The Nuts Challenge

After the incredible success of my Knaphill Boot Camp, The Fit Green, at The Nuts Challenge this weekend I felt needed to get something in writing. 

The conditions of the day were colder than the balmy snowy ones we’ve been used to of late, but undeterred (or just slightly deterred) the team got amongst it and were nothing short of BRILLIANT.

Turning up to the venue and making our way to the start line there was an air of nervous energy about the squad. With new t-shirts in hand and an air of optimism we made it to the registration tent where we met Katie and Sarah who arrive everywhere at least 30 minutes before everyone else. 

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After the debate of what to wear and what not to wear, the girls ignored everything I said and did what they wanted as per normal. We had a couple of team snaps (for the search and rescue team just in case we lost someone en route) and then we went to the start line.

On the start line Tina made a nuisance of herself by covering people in mud and generally being annoying and then without further ado away we went....

After a couple of hurdles we reached the first bit of water. Of course I was nothing but polite and offered Jan a piggy back over (she is small) and I was a gentleman and didn’t drop her and nor did I splash Mel unnecessarily. That would be stuuuuupid. 

It was just water under the bridge...

After managing to catch up with our resident Frenchy, Marie, and Ben, who let’s be honest looks a little French, I had to let them go as they were too quick and I felt I was needed further back to support and splash the rest of the team. 

After spending time with Karen and Tina, and then Jed, Claire and Mel, it was clear my services were required further back still (and they were clearly getting fed up with my humour/ energy).

After letting Fiona (special agent) and Neil (her unwilling husband) go past, I started to keep Tricey, Lou and Trina company. Wading through streams, crawling through tunnels and hoping over fences was cold, but fun, but mostly cold, but having been on the go for 20mins or so and it only being a 7k race I felt we’d be near the finish and we’d soon have a cup of tea in hand to warm us up. 

Special Agent Sheridan

Having seen Phil, Becky and Becky go past I was rallied to fall back further and see who was left. 

Making great progress Debbie and Rob were a scene of marital bliss. Encouraging each other and working together on obstacles they were an example to us all. I know if I’d of dragged EJ out on a day like that she would of given me the look, shook her head and walked off.

Making speedy progress at the back were Becky (another one - that’s 3 in total!), Lois (pronounced low ass) and Carol. Taking each obstacle as it came we soon caught up with the others (not before Carol fell into the cold water and ended up totally submerged). 

Claire. The man.

With time we got colder and colder and colder, and in truth I was a little concerned. I take great pride in talking others into doing stupid (read: challenging) things, but I felt with the extreme coldness and inaccurate mile markers I was in genuine danger of losing one or two of them to hyperthermia.

With the out and back course we managed to see our teammates making progress and this spurred us on/ gave us false hope - we were near the end. Or not.

Cold. But fun. But mostly cold.

But nevertheless we persevered. After clambering over cargo nets, and sliding through a tunnel which involved being completely submerged (even I was concerned about that one!) we made it to the last two obstacles. Hoping across unstable platforms across a lake (very challenging) and then wading shoulder height back through it (everyones worst nightmare at that stage). 

The fact of the matter is everyone got round it and the sense of achievement (after they’d warmed up) was immense.Not only that but bearing in mind we are not a running club we actually had 7 women in the top 11 for there age category. Amazing, right? And it would of been even more if Stidders hadn’t registered herself as a man!

Carol being dirty...

Even better still Fiona (special agent) was the first woman over the line and Ben (who does look slightly french) placed highly too. 

I’m so proud of the guys. For many it was the first event they’ve ever done and I think the guys will say out of all the crazy races we’ve done this was the hardest. If you can do that you can do anything!

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