Cold. Wet. Windy. Altitude.
Just a few things that the Spartan World Championships Tahoe had in store for its racers. I was up there racing open on the Saturday before the actual world champs. I trained for it. I was fully prepped physically and mentally. I was even ready for the snowstorm that was forecast to roll in. Tahoe was my deferred race from the Sunday Big Bear race that was cancelled due to snow. It made me extra nervous, but I knew they wouldn’t cancel this one as Spartan was more prepared for it as well.
What I wasn’t prepared for – and nobody else was either – was the lightning.
My day started off as any other Spartan race day would:
- Good breakfast full of carbs and protein
- Packing up and double-checking gear and supplies
- Heading out early for our start time
For this race my gear consisted of mostly layers of jackets for me since I get cold easily. The temperature outside was roughly 40 degrees with rain/snow predicted around mid-day. Since we were running this race in an open wave, we had a later than usual start time for us. This also put our timing to be at the top of the mountain precisely when the storm was supposed to hit.
We started our ascent and were immediately assaulted at the top with fierce winds during the bucket carry and spear throw. By the time we made it through to the rig my hands were frozen, but I somehow managed to make it through the three rings, bar, and three ropes set up. Thankfully, it seemed the storm delayed long enough for us to make it off the top of the mountain.
Descending back down towards the festival area was full of beautiful views, some single lane trails, and a light coating of snow that was starting to fall. I was finally able to pick up speed and was feeling good about our timing. I was also really hoping to make it to an obstacle called Monkey in the Middle before the real snowstorm hit, but unfortunately got there just as it was picking up. We started to go through the obstacle when a warning came over the speakers of the festival area. It was then that everyone, spectators, racers and volunteers, were all pulled off course and directed to find cover inside.
One obstacle that any racer cannot tackle is Lightning.
We waited, huddled inside with everyone else, with great anticipation and constantly looking outside to see if the weather would lighten up. It was stressful to be 9.5 miles into the race and have the potential to not be able to finish and for it to be cancelled…again.
But thankfully after two hours of concerns and praying, we were let back on course. Spartan opened the last quarter mile of the race and let us complete the last few obstacles before crossing the finish line.
For me, this moment was very bittersweet. I felt like I cheated the beast. I felt as though I didn’t fully earn the medal and bragging rights. But I completed the course that was available to me, dealt with the crazy weather, and there was nothing me or Spartan could have done to combat the lighting.
Lessons learned: Somethings in this world we have no control over, but always try to make the best out of any situation
Course time: 5.33 (Including 2 hour delay)
Miles: 9.8
Elevation Gain: 2,840