On April 7, 2018 I ran one of the most incredible obstacle course races in my history of racing. I competed in the F.I.T Challenge. The name stands for fortitude, integrity, and toughness. There are different divisions in which racers can compete. There is the elite wave, where the top racers are, there was the multi lap division, where racers completed as many laps of the course as possible in 5 hours. There was also the ultra division, where racers completed as many laps of the course as possible in 12 hours. I decided to compete in the ultra because distance is my strong point, and I like pain.
The race was at Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The ultra runners started at 7:00 am and finished around 7:00 pm. The goal of the race is to do as many laps of the 3.5-mile course as possible in 12 hours. There was 1,000 feet of elevation gain per lap, and there were about 30 obstacles per lap. Some obstacles were: a sandbag carry (25lbs), rope climb, inverted walls, log carry, and cargo nets.
I was able to complete 8 laps of the course, which totaled about 30 miles and 8,000ft of elevation gain. I would have struggled if my nutrition was not on point. For example, before the race I had oatmeal with blueberries and raspberries mixed in. Oatmeal is a great source of complex carbohydrates, which kept me full and it gave me the energy to perform at my best. The week leading up to the race, I would eat foods very high in carbohydrates, such as fruit, oatmeal, and bread. Having a diet high in carbohydrates leading up to the race gave me the extra energy I needed as well.
Around lap 4, my legs started to cramp up. To alleviate this, I consumed mustard packets. Even though it sounds unappetizing, it helps to alleviate the cramps. Mustard contains salt, which helps with muscle contraction. It also contains turmeric which helps to alleviate inflammation.
Once I got to lap 6, I was in excruciating pain. I took my hydration bag out on the course with me, which had electrolyte tablets in it. There are 7 major electrolytes that people need to function, and imbalances can be harmful to athletic performance. I also had some dried strawberries and a fruit bar, which acted as a quick source of energy.
Laps 7 and 8 were extremely painful, but having my electrolyte tablets in my water bag helped with the cramping in my legs. My nutrition is what led to me performing at my absolute best. I am very proud to have finished 9th for women considering this was only my second ultra. Since I completed 8 laps, I received a block of wood with an 8 on it, as well as a belt buckle medal. I am looking forward to my next ultra race on April 28th. This race will be about 30 miles again, as well as many challenging obstacles.
