Muddy mother – talking Obstacle Course Races with Gareth Sparrowhawk

Gareth Sparrowhawk loves nothing better than beasting himself across an obstacle course race (think triathlon with obstacles). Having sent us some recent pics of his endeavours we were intrigued and decided a catch up was in order. Read to find out more.

How did you get into triathlons and taking part in obstacle course race events?

About four years ago whilst trying to get some sort of fitness together I started going to Boot Camps and it was suggested to do this running challenge to raise money for charity (Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research) which involved running varying distances (5 or 10k) through mud, water and over obstacles. (While calling it fun). A group of 25+ made the journey to Exeter to complete this event. Our group was very mixed in terms of ability but we all made it round. It took some over three hours and by the end of the race it was bitter cold but totally worth it. We raised over £6000 for the charity. Personally I walked off battered and bruised swearing that I would never try something as taxing again, until the morning after… Four years later I have now completed over 50 races and love it. Trying OCR was the best thing I could have done and now look to more ways to test myself and later this year I will be trying my first triathlon.

Pic: Adam Robinson by Monika Lampart

What’s the appeal with brutalising yourself? After all, the events look like hard work and therefore not for everyone?

You aren’t wrong! It can be brutal but that is part of the fun. They are hard work but OCR attract all sorts of shapes and sizes with varying fitness levels therefore the best part is that it IS for everyone and nobody judges. It’s about you and your race and what goal you have set for yourself. For me it started out as a test of my fitness, to gauge how I could transition that fitness into a new challenge. Now I try to finish as best I can in age categories or to qualify for future events like the UK European and World Championships.

If you were to try and convince someone to take part what would you say?

It is the preconception of these events that can put people off but I can only say give it a go and you will discover your inner mud monster. You would be surprised not only in yourself but also how much you will enjoy it. Because these races are for all levels of fitness and ability you won’t ever find yourself “alone” on the course or “out of your depth”. There are different distances to choose from with varying elements and OCR has a real feel of togetherness and community. Everybody offers support (round the course and at obstacles if you are struggling), encouragement and a sense of fun.

There are more and more events cropping up where kids can do their own race and that get the whole family involved.

 

The beauty of OCR is you don’t have to be incredibly fit to finish a race. Yes you have to be able to run a bit but you can walk the course if you want. Nobody moans about your time apart from yourself – aren’t we always our own worse critics?

These kinds of comps are addictive (so we hear). Do you find that and, if so, why do you think this is the case?

After the first race I swore I wouldn’t do a race again – not even for charity. I ached all over and had bruises on bruises in places I never thought I could get but round my neck I had a shiny little medal which I wore with pride. I completed the course and the bruises (known as OCR Kisses) were earnt and you find somewhere in yourself thinking: “I could do better if I did that again”. And there is the addiction; it’s your own competitive streak and desire to want to do better.

It’s also addictive because of the people. I have met some great people, each with their own stories but its social, fun and entertaining and all in some amazing surroundings. There is a serious element to some races but this seriousness is only present if that is the kind of race you want. I love seeing my friends, having a laugh, enjoying my race and then catching up after over a drink and food and finding out how their race was or what else is happening in their lives.

Pic: Satty Sangha (wearing our neoprene beanie hat) who recently completed the ‘tough guy run’ which is the hardest obstacles run in Europe

Are you taking part for (dare we use the word) fun? Or are you taking things more seriously?

I tried to take things more seriously last year whilst trying to qualifying for the UK Championships and all it did was put needless pressure on me. I started to beat myself up before even crossing the line and during the race when things were not working out for me – I lost the fun element. It took a while to realise this and when I stopped being so serious at a race, rediscovering the fun in a race, my times improved. I rediscovered myself in the mud. Some races are serious and if that is your thing then that is great, you go for it, people will encourage you but if you want to do it for fun (and there are more of these kinds of runners) then you get the same encouragement and you carry that smile all the way round the course. As for me, I still challenge myself, it’s who I am, but I remember I want to enjoy these moments so switch off the all so serious mode. I am not getting paid to run so enjoy it.

What are you ambitions/goals with triathlon and/or OCR events?

I am still trying to qualify for all the championships. Qualifying comes in different ways: age category finishes and completing objectives during a race (time, distance or obstacle based). This is my main OCR challenge this year. There are also specific races I want to complete so I have targeted those this year.

I have wanted to give a triathlon a go. I consider myself a proficient swimmer, I can kind of run and getting on a bike hasn’t been a problem but putting all three into practice is another matter. When talking to friends that have completed a triathlon it has seemed in its own right good fun and completing something like this is an achievement. It’s that sense of achievement that pushes me to try these things. I am a little bit of a head case when it comes to these things. I try it once and if I like it give it a go again or walk away with the experience. I can’t wait for the triathlon. I am doing it with a few friends and even though we are all different levels and ability I know we will have a laugh, probably at me and my jelly legs as I struggle to run after swimming and cycling.

I have another goal but I think that is going to be in 2018 now and that is something called Red Bull Neptune Steps – a swim in the canals of Glasgow, swimming through 420 metres of cold water, and climbing 18 metres over eight canal lock gates. It sounds ludicrous but great to be one of those that can complete this. Iit’s certainly something to train for.

What NCW gear have you been putting to good use and how is it helping you?

I recently made excellent use of NCW’s neoprene rash vest and neoprene beanie for a well known OCR event called Tough Guy. It’s a race that has been going for over 30 years and lives up to its name and for being cold. I needed something that I knew would keep me warm in the ice cold sections of water where at times I was fully submerged and I wasn’t left disappointed. The items performed so well, I was reassured as I was entering and leaving the wet sections. Granted it was cold but with the vest and beanie I had a warm core and was still able to continue and finish my race.

How did you discover NCW and what do you like about the brand?

Just like when I find a race it’s either word of mouth or searching Google. If possible I like to choose UK based goods, not only to support the local businesses but also delivery time – when you need something fast you don’t want to be ordering from overseas and hoping the item will arrive. My search was simple in the end. I wanted specific things, UK based and reasonably priced. After a quick look around I found NCW, found their website easy to negotiate, prices extremely reasonable and the delivery took no time at all. The funniest bit was when getting changed before the race and during, seeing all the NCW logos out there, so everyone had the same idea as I did.

Talk us through your year on the circuit – where/when does it start and where/when does it finish?

The best part of OCR is that it is all year round. It seems that there are races every weekend if that is what you want. Last year I completed over 25 races. Each were different but I loved all of them, plus all the bling (medals that everyone who runs will collect, there are some epic designs out there). This year I decided that I want to do specific races and set specific goals. I ran in the last ever Tough Guy (with nearly 5500 other people), I will be running in a race 20 miles long with over 200 obstacles (you can do the maths but the best part is that it’s not going to be non-stop running, I definitely don’t have that in the tank), and I also intend on going to Europe to see how they do OCR’s.

I will hopefully be completing my first triathlon, trying a different version of a triathlon too SUP, Bike and Run which also looks like it could be great fun.

What about other sports? Do anything else? If so, what?

I started out playing football and then when I got too old, slow and lost my enthusiasm for the game, I tried OCR and realised this was where I wanted to be, I am a bit of a thrill seeker so I have also had a white collar boxing fight (ended up a draw) but I also like Squash. I know that OCR is a lot of running but it is a good mix of other elements so it requires all the body, I am actually not a fan of running, I find it boring but with the mix of obstacles it makes the running sections more bearable. I go out running in my lunchtimes but only when I can and leading up to a race I try go out in the evenings. This may sound like it’s a lot but its all down to what you are happy with.

Do these help you with cross training for OCR events?

Running is good for overall fitness and more importantly stamina. Unless you are an elite runner my mind set is that it doesn’t matter how quick you can run a mile just that you can run for a while, you will always get round as long as you don’t get injured. Squash is great for my core, lower body (back and legs) and when I go to Boot Camps that works EVERYTHING.

Any final thoughts on NCW or OCR/Tough Mudder?

I cannot speak highly enough of NCW, they really helped me decide on purchasing items from them for my OCR’s and also for my upcoming triathlon. I have been chatting to Mark about what I need for the triathlon and he has given me some excellent pointers.

I like to give most things a try in life and not leave myself open to the “what if” question, obviously I/you need to exercise your own common sense when agreeing to things but rather than talk yourself out of something like an OCR, pluck up the courage and sign up, there are always discounts and you may just find that you love it!

See you in the mud….?

You can find out more about NCW’s gear and its suitability for Obstacle Course Races here – www.northcoastwetsuits.co.uk/category/ocr-mud-race-kit/