“We’re all Mad here”

So you want to do an OCR?  And this agonizing thing pops into your mind.  “Why?”  Well. Why not?  Drink the koolaid.  Yes well Papa Jim might have a little more in common with what you are about to do than just alittle cyanide laced grape drink.  Obstacle Course Racing starts on a whim.  “hey me and some of the others from…the gym, the box, church, work, local bar…are thinking of doing this mud run.  Wanna come?”  Yeah sure why not?  Summer is hot, you feel out of shape, or the best shape of your life, and who doesn’t want to play in mud.  So you sign up, watch a few videos.  People are smiling, drinking beer, seems to be very little need for clothing.  Hey why the hell not?  You forget the words “run”.  And so you sweat, and you curse.  You get bruised, cut, tear clothing, twist ankles, face fears and maybe lose a friend or gain a new one.  So. Now you have entered the grounds of the Peoples Temple.  But lets leave Father Jim and think of another place of Madness.  Lets go to Wonderland and see what the tour guide there had to say about his corner of Crazy.

Ladies and Gentleman, big or small, I give you the Cheshire Cat.

Mr Cat what can a person new to obstacle course racing expect?  Should they be worried about injury.  Will they find out new things about themselves?

Cheshire Cat: “Only the insane equate pain with success.”

Um ok comforting… and where should one start?  Does one race matter over another?

Cheshire Cat: “Every adventure requires a first step. Trite, but true, even here.”

What about first timers first times?  Is there anything they really need to know?  Are there places where people will help them?  Does it matter?

Cheshire Cat: “The uninformed must improve their deficit, or die”.

Cryptic.  Ah lets move away from mortality a moment.  How about a bit on hydration if you would.  Suggestions?

Cheshire Cat: Those who say there’s nothing like a nice cup of tea for calming the nerves never had *real* tea. It’s like a syringe of adrenaline straight to the heart!

Ok then moving on.  Races.  Is it a one and done thing?  Do you think people will become so transformed that it becomes part of there persona?

Cheshire Cat: “Only a few find the way, some don’t recognize it when they do – some… don’t ever want to.”

Deep very deep.  What do you say to those who do only try it once and hang it up.  Then they go back to their sedentary life styles?

Cheshire Cat: “I’ve never trusted toadstools, but I suppose some must have their good points.”

And to the racers who find a home in OCR.  What do you say to them.  How far should they go?  Ultra Beast, WTM, Death Race, Ultra Marathons?

Cheshire Cat: “Let your *need* guide your behavior. *Supress* your instinct to lead… Pursue the Rabbit! ”

So should someone just dive in?  Are there introductory races?  Spartan Race has Sprint, Super, Beast and Ultra Beast levels.  Superhero Scramble has the Charger, Intimidator and Villain.  Any thoughts?

Cheshire Cat: “The proper order of things is often a mystery to me. You, too? ”

So no insight just wing it huh?  Not a lot of help are you?

Cheshire Cat: “I’m afraid I have to expel a rather ferocious hairball. You’re on your own.”

Lovely.  Well it has been splendid chatting with you.  I think I’ll wrap this up any final words of wisdom for our readers”

Cheshire Cat: “Haste makes waste, so I rarely hurry. But if a ferret were about to dart up my dress, I’d run.”

And there you have it readers whether its Guyana, Wonderland or in the World of OCR we’re all a little mad.