears were kicking in, not really sure why but I was just having those moments.
Walk the Plank
Balance across a plank of wood to the other side, over some more muddy water. First time round easy enough, second time round, actually slipped off at the end.
Cargo Hang Man
 | Why oh why did I think that I could monkey arm across the net, I knew I should have used my legs for extra stability, but no I had to try it. As soon as you grab hold you literally move the net down so its actually harder to get to the next one. So no surprise I lost grip and fell, in the process of falling into the water, I hit the button and rolled my ankle (this is not the best thing to do when you have a 15km run the following day, and of course is the one thing I was desperately trying to avoid). It was then a slow burpee time, as I couldn't jump on the ankle, it was also the time I caught up with Clem, who had also fallen off and was doing some burpee penalties. |
Lesson learnt and of course the second time I actually used my feet to get across, in which I did make it across (I should have done this the first time round, but now have definitely learnt my lesson).
Lumberjack Wall
A high wall that you had to get over, I found out later that most people went through the top section instead of going over the top. The hard part was getting back down, you couldn't jump (especially with a rolled ankle) as more than likely I would have rolled it again. The logs were a little too far apart for my short legs, so I had to hang and drop to each one. It was a lot more slippy than it was in the morning, so you had to hold on a little tighter.
See Saws
Another balance beam, but it was a see sore as you walked down you needed to have that balance to push it down on the other side.
Bridge Breakdance
Across a wire crossing through the damn, you did have some additional hand holds so you could keep your balance. The only thing was that you could see where you were putting your feet so it would have been easy to misjudge and fall, but as long as you put one foot in front of the other you were fine. The second lap, saw a few more people at this obstacle so making it a little bit more difficult by bouncing up and down on the wire.
Tyre Mountain
I think from now on I am just going to run on top of the tyres instead of through them, there doesn't seem to be any real rules on how you actually conquer these obstacles so for me it makes more sense to go on top, rather than try and find my footholes especially with little legs.
Burrow like a Beaver
Weirdly another freak out moment, when I didnt actually want to do this obstacle, especially if I couldn't see the end. Again not sure why I had that moment of doubt, so it took me a few seconds to compose myself, only then to realise you can actually see the other end and it wasn't that bad. However it did look that at some stage the centre will collapse inwards, horrible feeling so the best way through it, is to get through it as quickly as possible.
Super Swinger
There seems to be an ongoing theme of water pits during this course, so you really just had to pretend that your tarsal and swing across using a rope above yet another water pit. After a few failed attempts at previous obstacles courses, I think I have eventually found my groove, hold on tight and keep your legs up, not forgetting to let go at the other end.
Cheeky Monkey
Oh how I hate monkey bars and these ones the bars seemed to be wider apart. I am hoping that I would have made it across if they were closer together, both attempts I fell off. Still need to work on these monkey bars (one day I will be able to get through it).
Mud Bath
More muddy water, under the net and across the other side. There was no smooth or easy way to getting this done, maybe a commando crawl through it and keep your head up like a normal commando crawl, but I think it may have even been a little too deep to do this.
Shock Therapy
Really??? I hate this one, I think they should just ban it... We did have the option of going round, but with some hesitation I did actually go through it twice... Stupid obstacle, you can feel the zaps as you went ran it. Jen for some reason found this one a lot of fun, crazy women (not sure why anyone would find this one fun). It was like have little heat electric bolts going through you at any given time, plus it always got you on the same spot - the calves...
Tyre Bridge
You had to get over the water with the tyres in the way, there really does seem like a lot of water in this race... Nothing like getting wet to make you feel nice and cold.
Cargo Chaos
More water... not your normal water crossing, but this time you had to get across using the net. Another one that is designed to slow you down. No quick or easy way of getting around it, you just had to keep close to the side and hope that you got your footing in the right place.
Ball Bonanza
Going past this one, my first thought was ice bath, especially as I saw both Allyson and Dave slowly getting in. Once I got to it I realised it was a pit filled with plastic balls, with the same principle as the ice bath, you still needed to duck under the centre section to get to the other side. It was weird feeling, as you almost forget that you can actually breath underneath the balls since its not filled with water.
Waterslide Wipeout
Stupid waterslide, this for me was the slowest waterslide that I had ever been on, as it slowly took me down the slide, I keep getting stuck and then having to push myself down. The Volunteer at the bottom had to give me a push just so I could get off the slide. The second time was a little bit more fun, as I shared it with Jenny, we actually went down with some speed, the way it was supposed to be done.
| Drop it like it's Hot A new one, which was just a vertical drop. The drop was fine, but hitting your head was not, not the greatest feeling smacking your head against the back, which developed an instant headache. You definitely only try and do these things once, and made sure that my posture going down the second time was a lot better, I really didn't want a double headache. Leap and Splat More water, after flying into the water after the drop, you had to get out on the other side and then run across 5 floating platforms, made it to the third both times but fell off each time. Another swim and to the finish line. |  |
I am sure I spent the majority of the course wet than dry and there seems to be water every where. However the course was a lot of fun and quite short. It would be good just to double it up and go round the course twice, 5km just wasn't enough. The obstacles held a definite mixture of difficulty levels that would test all abilities, and was held at great location, as always just wish the sun had shined for that little bit longer, but at the moment it seems that every time there is an ocr event on, the clouds want to cover any chances of the sun shining throughout the day.
This one is also great for teams, just to get together and help each other along. A fun one for those new to obstacle racing with it not being too long, plus you receive an awesome medal at the end which is always a bonus.
Thanks to Fiona from Obstacle Racers Victoria for all the photos, and the ones that I kinda borrowed from Summit ooppss.
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