Hammer Race- 2014

“There are two goddesses in your heart,” he told them. “The Goddess of Wisdom and the Goddess of Wealth. Everyone thinks they need to get wealth first, and wisdom will come. So they concern themselves with chasing money. But they have it backwards. You have to give your heart to the Goddess of Wisdom, give her all your love and attention, and the Goddess of Wealth will become jealous, and follow you.” Ask nothing from your running, in other words, and you’ll get more than you ever imagined." ― Christopher McDougall, Born to Run

   This would be my second time taking on the Hammer Race after taking a wrong turn last year with another runner and missing a section of the course, resulting in being disqualified to what would have been a surprising second place finish. My focus for this years race, as with all my races, was to have fun, challenge myself, enjoy the fun atmosphere this challenging and unique course offers and last, but not least, stay on the right trail.

Standing at the start/ finish before the race

   Sunny, temperatures in the 50's and a noon start was the recipe for an absolutely perfect day to hit the 10k course with my 8 lb. hammer and what would soon be new friends. After a short speech that entailed the safety and other information about the course, myself and the rest of the runners in the competitive wave toed the start line.

 
   3...2...1 and we were off around the half circle in the parking lot, up a small hill, a sharp left and we were quickly introduced to the rough trails through the woods. As we made our way through a short section of trails along the hillside the tire flip was our first obstacle. "15 flips!" The volunteer yelled as runners teamed up and worked together, flipping the tires. I was not so fortunate to partner up with another runner for the first 10 or so flips as the 2 time hammer race winner and other runners quickly scampered back into the woods. I retrieved my hammer and made my with with a number of others on a narrow, single track trail over tires and through more tough-wooded-terrain.
Popping out of the woods and into the frigid cold waters of the Zumbro river I could see the lead group working their way though the water on the other side of the loop. I knew at that point a lot of race was still ahead and being not far behind the leaders ensured I was still in pursuit. Climbing out of the water and up a wood ladder into the woods I felt the lingering, tingling of the icy water on my legs. 

 
   Coming up on the first log hit, a lot of the spectators had already made their way down to watch the competitors smash their log down a wooden wedge. From last years experience with this obstacle and being early in the race I planned on pacing myself and trying not to take many breaks as I swung as hard as I could. With arms turned into rubber, I continued onto climb up a steep, sandy hill and up a ladder to the top. Around the corner we had to crawl on our stomachs though tight, turning, narrow lanes. With no one in front of me I decided to push my hammer though the tunnels as sweat poured down my face.

   Coming out of the belly crawling sauna and across the road to more crawling and crouching under boards overhead, I made my way through more woods to the black door. Earlier in the race than last years course, the black door had all the front runners bunched up and scrambling to find their way out though the hidden black door. I worked my way toward the top, where no one was, searching for the exit. "Over here!" I heard someone yell behind me as everyone took off to the exit. 

Coming up to the next obstacle, the second place runner dropped a wooden box and headed on his way. I looked at the volunteers for direction as to what to do and where to go. They directed me to go up the hill and around the cone at the top. I grabbed the looped rope handle and began dragging the box up the hill. As I neared the top the suffer face was in full effect and of course my girlfriend was waiting at the top to take pictures. I made my way around the cone, still dragging the box down the hill and noticed some of the other competitors coming up the hill had put the open sections over their head and on their shoulders. Too late to change my approach now as I was easily making my way down the hill. I knew dragging the box up hill was a lot harder than just simply carrying it on my shoulders; lesson learned.

 

Hiding the suffer face as I make my way up the hill and back down

   I made my way to the next section and noticed a volunteer in a golf cart say the leaders were at the top of the hill and I might be able to catch them since they had been up there for a while. I made my way up the hill and followed the white flags around the corner though more woods along the hill and eventually back onto a road. As I followed the road I came upon some volunteers in a group as they cheered me on saying I was in 1st. Somewhere along the twisting and turning, in and out of the woods section the first and second place competitors got off track and I later heard had missed a section they had to make up.

   Nearing the second log hit before crossing the familiar ice cold waters of the Zumbro River I tried to not think about being in first place. I knew a lot of race was still left and anything could happen. The volunteers cheered as I came out of the woods and directed me to hit the log down and back the handmade wood tracks on the ground, dipping slightly into the river at one end. I began hitting my log and was almost down one way before the next racer started on their log. The sound of banging sledge hammers echoed though the valley as more racers made their way out of the woods. After about two hits I noticed my log was not moving forward. I quickly noticed it was wedged on a footing board on the bottom of the wood tracks and began pulling my log on top to begin hammering again. After a few swings my log became jammed again between the wood tracks as four or five runners began crossing the river.

   I finally hit the log to the end, entered the not so soothing waters of the Zumbro River, climbed up the ladder and across a short wooded section, back into the water and up the biggest hill on the course, Magnus. I began working my way past some of the competitors that had passed me. Everyone was grabbing every branch and twig as we made our way to the top. The group started to spread out a little as another racer and I lead the rest of the race. The climb had been pretty taxing on everyone and my new running partner was desperate for something to drink. Luckily I still had plenty of water left to give him as we made our way along the course, up and down more rocky hills though the woods. 

 
   After receiving our red wrist bands that ensured we had been on the right trail we made our way through a short tunnel, up a hill and over wood walls to the final water station. A quick drink and we were on our way. I lead at this point which to me was the roughest terrain on the course. Winding though the woods over rocks, up and down more hills, I started to hear music echoing though the hills and knew I was close to the finish. Popping out of the woods and coming upon, what I think is the hardest obstacle of the course, spectators and my girlfriend were cheering as I shot out of the woods. Dropping my hammer, yes I was still carrying it after 6 + miles, I relentlessly pulled the wood sled with bricks on it up the hill, around the cone and back down.

  

Getting ready to head up the hill on the last obstacle

   Just a short run to the finish and up and over two 11 foot walls stood between the finish. I ran with everything I had left, rounded the final corner, glanced back and knew it was almost over. I handed my hammer to the volunteer, climbed the rope to the top of the first wall and raised my arm, showing my red wrist band, proving I had completed the entire course and was about to be the first long course competitor to cross the finish line. Up the second wall, filled with unexplainable emotions, I grabbed my hammer, shook the volunteers hand and thanked him and hoisted my hammer high in the air as I crossed the finish line.

 

Coming up and over the first wall before the finish

 

Up and over the second wall 20 seconds ahead of second place and across the finish line

   Finishing first was not something I expected at all going into the race, but sure is something I will always remember. This experience has taught me that anything is possible, especially during the Hammer Race. The Hammer Race, by far, is one of my favorite yearly races to do. It's not everyday you can carry an 8 lb. hammer though the woods while tackling challenging obstacles surrounded by great people. It's no joke that this is the area's toughest obstacle course race, trust me, I'm still feeling a bit of stiffness and sore muscles the day after. If you are interest in this type of racing or looking for something new to try I definitely recommend checking this race out. For more information click here.
Lastly, I have never been a big runner. I started getting into it more this past summer and experienced not in the perspective of running as a chore, but as taking what running has to offer. The experience, surroundings and being in the moment with every stride I take on the trails. I have given my heart to wisdom, never asked more of myself than my best and in return have gotten more than I could have ever imagined.

 

The BFH (Big Friggin Hammer) and 1st place winnings