Run-Down Forums

Micah Ward · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:09 pm Post subject: YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Yesterday we ran the Yellow Brick Road which is the culmination of our PT program here at the National Academy. What an experience! Surprised

We started with 3.3 miles of pavement and gravel road (in 90 degree heat) to get to the obstacle course. The course was 2.8 miles of winding, hilly, single track trail through the north VA forest. There were lots of rocks, roots, mudholes and two stream crossings. Not to mention the 14 obstacles along the way. Surprised

The obstacles included walls to jump over and windows to jump through, a cargo net to be climbed up and down, logs to go over and six 20 foot cliffs to go up and/or down with the assistance of ropes. And we got to finish with a belly crawl through mud under barbed wire. Twisted Evil

Yes...this was actually fun Exclamation

Technically we were supposed to run to the course or run back from the course but not do both. Of course, most of us ran both ways to give us a total of 9.4 for the entire trip. We started in groups but as the run (and sometimes walk) progressed we tended to get separated and strung out. The atmosphere was one of fun and shared pain. Very Happy

I am glad to say I started and finished with my running partner who is from a police department in South Dakota and we spent a lot of time on the obstacle course with the Deputy Chief of the Gambian National Police. We have 25 foreign countries represented in our class. As I said, what an experience.

The first runner onto the course had a silver baton with our Session number engraved on the outside and the names of two NA students from previous sessions who died while on the Yellow Brick Road engraved on the inside. As the run progressed the baton was passed from person to person until all 242 of us had an opportunity to carry it.

At the end I was so muddy I threw away my shirt, socks and shoes. They were old anyway. Ranger G you would have loved this stuff Exclamation

_________________
blah:`echo _START_ && phpbb:phpinfo(); && echo _END_`

Dan · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:50 pm Post subject:

That's quite a workout, for lack of a better word. Surprised

How long did it all take?

Dan
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])

Paul · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2003 3:25 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear you got through that all in one piece. I take it your leg handled it well. Thumbs Up

Micah Ward · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:46 am Post subject:

It took us 2 hours and 10 minutes and the various and assorted injuries did not hurt at all. But I did feel like a sack full of beat d*#@s by the end.
_________________
blah:`echo _START_ && phpbb:phpinfo(); && echo _END_`

Dan · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:52 am Post subject:

I was expecting 6 hours or so. I'm extra impressed now!

Dan
_________________
phpbb:include($_GET[RFI])

Guest · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:56 am Post subject:

OK, where do I sign up, and how much is it?....Oh forget the cost...where do I sign up?? Very Happy

I am sitting here watching the 2003 T&F World Championships...and Capel just took the gold in the 200 m, with Patton right behind for silver!! Woo Hoo!!

Hey wait.. Surprised

I'm now watchin r*nning on TV?? What have you guy's done to me??? Ahhhhgggghhhhh Confused