17/06/2024
๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ๐ด ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ธ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ณ๐ถ๐ฆ!
๐ฆ๐ธ๐ป๐ต๐ญ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐ธ๐ท๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฎ, ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฒ๐ท!!
I have had a number of life-changing moments in recent years โ with 2023 being pretty much at the top of the list. In 2023, I did something Iโd never even contemplated โ I got to represent Australia at a World Championships sporting event! Not only did I get to represent Australia, I ended up getting two of Australiaโs medals at that event!
Words cannot express how I felt then โ and now as I reflect back on that moment. Letโs just say it was a buzz of the best feelings ever!!
It was beyond a dream come true โ because I never had such a dream!!
Sometimes an experience is just beyond comprehension โ something that surprises and surpasses any and all expectations. Being at the World OCR Championships was one of them! (OCR = Obstacle Course Racing).
What made the experience even more special was being able to share it with my lovely partner, Michael โhe also qualified for and participated in the 2023 World OCR Championships!
Whatโs exciting is that we have both qualified for this yearโs 2024 World OCR Championships! Two years running! WOW!!!
Having attended the World Championships last year, we have a way better idea of what to expect! So the training and race preparation has been in full swing. And as a result, we have both improved so much over the last year since we first qualified.
Weโve been in a few events since the 2023 Worlds and have each had podium finishes in every event weโve been in! We are fitter, faster, and stronger - and continue to make improvements!
From our first event in 2020, weโve come a long way. Weโve both grown so much in terms of:
1. mental toughness (applying much of my training as a Sport Psychologist โ so I fully live and apply the theory! As well as the theory weโve learned since doing the coach training that got me into doing this sport โ if youโre interested to find out more, send me a DM),
2. even more disciplined and committed to our training (Michael is a machine!!)
3. getting a lot leaner and healthier (my visceral fat levels have halved ๐๐ป),
4. joining a ninja gym to upskill ourselves and where training has never been so much fun, and
5. have met a great community of like-minded OCR athletes ๐ ๐โโ๏ธ
Training for this type of event is hard work โ and thereโs lots of it: running, gym workouts lifting heavy weights, climbing, swinging, jumping, and all sorts of fun and games! There are bruises and blisters and sore muscles and sometimes feeling just a bit tired ๐ Then thereโs the cost of getting to the event: travel, accommodation, registration fees, uniforms. And weโre not spring chickens anymore, so our bodies need a bit of a tune-up to keep us in good form.
Iโm asking if youโd match our hard work by making a contribution to our fundraiser (tax deductible here in Australia โ so this time of the year is a good time to donate ๐ ) to support us to be at our best to represent the land down under:
https://asf.org.au/donate/patrea-o-donoghue/patrea-and-michael-world-championships-2024
Whether or not you are able to donate at this time, Iโd really appreciate you sharing this post / link far and wide with friends, family and work colleagues ๐
Thank-you for your support!!! ๐๐ป
