Written by: Nikki Fritz
The butterflies in the pit of my stomach are in overdrive as
I stood at the start line in Glen Rose, Texas as I waited anxiously for the
announcer to begin the race. This was it, this was the last Spartan race of my
2014 season. 13+miles to survive and finish and my goal would accomplished. To
celebrate Spartan Race 5 years I decided to try and complete 5 trifectas in
2014. Reflecting back what an amazing year. Filled with ups and downs,
injuries, tears, frustration, but worth every minute of it.
Rewind back to April in Vegas. My very first Spartan Super
and my first race with an amazing group of ladies - the Canadian Mudd Queens. I
was so nervous about doing this race; first of the season and training was not
quite up to par but I had such amazing support from these ladies, which gave me
the confidence that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. We started and
finished together and I learned very quickly that you spend a few hours in a
desert pushing your body to the limit brings you closer to those with whom you
race. I couldn't have done it with these ladies. I ended up banging my head
then panicking in a water obstacle as I don't know how to swim. I looked up and
had a fellow CMQ distracting me to calm myself down. I focused on her, was able
to get myself back and was able to finish the race. I was so happy I couldn't
stop crying. I actually did it. Despite heat stroke, sun burn, dehydration and
head injury (left quite a bruise and goose egg on the forehead) I pushed
through. Now the fire was fueled. I returned back to Canada with even more
drive and determination to reach my goal.
I headed to Colorado for the Spartan Sprint Special Ops
which in itself was a obstacle to get onto the military base. Because I am a
Canadian I needed to have a person with a Department of Defense card to escort
me on the base. Again a Canadian Mudd Queen to the rescue and thankfully with
the help of Facebook and my fellow Mudd Queens they were able to find someone
to help me through the gate. It was one of the muddiest, toughest Sprints I
have ever done!
In May the Canadian Spartan series started and off to Mt
Tremblant I go for a Super one weekend then back for a Sprint the next weekend!
It was a beautiful venue and I was so excited to race a Canadian Super that is
until I hit the first hill.
"What the hell did I get myself into?!" I mumbled
under my breath...what I had left of it.
Now I have always taken pride in my natural ability to run
and handle hills but not mountains. So many times I wanted to cry, quit,
scream. I think at one point I could have easily just thrown myself on the
ground and went into full temper tantrum mode. I felt like my mind was going
crazy but somehow my body kept plugging away, hurling over every wall, burpee
after burpee but my head could not wrap around what I was doing. So it is true
what they say that it is 10% physical and 90% mental. Marathons I could drown
out those inner demons with music but out here on the mountain I couldn't
escape from it. I couldn't have been more happy to see that slip wall knowing
that on the other side was the finish line. I did it.
I was able to feel more confident in my racing and boost up
my training. Then it happened. Every athlete's worst nightmare. Injury.
I had volunteered for a race and went to grab someone's flag
and broke my finger. I quickly looked down at my throbbing completely deformed
middle finger, snapped it back in place and went into denial mode. As I sat in
the hospital ER while the Dr splinted my finger and referred me to a surgeon I
sat there uncontrollably crying. Not because of pain but I felt my whole racing
dream for the year had just ended. The thousands of dollars spent, the
countless hours of training, the sacrifices I made. All gone just like that.
Luckily, I didn't need surgery but was to remain off for 6 weeks. Well in 3
weeks I had my first Super/Beast weekend and my first trifecta.
So I rested for 3 weeks and decided to try racing with the
splint in hopes I could just finish. I knew there was going to be a lot of
burpees those 2 days. The Super on Saturday went well. I took my time and was
extra careful...phew. The Beast the next day. Same as the day before I tried so
carefully to protect my finger. That is until it happened. Less than a mile
left with the slip wall almost in sight and the sounds of the festival area
buzzing, I fall and landed on my hand which then broke the other side of the
bone to complete the break. I screamed in pain and I am sure a few cuss words
came out and thought I was done. How was I going to make it up the slip wall?
It is amazing what determination and plain old stubbornness will make you do. I
crossed the finish line tears streaming down my face. I actually did it. I
conquered the Beast and got my first trifecta medal! I was so proud and so
emotionally and physically exhausted. 1 down, 4 to go.
September came the ultimate test of what I was made of:
Killington, Vermont; Where Spartan Race was born and where I thought I was
going to die. Not going to lie - that race completely broke me. I wanted to
quit after the first hill. I thought the Canadian ski hills were killer enough,
this was just insane. Up and down, and up and down. 9 hours of sheer hell. I
was so over it. I never wanted to hear the word Spartan, AROO, or anything
obstacle related again. I was racing alone in the dark for the last hour of my
race. I was certain if the race didn't kill me then a bear was going to. As the
hours went by my enthusiasm diminished. Even with proper gear I was so cold. At
the top of the mountain I was shivering so much, my lips were blue, I couldn't
feel my fingers and toes. I knew what was going on. I thought it beat me, I was
done. I was only half way and already hypothermia was setting in. I ran into a
lovely volunteer who saw me and instantly grabbed me and held me in her coat to
warm me up. I started to sob. When I thought I was done and ready to throw in
the towel this person unknown to me would not let me quit. She got me warmed
up, smiled and told me to keep going and that she was proud of me. That was all
I wanted to hear being out there alone. It is easy to get into negative self
talk. I kept her words with me the rest of the way. I was never so happy to see
a finish line in my life.
I honestly didn't know if I had it in me to jump on a plane
and head to BC to compete in Sun Peaks Spartan Beast for trifecta #3. Standing
at the start line at Sun Peaks I was drained. I didn't think I had it in me to
complete another beast. My body was tired from Vermont, all the travel, time
change. I mentally was just exhausted. It was almost like I was just trying to
go through the motions to get it done. The first 5k was up and down for me as I
just couldn't find a rhythm for the life of me. Eventually I ran into a couple
Canadian Mudd Queens and it was like I was reborn! They were so positive and
upbeat. I was feeling rejuvenated and was having FUN! It was so wonderful to
race with these ladies! Kept my spirits up and the time just flew by. I was
back to loving obstacle races again!! I cried getting my Third Trifecta medal
placed around my neck I was so happy.
I couldn't wait to head to South Carolina for Trifecta #4. I
drove 15 hours in my lil Cobalt car. The poor girl has gotten more miles on her
this year for races then the past 5 years of ownership. Not only was I beating
my body down but my poor car too. I have to say other than the Toronto
Sprint/Super weekend this was by far my favourite race. It was a nice, fun,
fast, fairly flat and absolutely the muddiest course to which I have EVER
been!! I was less than a mile to go in a mud pit when I slipped and instantly
felt a pull in my left outer knee. I fought back the tears and limped on to the
finish. I had no idea what I had done but the pain was absolutely unbearable. I
couldn't walk full weight bearing. I was in the US and had to drive 15 hours
back home, which ended up taking me close to 18hrs with all the stops to keep
icing my knee.
All I kept thinking is how am I going to get on a plane in 3
days and head to Dallas and run my last and final beast. I rested that week and
hoped for the best. I tripled my compression braces for my knee and went in
with the hopes I could just hang on enough to even walk it and finish. I have
come so far to not complete what I set out to do.
I was very fortunate to race with a couple of Canadian Mudd
Queens that I had the pleasure of racing with in Vegas at my first Spartan of
the year. Those ladies never left me. They encouraged and assisted, and we
worked as a team to get it done. By far it was the most fun I had during a
race. I think I heard "We wear tight pants" in my head for weeks
after the race and still giggled every time. I was so honoured to be able to
race with these remarkable ladies and I am so thankful I got to race my last
Spartan of 2014 with them.
As I received my 5th Trifecta medal I wore it with such
pride. It felt so amazing that despite everything that happened I kept going
and accomplished my goal. It may have not been the prettiest of times but it
made me stronger and shaped me to be a better athlete and set my goals for
2015. As for the knee I returned to Canada and was told I did quite a nasty
tear to my MCL and they couldn't believe I got another Beast out of it without
doing more damage. I have been rehabbing with physio nicely and no surgery was
needed. I am really looking forward to 2015 adventures. I will continue to run
OCRs but my focus is going back to marathons to reach my goal of running a full
marathon in every province and every state and every continent.
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