Category: Black Diamond

The SUCK Midwest (04.15.2016)

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to crew for The SUCK, so this is my first recap from a semi-spectator perspective.

First impressions . . . WOWZERS!

Running can be tough, but after adding in half your weight buddy bags, 50lb sand pills, tires, 8lb sledge hammers, & 5 gallon buckets it turns into an OH MY! Then adding in running, various forms of PT (e.g. burpees), & rucking without sleep & it turns into a WTH!

Now most people after witnessing all of the acts of badassery that I did, would have adopted that “Thanks – you’re doing great, but not for me” attitude . . . & I honestly thought that would have been my take away too.

I can run miles upon miles, but this extra stuff just doesn’t appeal to me . . . yeah, I don’t know really how to explain it, but something happens when  you are around all of these magnificent feats badassery & awesomeness that your perspective starts to shift ever so slightly to the “I think I could do that” realm.

The night had various activities such as:

• 67 burpees
• a dip & walk in the local creek
• a water carry with both 5 gallon buckets full of water
• 67 push presses with one full bucket
• a mile bear hug water carry back to base.
• a burpee loop (4 times over the 12 hours)
• a mile plus buddy bag carry (4 times)
• a PT circuit (4 times)
• 100 sledge-hammer strikes on the tire
• a concrete block collection
• digging a trench
• running a mile plus time trial (4 times)
• tire flips
• a mile plus off trail ruck (ruck sack with 50lb sand pill inside, plus the tire & sledge-hammer strapped onto the ruck, & carrying both 5 gallon buckets)
• 100 ruck sack push presses
• 200 sit ups
• 300 squats

I’m exhausted just thinking about everything that they did & I know that this OCR – at times – lived up to its name . . . it SUCKED; but it was the perfect opportunity to find the magic in the misery & to embrace everything that was good & peaceful.

The area was magical & brimmed with wildlife! There were hawks everywhere! During the night activities there were beautiful serenades made up of crickets, frogs, owls, & coyotes. And the clear night sky presented an abundance of stars as far as you could see. At morning’s edge – the birds started to beckon the sun to rise with their song. It was glorious!

THE GOOD: ‘S Wonderful,’S Marvelous

Everyone that knows me knows that I have a soft spot for animals – all animals. I can be completely & total enamored with birds, deer, coyotes, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.

I was in complete & total heaven with the beauty of this area. I couldn’t help, but get lost in its magic! I am completely looking forward to going back to this area for some good ol’ fashion hiking to explore the trails & be engulfed in its natural beauty again!

THE BAD: My middle name is not Grace.

On the off trail ruck there was a place along the creek that I had to jump a fair distance (OK – in my mind it was a fair distance . . . in actuality I have no idea what the distance was & that is my story & I’m stickin’ to it). Well, believe it or not, “grace” is not my middle name & I may or may not have ended up with a partial face plant & sprained wrist. Nothing broke (which was my first fear) & the mud / dirt brushed off, & while my self-esteem is still being evaluated, I was (& still am) no worse for wear.

My Trail Toes, OM VP2, & Black Diamond trekking poles otherwise kept me on my feet & going all night – even just a week after my first 50 miler! 🙂

AND THE UGLY: No Sleep.

Two weekends in a row of no sleep over 24hrs takes its toll on me now. Recovery takes longer & I can’t say that I’m my chipper self all of the time. I’m definitely not saying no to pulling all nighters, but back to back weekends of it would eventually catch up with me.

SUMMARY:

Now, I am not saying that I am signing up for The Ultimate SUCK in September – I have my senses about me somewhat! 😉 After all I will be running my first 100 miler less than a month later, BUT I’m not ruling out giving my best effort for the 12 hour SUCK next year. 😛 I’m working on living up to my Sister’s nickname for me . . . Crazy Pants Gunkel!

Besides, Joe & Nicole Decker are amazing people & everyone would be better off after spending some time around their enthusiasm! ❤