Inferno Obstacle Race Report
- bradleyhaag
- Sep 29, 2015
- 2 min read
Background
After a good race at Spartan Pac-West obstacle race back in July , I was very excited for the “Inferno” obstacle race in Salem, OR on September 19th. As I mentioned in my latest training update, I was fairly familiar with the race venue as I had raced the “freeze” obstacle race (winter race) at the same place back in March. Only difference was the freeze was 4 miles and the inferno was 7.7 miles. Additionally this would be my last obstacle race of the year, providing some nice closure.
The Inferno (7.7 miles with 20ish obstacles)
For this race I opted to start in the “competitive” heat which surprisingly only had about six other men in it. As the starting noise went off the first obstacle (well not really an obstacle) was thirty burpees which I was able to finish the fastest putting me in the lead. Fortunatley my running legs were with me in this race and I was able to hold a nice pace between obstacles. Unlike previous obstacle races I had done, this race was much more spread out allowing for my legs to truly open up.
My favorite obstacle in this race was a short swim which, as a competitive triathlete for 6 years played to my strengths and allowed me to lengthen my lead. After some more awesome obstacles and trail running in between, I approached the last obstacle which was very Ninja Warrior inspired, requiring a rope traverse into some monkey bars. I had done obstacles like this in the past but never as long as this one, nor at the very end of an obstacle race. I made it about have way through, when for the first time in my short obstacle race history my grip slipped and I landed straight on my back. Mind you, in the competitive heat we were allowed unlimited attempts at obstacles or we could opt out entirely of an obstacle but would be given a ten minute penalty. With this in mind I tried the obstacle one more time getting just as far before falling again. Knowing I was still a long ways ahead of the second place guy I accepted the penalty and walked to the finished feeling good. I watched the other racers in my heat attempt and attempt the last obstacle but just like myself, opted out in exchange for the 10 minute penalty keeping our gaps in time the same.
Overall Thoughts
As with all the obstacle races I’ve done, this race was an absolute blast. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. I finished first overall for my heat and was happy to end my obstacle course season on a high note. Now it's time to focus on cyclocross for a little bit! Stayed tuned for my next race report on my entire cyclocross series.
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