Scott and Mike, two long time friends, decided to sign up to compete in the Muddy Buddy race held for in Michigan for the first time. The Muddy Buddy race is approximately 6 miles long and is separated into 5 legs by obstacles along the way. One "buddy" starts on the bike, the other running. The biker will approach the first obstacle, drop the bike, conquer the obstacle then start running to the 2nd obstacle. The runner will then approach the first obstacle conquer the obstacle, find the bike and start riding to the 2nd obstacle area. The team will continue to leap frog throughout the course switching between biking and running. At the end of the race is a 25 foot mud pit which must be army crawled through to reach the finish line.
Scott had run the race in Chicago last year so he understood that it was much harder then most people expected. So using this knowledge he devised a training plan that would aid his “buddy” in developing the muscles needed to compete in the race.
Seeing as how Mike and Scott both have a love of good food and fine drink, they were happy to hear that there was a “Beast” division for teams weighing over 400 pounds. Plus it gave them a nice excuse to continue eating pizza, burgers, and cookies throughout there training regimen.
Race day came a little faster than either one of them liked but there was nothing to be done. So, on July 12, 2009 they showed up at Stony Creek wearing their Team Grappa shirts and waited anxiously for the start of the race. Before the race Mike made a trip to the porta-johns to “rid himself of a pound”
Eventually the time came for the Beasts to head to the starting line. Since Scott was the stronger runner, Mike would start the race on the bike. At the sound of the air horn Mike was off. The ground was much flatter than his training course so Mike led the pack and was one of the first five people to reach the first obstacle. After dumping the bike he quickly climbed the rock wall and started his run. That was when he began to feel that he may be in a bit of trouble. His legs already begun to feel a little fatigued with four legs of the race to go. But Mike was a tough guy and ran on.
Meanwhile, Scott had begun his first leg of the race in the back of the group. He wasn’t too worried because he had been done a lot more running this year than last and he felt he was pretty prepared for lay ahead. Setting himself a comfortable pace, he passed several other Beasts and made his way to the rock wall. After descending from the wall, he easily found the bike that Mike and ingeniously wrapped in fluorescent paper the night before. On the bike his enhanced training program proved advantageous once again and he passed several people on the second, but longest, leg of the race. Catching up with Mike around the halfway point he shouted, “GO TEAM GRAPPA” as he flew past his buddy. Making good time, he dropped the bike off at the second obstacle, the balance beams. And began running the third leg of the race.
Mike was not worried when Scott passed him on the bike for he knew he only had half of the leg yet to run, but the run was proving to be quite hard. It was the longest leg of the race and Mike was beginning to wish he did more actual running during training. With grim determination he kept running, thinking to himself that it was probably a good thing he had forgotten his heart monitor today. He was pretty sure it would be screaming at him to slow down right now, but that was not an option for him. Eventually he made it to the balance beams. He legs were extremely tired at this point and refusing to face the embarrassment of a fall from the beams, he just strolled across two beams instead of one. Finding the bright orange bike, he mounted up and once again felt comfortable and confident now that he was doing what he does best.
When he caught up to his buddy he noticed that Scott had made it well past the half way mark and was still looking pretty spry. “GO TEAM GRAPPA” he hollered as he rode past. Upon reaching the third obstacle, the army net, he dropped the bike, then dropped to his knees and crawled under the net. The next leg was a short one and Mike was glad he was only running a short distance but when he began, he legs screamed at him and threatened to separate from his body and go their own way if he didn’t slow down. Ignoring the threats, Mike soldiered on. He had only run a short distance when he heard “GO TEAM GRAPPA” from behind him. Could it be…?
Scott had made to the army nets still feeling pretty good. His heart was racing but not threatening to explode, his legs were taxed but still had some fuel left in them. So hopping on the bike he was feeling good about himself as he passed a few more people. It wasn’t too long before he saw the familiar “GRAPPA TILL YOU DROPPA” slogan ahead of him. He had caught Mike early on this leg. When he hollered “GO TEAM GRAPPA” as he rode up behind Mike he was answered with “OH SHIT!”
This comment from his buddy made Scott smile and he was in good spirits when he turned the corner and saw that he had an uphill climb ahead of. Scott was not too concerned for he had trained for this. Shifting the bike into an easier gear he rode the hill like a champ even passing a few people walking their bikes. When he rounded the next curve he saw that he had another uphill climb. Shifting the bike again, Scott continued pedaling up the hill, but his smile was gone and his heart began beating a bit faster. Calling on his reserves of energy and determination, he was able to stay on his bike and ascend the hill and round the curve where he was welcomed by ANOTHER FRICKEN HILL!
Determined to stay on the bike, Scott shifted to the easiest gear and pumped the pedals with all the strength he had. He had made it half way up this third hill when his legs did what Mike’s legs just threatened to do. Scott’s legs stopped working, they were too tired and went on strike, forcing Scott to dismount and walk the bike to the crest of the hill.
Luckily this was that last hill Scott had to climb and the remainder of the leg was downhill so he coasted through it until he reached the large inflatable slide. Climbing the slide was fairly easily but when he slid down the other side his foot landed in a large puddle of water so he began the final leg of the race with a “Thud, Squish, Thud, Squish” cadence.
SEVERAL minutes later, Mike made it to the inflatable slides fighting down the bile that threatened from his gut. As with Scott he climbed the slide without too much difficulty and found his bike. His body was tired, his heart was racing, and his legs were throbbing but Mike knew that he needed a stellar performance on this last leg to finish the race with pride. So hopping on his bike he threw it in the hardest gear and pedaled with a demon’s veracity.
What Mike didn’t realize was that Scott was also fighting the bile from rising in his throat and battling extreme fatigue. The uphill bike had drained his body almost completely and he was now just fighting to keep a decent pace until the end of the race.
Halfway through the final leg Mike had not yet caught sight of Scott so he pedaled harder.
Scott could now see the final turn into the beach where the Mud Pit awaited them. Renewed with a surge of energy he picked up his pace.
Mike could now see the final turn into the beach where the Mud Pit awaited them but still no sign of Scott, he wanted to pedal harder but his body was quickly draining of all energy reserves.
Scott was nearing the final 500 yards of the race. Mike had yet to pass him. He had begun to wonder if he would beat his buddy to the Mud Pit when he heard a faint yell from behind him. “go team grappa”.
Mike had finally spotted Scott but he had very little energy left. Not wanting to let down his buddy he called upon every last bit of strength of he had. With a final battle cry he pushed his body to levels of exhaustion he hadn’t experienced before and passed Scott with only 100 yards to spare.
Scott smiled as Mike pedaled past him, his buddy had done a great job and Scott was very proud. Meeting up with Mike at the bike drop off, Scott could tell the he had almost nothing left but gently he urged his friend to finish the final 25 yards jogging. Last year Scott had walked those final yards and has regretted since.
Together the two buddies crawled through the Mud Pit and jogged across the finish line, congratulating each other with high fives.
Finishing Time: 55:49
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