Hero Rush!

When we saw there was going to be a firefighter-themed obstacle race in the area (www.herorush.com), Lu and I thought it sounded like a real challenge and something a bit different to try. We made the hour and a half drive to some of the most gorgeous scenery you can imagine in Ocala on Saturday morning. For the first time we were actually late(!) but the organizers were really cool about the whole thing and put us into a later wave. Which gave plenty of time for pre-race photos :)

Teamn Daaaammmnnn! members wear matching headbands. Since Mike wasn't able to join today - we went for sparkly ones :)...

 

There was smoke everywhere which was a bit ominous...

 

 

We wore gloves mainly to look fierce but they did actually come in handy for the very first obstacle - the firefighter pole. I really, really had a hard time with it! It looked like such a long way down. But I took a leap of faith and it was actually easy in the end!

 

And then we were off for the rest of the 4.2 mile, 17+ obstacle course...yikes...

 

The obstacles were challenging both physically and mentally. We had to drag tires over walls and under barbed wire, get through a smoke-filled and a foam-filled maze, climb the usual walls, hay bales and fences, and go through a couple of icy baths. All of the obstacles had a firefighting spin and for the first time we did EVERY single one of them!!!

 

There was a kids course too and at the end of the race the spectators got to watch us get blasted by ice cold fire hoses operated by the kids. Here I am getting out of the water shouting "she's a teacher" as Lu gets lambasted. I'm such a good friend :) 

 

 

But she saw the funny side...unlike pink headband lady who had evidently lost her sense of humor...

 

Some poor guy actually fell into one of the fires - but was OK thankfully...

 

Finishing is winning!!!

 

Loved the medal and the T-Shirt!!!

 

So now we are offically "Rushers" and with a whole new respect level for real firefighters :)