Spartan Race World Championships - September 21-22, 2013.

   Spartan Race VT Beast.

        What a weekend!  Another opportunity to prove to myself what I am capable of, to overcome my fears, and discover my breaking point.  Running through the course this past Saturday tattooed a whole new vision and level of respect to all those who took the challenge to push past their pains, their doubts and their uncertainty of their strengths. I have never in my life battled the combination of exhaustion and dehydration with determination and heart the way I did in racing at Mt. Killington,VT.  Despite having competed in many Spartan Races over the past thirteen months, this time I experienced a whole new understanding of the Spartan Race's saying  "You'll know at the finish line".

               This was the first race I had entered without expectation of the race's outcome. I went into the starting line as an individual, alone, as though I was running the race all by myself. This dismissed any anxiety or stress to try to "be the best" because then I wasn't looking to be the top overall racer, but to be the best that I could be for that day. With this thought process, others who I crossed paths with were not viewed as my competition, but friends, gifts. Even at times when there was silence between each of sufferings, there was a shared energy in the knowing that we were all experiencing the same thing. Hearing so many words of inspiration being shared and watching so many helping hands being given to those in need really proves the magic inside a Spartan Race. You go in as an individual and you come out as a family.

         

Before the race I had a quick conversation with Chris Davis. Chris is an amazing friend and inspiration who, in life, was able to achieve for himself what others may have thought to be seemingly impossible. I was expressing my fear of the beast course, for distance running was never my specialty. He comforted me by saying "It's all about pacing yourself. If you have to stop, only rest for 5-10 seconds and keep going." Hearing Chris' advice echo in my conscious mind throughout the course helped me to push past my comfort zone--focusing not on the distance, but on each step I took--one foot in front of the other. 

             Around mile 11.5 I could sense myself starting to fall apart. My camel pack was drained of its fluids, my anxiety was increasing and my breath was becoming more panicked and labored. I was a mess.  My body was telling me I can't, but my heart was screaming "I can!" Being a strong believer in the saying "Everything happens for a reason" I realized I was sent an angel at the moment I was tempted to quit. Jackie Rust, an incredible athlete and friend, who I officially/ironically met the night before, came  running up behind me. I explain to her that I had reached my breaking point and I encouraged her to keep up the good work.   To my surprise, she didn't jet past me. She ran with me side by side, feeding me words of motivation and confidence that collided with similar words from another fellow Spartan Racer as I ran sandwiched between those two rock stars. I was embarrassed because I had never mentally felt so defeated - at that point the mountain owned me.  Each branch that danced across my skin, felt like a knife. Each roll of my ankle was another earthquake released inside all of my unstable emotions.  My senses were in rage, but I still found myself running, putting one foot in front of the other and not giving into the negative cries of defeat.

          The finish line was breathing down the back of my neck. I knew it was close, but was still hidden from view. As my friends continued forward Jackie then reassured me that this was home stretch and they would meet me at the finish line.  Hearing her say this gave me another reason to not give up. I stepped outside of myself as I sniffled up and down the final hills to truly take in and reflect on what it feels like to overpower the voices of doubt in my head. Quitting was not an option.

          My tears disappeared as I rounded the corner that led me to the finish line. I didn't quit!. My tears turned to a smile, the smile to a laugh, as I leaped over the fire and past the gladiators--to be greeted by Chris Davis with my metal and a hug.  Suddenly, my hidden emotions resurfaced and I began crying uncontrollably.  I was so blessed to have received the strength, endurance, family and love I needed to help me see past the pain, worry and fear. This is why the sport of OCR is so addicting. No race is the same, and you always come out having learned something new.

          To those who were challenged by the Spartan Sprint, Beast, Ultra Beast, Death Race, Double Beast and/or Beast/Ultra Beast you are all my inspiration. Inspiring me to never stop challenging myself because it's the uncomfortable experiences we encounter in life that develop the knowing of who we are today--to find the person we always knew we could be. AROOO!!!

~Laura Messner