RANT AGAINST OCR HATERS

I was listening to a running podcast the other day when the conversation among the hosts and guest - a marathoner - briefly turned to mud and obstacle racing.

"Oh, don't get me started on that," said the guest, followed by laughter all around, a few quick comments about how he couldn't stand it and then they moved on.

I know I should be all zen about haters. I know "haters gonna hate" and "sticks and stones" and "I'm gonna let it roll off," etc. Well, bullsh#t.
It makes my blood boil. Not so much because they don't like it or it's not for them. That would fine. It's that it seems more often than not their hatred is illogical and based on the fact that it is different than what they do.

On another podcast, I heard someone dismiss obstacle races, saying it might become a sport, but it would never carry the weight of something like the Boston Marathon. I'm sure you've heard them, too: Obstacle races are no way as grueling as a marathon. Obstacle racing is a fad that will go away - once you've done it, why do it again?

It sounds a lot like the dismissive arguments once made about rap, snowboarding and alternative rock. (Ouch, I think I just showed my age.) It's almost like a lot of runners feel threatened by obstacle racing in much the same way many in boxing have felt threatened and tried to dismiss mixed martial arts (I'm looking at you, Jim Lampley). If running is your thing, that's fine. That's what you enjoy. Do it. Embrace it. Love it. But you don't need to tear down others. While some might enjoy running, others of us find running boring. We love the added physical and mental challenge of an obstacle race. In the interest of not promoting hating, I'll avoid the running is checkers, obstacle racing is chess comparison . . .

For those who really think there's nothing more brutal than a marathon: Oprah Winfrey and Pam Anderson have completed marathons. And good for them. But I'd like to see them try a Spartan Beast.

For those who think obstacle racing is a fad, that once you do it, why do it again, consider that once you've run a marathon, why run one again? Or once you've skied down a mountain, why do it again? Besides the "fun" of running a course, most people like to test themselves and push themselves again and again, much like regular runners. And it's a rush. A high. Perhaps like that (I think nonexistent) runner's high.

For those who say it'll never be a real sport, you might be right. But back in the early- to mid-1980s, nobody looked at skateboarding or snowboarding and envisioned the X Games. And only a few years in, we've already had the Spartan World Championship on TV. If you think obstacle racing isn't spectator-friendly or television-friendly enough, consider that it is no less spectator- or television-friendly than the Tour de France or Ironman, both of which get good television coverage. 

Obstacle racing might not be for you. And that's fine. But more than a million people and counting have found it fun, challenging and rewarding. It has tapped into something that needed an outlet. It might never be a major sport. But it's not going anywhere.