Winterhell 2018, Nürburgring

 

They tell about herself, they are the hardest obstacle course run of Russia. I will not let them say that twice to me: Challenge accepted! OCR booked!

The season was well chosen! January in Germany is cold. Maybe not as cold as in Russia. But cold enough for us! And if we are lucky, it will snow. That would give this event a very special and appropriate atmosphere.

We were lucky and it was snowing at the event. Everything was white! We were happy to take part of this event.

The obstacles were - let’s say - okay. They could have been better. But you also have to remember, that water obstacles are not possible. You maybe have no water obstacles, but ice obstacles. And, if it is water, it would be too cold. Especially because of you would be completely wet after one.
But this was told during the registration process, was written in the event description and so it was no reason to mock.

The obstacles were mostly for climbing or squeezing through. At one obstacle I remind till today. The last obstacle was a quarter pipe. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. But in this dimension? I haven’t measured but at the highest point it was sure around 9m. I stood in front of this colossus and I didn’t really know how to get over this one. But I gave it a try. At the last maybe 3m there was a rope which I really got: “Just do not let it go now!” Elbow by elbow, I came up at the rope. I touched the top edge of the pipe. But I wasn’t able to got my feet high enough. Then, two other runners helped me. They took me and helped me on to the top. I made it! Okay, not without help, but I made it! Help is nothing to worry about. It is normal at such OCR events to help each other! And it’s even wanted!

The track was only 12km long. This was clear at the booking too. But we wished it would be around 20km long. On the one hand that is more interesting for us because it’s the “normal distance”. And on the other hand: It is a cold, hard event in January. No one, who does OCR the first time will book such an event. And so you can be sure that everyone knows how hard are 20km can be.

At the end we were happy. We did it, and we showed the Russians, who is stronger. But we only wins the battle. The war wasn’t over and would be continued next year! The Russians have now a year to learn. And they did. They asked us and they have largely implemented our suggestions.