I decided to do the Reign of Terror because it looked very challenging and something I had never done before. Kells is a beautiful location, so I jumped at the chance to do it.
I signed up for it with friends but as we are all at different fitness levels we each ended up doing it at our own pace and getting individual times. In this way nobody felt they were holding anyone back and people wanted to challenge themselves also.
I had absolutely no past experience of obstacle course racing. I have very little running 5 or 10km experience in general and have never done an obstacle course, so that was a lot of the attraction to this event.
My favourite obstacle was ‘Warriors Weir’ because it is very picturesque and also I could hear the announcer so I knew the end was near!! Victory Hill is also an excellent finishing point. It’s very challenging after a gruelling course and you can feel the lactic acid burn on your one last push up the ramp.
I found the River crossing the most challenging because of the cold and shock of the temperature and also after them you are slipping quite a lot as you go through uneven ground and footing.
I didn’t do any specific training for Reign of Terror. Having trained with a hurling team prior to the event it helped build up an aerobic fitness. This along with some strength and endurance from weight training also helped a lot.
The atmosphere at Reign of Terror was fantastic. The announcer, the music, the organisers, the weather and having the Avonmore Protein stall there, all added to the occasion making it a really great day, for young and old.
I was slightly nervous about doing the Reign of Terror, as with any new challenge you don’t know what to fully expect, but it’s great because you can make it what you want it to be. I found it challenging, enjoyable but it’s also definitely tiring!!!
I would advise others who are thinking about doing Reign of Terror to prepare well before with rest, water and diet. Do some 5 and 10kms and build in some obstacles with friends to prepare, then go get after the course and enjoy it. A good night’s sleep before helps a lot too. You will need that energy!
I would really recommend Reign of Terror. It is a great day out. It’s very well organised and ran and there is a lovely atmosphere around. The medieval village of Kells is stunning. As you go around the Reign of Terror course the scenery is beautiful and such a unique setting for a course.
There were so many marshalls and they were very helpful. Some had to give me more than a little encouragement at some obstacles which was very much appreciated at times.
The camaraderie at the event was great. As you ran the course you could hear and visibly see encouragement from old to young and vice versa. There were teenagers doing it with their parents, which was lovely to see.
After completing the course I felt a great sense of achievement and fulfilment followed quickly by exhaustion. I pushed myself so it is like any challenge in life, you get out what you put into it.
I will definitely be doing the Reign of Terror again. I have last year’s time to beat, and also a few friends’ times to beat. 12 months is a long time listening to slagging…..
