“I AM OCR” is a Mud Run Guide exclusive series featuring athletes from all walks of life. You can view the entire series here. Do you or a friend have a story the world should know? Just email us at crew@mudrunguide.com and your story might be next!
I AM OCR: Corinna Coffin
“What the Hell am I doing here?” I thought to myself as I stood in a pack of about 40 men and women in the Elite heat of the BattleFrog Race in WV. My only previous OCR experience had been almost a year earlier at the Super Spartan in VA. Despite running in the Open heat, I’d put up a pretty competitive time which gave me some confidence heading into the BattleFrog race; however, my confidence began to fade once I arrived.
We Are OCR: The Canadian Mudd Queens
The Canadian Mud Queens is one of the newer OCR groups I have joined on Facebook. These ladies are passionate about their races, and about helping others newer to the sport with questions ranging from the best gear to how to train hard for success. I had the opportunity to conduct an over Facebook interview with Kelly Ripley, one of the founders of the Canadian Mudd Queens.
I AM OCR: Devon Musko and Andrew Blakley
From my first event to this day I have been excited about the prospect of pushing my limits and the limits of the obstacle course racing events. The end of the line for the two largest events in our country are the Worlds Toughest Mudder and the Spartan Death Race. Having participated in WTM in 2013 I am now about to take on the Death Race and find out if I have what it takes. The two events have chosen vastly different atmospheres and different challenges to apply to its participants.
I AM OCR: Rob Barger
The Death Race is a physical, mental and emotional journey. It is designed to break you, to teach you, if you’re willing, a lesson about yourself. It’s up to the individual to see the lesson in the journey. Some people will focus on the wrong things and be consumed with, “It’s not fair!” and “That person is cheating!” Others, even some first time participants, will let go of what they can’t control and not give it another thought. They will go from one task to the next with no preconception, no rating or judgment system, they will simply go. Life isn’t fair, neither is the Death Race.
I AM OCR: Orry Carr
When I was 18 months old, I was accidentally shot by a .22 caliber round. When I was 12 years old, my father and I almost drowned in the Gulf of Mexico (he was resuscitated on the beach). When I was 16, I was involved in a head on collision at 50 mph and walked away from the wreckage with just a scratch on my knee.
I AM OCR: Jamie Gold
I’m continually inspired by combat vets like Noah Galloway, Todd Love, Earl Granville and Edward Lychik doing obstacle races despite injuries that would hold back lesser men. When I think about that, I stop feeling sorry for myself and push harder toward my goals. I don’t have a story like theirs. Mine is probably more like most Americans, until I decided to change the ending. Two events drove the plot: First, my marriage falling apart, then volunteering at an obstacle course race.
I AM OCR: Spartan Death Race participants
The Spartan Death Race. Just the name is enough to scare most away. However on June 27th, 300 elite athletes will arrive in the small town of Pittsfield, VT to prove their might. So, just what is the Spartan Death Race (SDR)? The SDR is a true test of endurance in that the race will last anywhere from 24-72 hours. The competitors are not given a map beforehand, nor are the aware of what challenges await. Challenges range from physical (chopping wood, 30 mile hike with rocks, etc) to mental (memorizing the names of the first 10 U.S. presidents or bible verse and then hike to the top of a mountain and recite them back in order).
I AM OCR: Alexander Nicholas, Spartan Elite
Step inside the mind and habits of Reebok sponsored SPARTAN Athlete Alexander Nicholas as we talk about what it takes to be Warrior in health, fitness, and the rest of your life.
I AM OCR: Kyoul Cha
As the twelfth hour approached, my heart raced as I frantically searched the haggard HH12HR crew for any trace of Kyoul. I reminded myself he's a Hot Shot firefighter, and has been dropped in the middle of far more life-threatening situations many times in his career. He's on the Spartan Race team and a strong elite racer for god's sake - where was he and what the hell happened?
I AM OCR: Lolita Moore
I was the girl who pretended to be happy; the girl who would smile to keep from crying, because deep in my heart I was disgusted with what I saw in the mirror. I avoided taking pictures because I didn’t like the images the camera captured and I avoided shopping with my mom and sister, because I knew when we entered the store they would be able to shop for average sizes and I would have to go to the plus sizes. I hated the life that I had made for myself, but continued to let food be my ruler. I felt like no diet or gym had ever worked, so why keep trying when you keep failing? I gave up on getting healthy.
