Super Gladiator and some music...

The day has come for the 2nd installment of the trifecta races of the Gladiator Rock & Roll Runs that Fatima and I are doing to obtain the "Beast" medal.

As you read a few blogs back, the Gladiator at the OC Great Park was our 1st and a bit intimidating.  I was extra nervous for this one because it's "Super" which means it's longer and there's more obstacles and I fell off that damn "Beast" wall at the last one and was dreading deciding if I was going to skip it or try to do it again.

I was also a bit anxious about this day because timing again decided to not play in my favor and the concert that was too perfect not to buy my dad for Father's Day because it was two of his favorite bands playing together I had to get them night.  Oh and did I mention this Super Gladiator was in San Diego?  Lord.

Saturday arrived and I headed out about 6:30am.  Half way there I realized I probably shouldn't have driven my truck so unfortunately I ended up having a bit of an anxious drive.  It also didn't help that the race was in Ramona which was about half hour past the San Diego Wild Animal Park which was on the other side of a mountain so there was a lot of swirly whirly driving and me almost getting myself carsick.  I had driven alone because I had to leave immediately after the race to get home in time to shower and be ready for the concert at Verizon Amphitheater that night.

I finally arrived, early, text Fatima and headed in to get my stuff.  I saw the Weeple Army tent (we got biggest team again) but don't feel comfortable enough to just wander in without Fatima yet.  So I waited for her.  When she got there we joined the group, she gave me the gloves, shoe covers and new Weeple Tank Top she bought me and we were ready to go.  (She spoils me).  I also met Nancy and Maryann a couple of other Weeple ladies that Fatima has become friendly with and were going to be doing the race with us.  Sweet!  Nancy was a bit worried about her pace and I assured her I would not be running. :)

We took our pre-race shot:

We had the 10am wave so we headed to the starting line.  The "Beast" wall was near the end and I drifted over and watched all the people not getting over the wall.  I heard Fatima and the other gals walk up behind me as Fatima was explaining how I ate massive shit the last time I tried this.  I watched for a bit trying to make sure I had the right idea but didn't feel any more confident.  The only ones getting over the wall were very fit folks who made it look almost easy.  The guys at the top though looked more helpful than the child I had last time so I crossed my fingers and hoped.

I tried to stretch at the start, but realized time had got away and didn't get as much pre stretching in a I prefer.  We were off.

We trotted a bit at first, but I pretty much immediately fell into my walk.  I wasn't walking my full speed because I could tell this thing was going to be hilly and since it was harder than anything I've done yet and I had to survive to attend a concert later I took it easy.  Right away we were hiking up a hill.  There were tires and maybe a small wall to hop over.  I fell into easy conversation with Maryann and we continued up and up.  The more I got to know about these girls the more I liked them.  They were both very active and very cool.  We hit our 1st main obstacle - cinder block alley or something.  You were to carry a cinder block and walk around this mountain.  There were none left so we were kind of waiting but the volunteer said we could pick up the broken pieces if we want.  We did and at 1st I thought - I'm cheating!  This is too easy!   Well the "lap" was up a fucking hill.  And it was a long ass lap!!  I was getting cocky at 1st doing butterfly exercises, shoulder raises, etc. then realized it wasn't no easy feat.  We all did just fine but it would have been rough if we grabbed a huge cinder block.

There was also a point in the beginning where we were supposed to jump through these makeshift castle windows while people shot paint balls at us.  I was a bit nervous about this but I don't think the people were actually shooting us, just around us.  I got splattered with paint but never hit and no one around me got hit either.  Thank gawd.

Oh - I also forgot to mention - it was hot and humid as hell.  It's really weird weather at the moment for us here in SoCal and there was actually some sprinkling and lighting.  I was a bit concerned at the lightning but it never got too close.

Of we went again chatting away. 

I won't get all the obstacles in order but I'll do my best.  I think next up was large wall climbs.  These are the ones that have sort of steps on them.  There were 3 I believe.  We all got over just fine.  I was ahead and loved cheering on the girls.

There were a few muddy hills and some muddy water walks then hills sort of thing but it was actually pretty dry.  I'm sure the weather and our drought had a lot to do with that.

Here's a hill I'm trying not to fall off of

We hit "Buddha's Burden" around here and it was the same as last time - not 40lb bags as they state on the website but little tiny bags that weigh next to nothing.  We all did well.

There was also a tire lunge.  You hold a tire and do lunges.  I wore mine like a necklace and sweated all the way through.  I also chatted with a very yummy looking fellow while I waited for the girls.  We just chatted about the weather but hello hottie!

We got to the rope climb and this was the only one I skipped.  I went up to the rope, realized I couldn't get a grip and headed off to do my burpees.  (You do 10 burpees if you skip an obstacle).  I never got a chance to learn the rope step thing so I didn't bother doing it knowing what happened last time.  The other 2 gals skipped it as well but Fatima flew up it like a pro.  I watched her closely and I think I can learn it - I just need to do it.

Now the race gets fuzzy, but I do remember there were so many hills!  I felt like we were doing this in Peter's Canyon.  Up and down and up and down and up and down and through forest and trees and brush.  More times than not I felt we were off the trail somehow because it was so rural.  We were also by ourselves most of the time because I think we were caught in the middle of the fast fit folk and the slow out of shape folk.  I didn't mind.  

I'm throwing these pictures in here.  They were after some sort of muddy water crawl.  It pretty much captures the essences of me! :)

There was a point where we just went up a hill and went back down again.  The volunteer gal was yelling us on and I teased her at the top.  She said how lots of people were cheating!  Losers!  This was also just a Super thing she said and joshed that those cheaters were not Supers but we were.  Ha ha.

Then came the dreaded Polar Plunge.  I hate this damn thing.  My body does not react wall to cold and I have the uncontrollable shakes.  I almost skipped it but went for it and went for it fast.  I dove in, shot under the wall and got out as fast as I could.  There was no photographer this time.  I sat there shaking as the other girls got through.  Nancy worried but I assured her I just needed a minute.  I know I look a site!  My white blue ass shaking up a storm.

There was also the dumpster dive.  It was just one dumpster like before and Fatima and I got in ok.  Nancy and Maryann decided to skip it.  There was a couple of other dudes but they were gone by the time I hoisted Fatima out.  She asked me if I was sure and I was like oh yea!  But then I was all alone in the dumpster with no one to hoist me.  Well hell.  I looked around for a way out and couldn't seem to figure it out. Fatima and Nancy were on the other side ready to help me but I couldn't figure out how to get up.  Hmmmmm.  "Is there anyone in there with you?!" Fatima shouted.  "No!"  Lord I thought.  So....I rallied some sort of weird determination and launched at the top.  Somehow I grabbed the top and hoisted myself up.  A very loud shout/animal sound came out of me as I pulled myself up.  I want to take a side note here and say I love this.  This is where strength is awesome.  I have good upper body strength if I put my mind to it.  I understand where the animal like roars come out of people when you do it.  As I pulled myself up and popped over the top, Fatima and Nancy stepped back surprised cheering me on.  I got a little carried away, leaped down and tumbled into a fall but bounced back up.  Not gonna lie...felt pretty rad.

We then went through some muddy tubes and tunnels and apparently this was where some folks were getting quite injured, but I don't see how.  They were clearly marked.  People need to be more careful! 

There was a water slide which was fun.  It was pretty much just a big tarp you slid down.  Very similar to Rugged Maniac.  I also ran into my co-worker John Cebula at this point.  We said hi and I tried to chat a bit but he looked DONE!  It was hilarious.  Mary Ann and I went down together and somehow I slid faster, twisted sideways and careened into the water almost backwards.  I have no control on these things.  

I love this picture!

Yup, I'm a sideways slider

Around here were the stump jump.  None of the girls wanted to do it but I wanted to try.  So the entire time the 3 girls were doing there burpees I was trying to climb up top a stump.  They are only the size of like one foot and about 3 feet high, so getting on the damn thing was the hardest part.  As I was doing this I saw an audience so we were near enough to the end that people could come watch.  I also saw that no one else was trying this one.  The volunteer yelled it's better with a buddy.  So when the girls finished burpees I had actually finally climbed up on the stump and Fatima ran over asking if I wanted help.  "Yes!" I said not sure if I could do it and didn't want to risk hurting my dumb ass.  Fatima ran to one side and Nancy to the other.  I told Nancy I would only use her if I had to.  I wanted to at least do it with just one side of help.  And that's what I did.  It was pretty easy with a friend.  I think the next time I'll have someone next to me to help in case I need it but try to do it alone first.  It was cool and the gals cheered me on.

After this was the giant log carry.  We again teamed up with some larger fellas but we got too many and I ended up just trotting behind everyone.  So I don't want to even count that one.

Then you go through the Concrete Jungle.  This is a bunch of random stuff, giant tires, huge concrete tubes, busted up cars, etc. that you climbed through, jumped over, etc.  This was fun and I kind of wish there was more of it.  I also wish there was a photographer there because it looked sort of end of the world apocalyptic like.  (I made a mental note I need to learn how to work the new little camera I got from Fatima so I can start bringing it and taking pictures!)

After this was the Beast Wall.  My heart stopped.  I approached the wall and I heard Fatima behind me "Are you sure you want to try this again?"  I didn't even answer I just ran at it.  I scurried up no problem just like before but got to the same spot I did last time and stopped.  I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get over once you’re at the top.  Most people reach an arm in - the dudes grab your arm and pretty much pull you over.  For some reason that didn't seem feasible.  The guy at the topped looked me straight in the eye.  "You got this" he said.  I took a deep breath.  "Do you want me to grab your arm?"  He asked.  I shook my head and swung my left leg towards him.  This is where I went down last time.  The kid didn't know what to do and I don't think I swung far enough over and I went down.  This time as I swung my leg over I slammed against the wall on my left side (just like last time!!!!)  My head went fuuuuuuuuuuuuck but my body went nope!  I swung my leg farther over with a slight animalistic sound and gripped the shit out of the wall.  The guy then grabbed my left arm and said "I got you!"  I then pulled myself up with my left leg.  Also at this point I felt something hurt.  A lot.  As I pulled myself up the guy pretty much just guided me up.  "You don't need me!" he shouted proudly.  I straddled the wall and the exhilaration hit me.  I did it!!!!  I threw my arms up in the air and screamed "Yeeeaaaaahhhh!!!!!" I turned and looked down and saw Fatima, Nancy and Maryann cheering me on.  I locked eyes with Fatima and I know she knew how awesome I felt.  I then almost toppled over cheering.  Good one J.  I climbed down and felt where I had hurt my calf.  I'll get to that in a minute.  I got to the ground and screamed with such happiness and victory and was reminded right then why I do these races.

The other three girls got up and were helped over the top like I probably should have been (this is something else I need to learn) and I screamed with excitement every time one went over.  They all struggled and they all conquered.  It was so awesome to watch.  Nancy and Maryann came around the corner beaming and high fiving and hugging and so stoked.  I was so honored to be a part of these girls’ successes!  So damn rad.  We all four conquered that damn wall.  I was limping a bit but didn't realize the damage yet.  I did it dammit!

The rain was now coming down pretty good and we had a nice sprinkle for the last portion.

The final obstacle was two cargo climbs.  I was so elated after that wall I flew over the cargo nets and across the finish shrieking.  I then looked back and realized the girls weren't with me.  I totally mistook another set of folks as the girls.  I trotted back to the nets and cheered them on, then we crossed the finish line together.  

We hugged and high fived and congratulated each other on a kick ass race.  We took our post-race shot.  Can you see the happiness?

 

I am loving meeting these kick ass gals, I am loving watching Fatima get to be a badder ass, I am loving that I am learning to curb my competitiveness to be more fun and less angry (I didn't get pissed once during this race!) and I'm so grateful I'm even able to do these right now. 

This race was no exception and met some fantastic new girlfriends and defeated something I was dreading doing.  I'm officially a Super Gladiator!

Unfortunately I had to peace out immediately and I missed the group Weeple shot and a chance to chat more with folks but this was my crazy day.  So I didn't even shower, just went to my truck, toweled off and headed out.  I hit HORRENDOUS traffic on the way home and a few rainstorms and ended up getting back about 3 hours later.

Showered, got my shit together and was ready when dad arrived at 5:30 for our night.  We headed out to Verizon, got our VIP passes and headed in.  I thanked my lovely friend April and we hit the VIP bar.  A couple of glasses of wine in and feeling fancy we headed to our seats.  The damage to my calf was now starting to really take affect.  Basically my entire upper calf is swollen, and purple.  I have the biggest bruise I've ever had in my friggin life on this damn thing.  I have a feeling the combination of Aleve and wine was helping me not feel the pain too much.

I want to take a moment here and say - I got hit on!  I take a moment outside of this blog to say that because it never happens.  I was waiting for my dad to get out of the restroom and this kid (Yes he was just a pup) came up to me and said "Who you waiting for?" (He worked for Verizon).  "My dad" I said smiling.  "Well then, I need to come talk to you then!"  I looked a bit confused and he said "Well if there's no boyfriend or husband your waiting on...”  I laughed and we chatted a bit.  I told him he should defiantly go watch Tower of Power and then dad came out.  He smiled and said "Hi dad!”  He wished us a good night and off we went.  "Dad!  I just got hit on!"  Dad laughed and we wandered to our seats.  His eyes lit up when he saw where we were sitting (Um Orchestra) and we sat down just as Tower began.

They have a new singer - Ray Green whom dad and I have been anxious to check out.  He did not disappoint.  Their set was short (They were the 1st opener) which was a bummer but we danced and sang along to the few songs they played and it was fun to see the obvious TOP fans scattered about.  They put on a killer set - horns perfection as usual - and I can't wait to see a full show in the future.  This Ray Green is damn good.

I got some more wine (feelin good now!) and dad got some kettle korn and we nestled in for Steve Miller.  He began and my drug days came rushing back to me when his background was cool stars and lights.  He put on a killer set as usual and dad and I were up dancing for most of the set.  It started raining and it was so cool!  It's hot out, it's raining, and we're outside at Verizon Amphitheater dancing to Steve Miller.  Talk about a perfect evening!  All the musicians were spot on and he played most the favorites and kept the crowd dancing.  So awesome. 

We decided not to stay for the headliner (Journey).  I had bought the tickets not even realizing Journey was the headliner - just saw T.O.P. and Steve Miller on the same bill and flipped.  Dad isn't much of a Journey fan so it was just fine.  We missed the mad rush of cars and after the day I had already had I was just fine getting home before 11pm to crash out.

Tower of Power

Daddy Daughter Selfie

Steve Miller

The day that had caused me worry turned out to be f-ing awesome.  Aside from the gnarly calf injury I conquered that damn wall and had a great race with some great girls and then finished the evening off in the summer rain with my dad listening to amazing music.  I mean come on!!!  Talk about a rad damn Saturday!!

I am truly grateful for what I have in my life.  My killer family, my love for amazing music, my drive to conquer obstacle races, my friends - new and old and days like yesterday. 
Hells to the Yes.