My friends are dressed up as super heroes: Batman, Spiderman, Wonderwoman... the gang's all here. Who am I? Black Widow, of course! Hello, black latex! *Note to self: Black Widow may look great kicking bad guy butt in a tight latex suit, but I guarantee she is sweating buckets inside, wondering when she can go home and put on her baggy sweatpants.
"That's my girl," a finger points at me. Everyone turns and looks in my direction. No, that is no exaggeration. The finger belongs to the MC, who just happens to be my friend. Thanks, Sean. I sink back into the crowd as he tells all of these Marines, firefighters and Cross-fitters how I am going to kick their butts. Please, God, let the latex do for me what it did for Cat Woman in The Dark Night Rises.
I watch as heats of competitors are called out and begin making their way to the first obstacle. Each team has a different strength. The Cross-fitters perfect the tire flips and burpees; the firefighters can climb that rope and the walls like it is nobody's business; Army men make the cargo nets look like an easy obstacle, which it definitely is not... especially not when you try to do it in latex #WorstIdeaEver. Everyone has their strengths and everyone has their weaknesses. What amazes me though, is the teamwork aspect of the race. As a triathlete, I have competed in mostly races where you are only out to beat the next guy. At the Spartan Race, every participant is willing to help the individual next to him or her. It isn't a competition to see who can win at the expense of anyone else; it is a challenge that everyone is experiencing together. Team member or not, you can rely on the person next to you to give you a hand.
For example, as I struggle up a wall covered in mud, a man in his mid-fifties grabs my foot and gives me an unexpected lift. I don't even have time to thank him before I somersault over the other side and land on my butt. A woman with her hair falling over her eyes lands next to me and offers me a lift up before dashing off to the next wall. Neither of these people know who I am, but they are willing to take time off of their overall score to help me. This is what I love about the Spartan Race: Camaraderie.
Rescue Response Gear specializes in technical rescue and rope access equipment. In our mission statement, we reference Habakkuk 3:19, which states: "The Sovereign God is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer (ibex). He makes me go to the heights (mountains)." We aspire to be outdoors in God's creation pushing our limits and discovering new abilities. We want to inspire and encourage others to do the same with their lives.
We believe the Spartan Race is a fun, dirty and tough challenge to "test your mental and emotional fitness and push you past your limits" (www.spartanrace.com). This is what we are called to do as Christians, to continue to grow and excel. Reebok Spartan Race has also partnered with GovX to offer a registration discount to U.S. Military service members and government first responders as a thank you for all they do for our country. The discount is $30 off all U.S. race registrations if you are a verified active, reserve or veteran U.S. Military service member or active first responder.
To access discounts for Spartan Race and the entire GovX network, eligible members can register for free at www.GovX.com. A portion of the proceeds GovX receives go towards further support of those in uniform.
We would like to offer you the chance to sign up for an opportunity to win a free entry spot in one of the 2013 Spartan Races. Please sign up on our website: www.rescueresponse.com/blog. If you are not in the military, you can still sign up to win! I have a coupon code for non-military entrants, so let me know if you want the code! And tell your friends!
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