My experience of HYROX
On Sunday March 4th, I competed The Hyrox Challenge at The Hydro in Glasgow.
I did this as a team event with Barry Stephen. We agreed to do this a team on a drunken night out in Porto! Barry had completed a solo event before and I needed to make sure that I was able to keep up with him, and whilst the event itself was tough going we did enjoy it and completed it in a time of 1 hour and 12 minutes.
The layout was…
Run 1k
Ski-Erg 1k
Run 1k
Sled Push 50m
Run 1k
Sled Pull 50m
Run 1k
Burpee Broad Jump 80m
Run 1k
Row 1k
Run 1k
Farmers Carry 200m
Run 1k
Sandbag Lunges 100m
Run 1k
Wall Balls x100
Each event had a different structure and challenge. Going from one activity to another was difficult. We worked well as a team so that we weren’t fatigued to the point that is detrimentally affected our performance.
My initial target was to get between 1 hour 20 and 1 hour 25, so to have taken over 10 minutes off of that time was extremely satisfying.
The physical challenge was extremely tough and the mental element of pushing my body to the limit was just as hard.
This journey for me represented the full circle element of physical activity. In 2017 I played my last ever game of football as a professional. One year and 3 operations later I retired due to injury.
I had an inguinal hernia which sounds not too bad, but the toll this took on me was incredible. There were stages where I thought my body would never recover to even be able to use a gym, never mind train to this level.
Literally, I had to use my pyjamas to pull my legs into position to then brace myself to stand up. This was a first thing in the morning task that we can all take for granted but when it is taken away from you, you appreciate how much you need your body to function and work for you.
This was the full circle element from professional footballer (athlete) to immense pain and disability, working myself day in and day out, week in and week out to try and improve myself .
One day at a time.
For me doing activities in the gym built me back up, it allowed me to climb Ben Nevis and do Tough Mudder.
Hyrox was a different kettle of fish.
These guys are athletes that are not only fit, but fit and strong, mobile and dedicated to what their craft is.
6 years ago I never thought this could be something that I could think about doing, training for, competing in or finishing.
Never mind the exhilaration I got from being able to beat even my best predicted time.
If you are a man reading this, and you feel that everything I have said above is you in terms of injury, illness, fitness level or ability, and you feel you cannot do certain things, this blog is to tell you that if you have time, commitment, support, effort and guidance that you can achieve anything.
This is what I have done and I train to be able to do things (anything) I want to do when and where and when I choose.
Sure enough, I am now looking to sign up for my next one!
The preparation for this event was hard, and in my next blog I will cover my training and what it entailed, this is definitely one to read as I will give my opinion and feelings for this type of training for general members of the public and the pros (some) and cons (a lot) of what was involved.
