Soooooo, a while ago I did a competition in my local ninja gym (video is here) where somehow I managed to come first in my division... that placing meant that that I qualified to compete in a regional competition to advance to the next stage... It goes Qualifiers -> Regionals -> Semis and then the Final.
The Regional Comp I chose was at Camp Rhino in Boise, Idaho. I knew it was going to be tough because all my competition had also placed in their own qualifying competitions.
This video is my run.
There were 11 people in my division, and given the troubles I've had with my tendonitis, and the disruption to training that caused... I was super nervous that I was going to place 11th... not that there would have been any shame in that, they're all amazing athletes.
The rules are:
They can set an obstacle course with 7-15 obstacles with at least 3 upper body, 3 lower body and one balance obstacle. This course was a monster 15 obstacles... I've never seen a course that long.
Unlike American Ninja Warrior where if you fail an obstacle you're out... in this competition you attempt all obstacles and only get counted for the ones you pass successfully.
Each competitor gets one retry. That means if you fail an obstacle you can retry it. The exception to this is the Warped Wall where everyone gets 3 attempts at it (if you use your retry here, you get a fourth attempt, not another 3).
This course destroyed me... I honestly didn't realise how out of shape I was... I was definitely breathing harder than anyone else who attempted the course today. Fortunately one of the ninjas there today got me a free ticket to a Spartan Sprint obstacle course race... which covered 5 miles (8 kms) so I'm about to introduce a whole lot of endurance runs into my training.
As it turns out... I came 4th... and missed out on placing (and therefore making the next comp) by 20 seconds (for a 7ish minute run)... I'm allowed to attempt another regional competition in another state... and I might, I just have to see if I'd be able to make the final or not (work might send me to Australia around the same time).
I honestly don't understand (again) why I ranked so highly, everyone was so good, people just kind of messed up on obstacles they can definitely do.
If you're interested in seeing a ton of other ninjas run, the Camp Rhino Facey Page has put up videos of everyone's run - link is here
steemaroo divider and ninja upgoats drawn by the incredible
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