“What are feelings for? One could argue that emotions without feelings would be more than enough for life regulation and survival promotion. However, that’s not the case. In the orchestration of survival, having feelings is extremely valuable. Emotions are useful in themselves, but it’s the process of feeling that alerts the organism to the problem the emotion began to solve.”
– António Damásio
This article was written by our CrossFit and OCR athlete, Inês Alves Correia
I signed up for the Spartan Race in Barcelona shortly after completing the one in Madrid. This first experience was so positive that I decided to move on to the Super race in Barcelona. Unlike the Madrid race, where I was accompanied by friends and my husband and where the goal was basically overcoming obstacles but mainly having fun as a group, in the Spartan in Barcelona, where I signed up for the Age Group, my goal was to prepare well to overcome the obstacles and finish in the best possible time.
I was determined to run alone to be 100% focused on my performance. Unfortunately, this preparation, due to life’s circumstances, fell far short of what I wanted and expected. I started to feel “afraid” of the frustration of not being able to overcome previously conquered obstacles and even considered quitting a week before. But those who know me know that word rarely enters my vocabulary, and with the great encouragement and support of my husband, cousins, and siblings, I went on to face this new challenge.
When D-day arrived, I was extremely nervous, and the fear of frustration took over again minutes before the start. It was a mix of feelings I was experiencing in those brief minutes before the race began: anxiety, fear, nervousness, I questioned myself several times “what are you doing here?!”
From the outside, I heard the voices of those who support me the most: “if anyone can do it, it’s you,” “give it your all, everything will be fine.” And so the race started. As soon as I began running, I passed the first wall and the first mud pools, and all doubts and nerves vanished.
I felt more confident and full of energy to tackle the 15km ahead! It was 15km of quite technical terrain, with many long and steep climbs, lots of mud, which made the obstacles extremely slippery.
My highlight was managing to climb the rope, which was practically soaked in mud and which I had failed in the Madrid race.
This race also had the particularity of having some parts of the course and obstacles near the starting area, which allowed for the support and encouragement of those who were there cheering us on! Pimpa, Mariana, and Ulisses were tireless in this mission, as well as all the wolves present at the event! There’s nothing that gives us more spirit and strength than hearing our pack shouting our name! Better than this is only that hug at the end of the race and the general affection of those who were there supporting. A big thank you to everyone, and I’m already looking forward to the next Spartan! Let’s train!!!