1. Will B. wrote...

What an amazing weekend this is going to be. 7.1k trail? Good luck to the individual competitors.
too bad I didn't qualify, as I'm sure I coulda placed in the top 100!

2. randy 5280 wrote...

i just watched 40+ min of that video and im not even going to be there to watch or compete. i cant believe how tough that run will be, dave took 49+ min to run the 7.15km course. this will break some folks down!!!! no joke, good luck to all and be safe!

3. will wrote...

Justin Riley will dominate this run. He is a beast and cannot be stopped.

4. Ash wrote...

great idea...how am i supposed to watch an hour long video when I am getting ready to board a plane to Aromas.......can someone just make sure my body makes it back to SA.

5. Brett wrote...

Watch Out for Steve Willis people that run has got nothing on the Aussie qualifier's sand dunes!

6. Lee wrote...

Pretty dang cool. Will there be an opportunity for the athletes to walk the course or preview the terrain in any other way than watching Dave run it in the video? I guess that would make it less unknown.

7. Brett wrote...

Dave, check out Sony's wearable MP3 no cords - awesome for WODs with lifting and no stinking Itunes software.

8. KLowe wrote...

Training for the Mountain Mist race is going to payoff HUGE for Russell Berger...... WATCH OUT FOR THE DIRTY SOUTH!

I've got a plane to catch...see yall in Aromas!

9. Kris Shamloo wrote...

Damn right watch out for the Dirty South.

10. Russell Pettypiece wrote...

I just threw up in my mouth watching that video....Canada East Qualifiers already did a 5km train run through mud and streams and shit...

11. Jeff wrote...

Sweet run....Megan MacLellan will dominate this for the women. She won the Canada East run with no shoes on for the last 500m!

12. Andrew wrote...

I didn't realize we were turning into Adventure Racing.

13. Vic wrote...

Wow! I do envy those, who will be there as competitors or even spectators! Have fun! Can't wait for the results and the videos!
Best regards from Bulgaria!

14. knox wrote...

I love the trail run but what about the athletes that left for the games already and didn't bring gaiters or skins or shoes with big knobs? What about scuba tanks, climbing harnesses etc? I know CFer's are supposed to be ready for anything but you can't pack a closet full of gear. The competitors that are a short drive to the games are at a real advantage. Just a thought.

15. kent wrote...

I wanna see Tony B do the run. Andrew unknown and unknowable

16. Dominic wrote...

Looks tough and also fun. We sort of guessed something like this would happen after Castro kept harping on time dimension sin that Journal video.

17. Walter_Sobchak wrote...

5 events in one day!
3 events the following day!

Seems like overkill until you take into account that this is supposed to determine the fittest person on the planet! Everything (training, diet, rest, mental state, etc)will have to be perfect to win the 2009 games. It will also take a good bit of luck. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.

Best of luck to all the competitors. May everyone stay safe.

18. Donald Rumsfeld wrote...

Now THIS is what I was talking about! -Love, Don

19. John Gillis wrote...

Wow this is goin to crush people. Good luck to all the competitors, I'm sure glad I don't have to run it in that heat.

20. JamesH wrote...

Is this for the Team event or for individuals?

21. craig wrote...

exactly.how the hell are the competitors that have boarded planes 2 days ago to travel across the world gonna get all this new kit that has been advised!!!!!!!!

22. Geoff wrote...

Speaking from the standpoint as someone traveling from abroad to compete, the key for me was to pack for the unknowable. Under armor pants, long socks, two pairs of sneakers, etc. Obviously you can't bring everything, but you can pack smart. Being prepared for the unknown is part of the challenge. Whether or not it helps with this hill run, who knows, but i don't think using a car would help!

23. Jason wrote...

JamesH, seriously? Did you compare the early disclosures for the team and individual events? This is for the individual event.

24. jer wrote...

you're going to seriously tell me people boarded planes without running shoes?? really...??

go to a mall if you have to - you'll be fine. I also hear that Skins is going to have some products for sale at the games, so if you need it, it's there...

good luck to all the individuals!

25. Tom wrote...

Trail running's a lot of fun, but I'd imagine we're gonna see some unexpected faces emerge as the leaders. In cycling at least, anything over 140lbs is considered big for a climbing specialist. This event is gonna be way harder on the big guys and gals than a 7k road run...

Either way, it's gonna shake things up quite a bit. The second event appears to involved heavy lifting, so I'd imagine that'll even things out.

26. The Pie wrote...

Don't forget kids that the games are held in California....not some completely out of the way outpost in Alaska. I'm sure every athlete has a mean to get to the games from a hotel and therefore can drive to a shoe store to purchase a pair of trail running shoes if they feel they absolutely need it.

For me these guys can do no wrong. I love how the video ended off. Awesome. Great first test that will no doubt set the tone for the rest of the day. As much as lighter guys have an advantage in the hill climbs I know some pretty bad ass trail runners that are coming in over 180. If you have the lactic capacity and athleticism for the downhills you should do fine.
I would also suggest the winner of the run, unless its speal, is not going to win the games as I'm sure a specialist will emerge. Just like the winner of the second event is just as unlikely. I would say the winner is coming from somebody in the top 10 after the first two events.

27. Richard wrote...

Convenient that Skins will be selling product there, and it's been recommended twice already in posts.

I hope Panda Express will have Energy Boost Sweet and Sour Pork for sale at the site as I'm sure it will be strongly recommended in the post about Sunday's events.

28. Tom wrote...

Well, I'm only 20 minutes into the video, but up till now it looks like regular running shoes will work just fine...

29. Tom wrote...

Also, I hope to god that the second event doesn't involve heavy squats or thrusters!!!

30. Karin (35, 5'3",143) wrote...

I predict DLs for the second event... you know, because the hammies won't be at all taxed from the first event (sarcasm)...

31. Jason wrote...

Tom would you settle for timed progressively heavier deadlifts? :)

32. Tom wrote...

Jason -- yes!

And here's a motion: if the winner of the run gets all 20 deads, he/she should automatically be crowned the camp!

33. Tom wrote...

Jason -- yes!

And here's a motion: if the winner of the run gets all 20 deads, he/she should automatically be crowned the camp!

34. JamesH wrote...

Sorry to sound dense to you, Jer, but my friends who are participating didn't believe me when I texted them the info. In fact, I have a feeling they think I am dumb because they think it's for the Team race. I tried to tell them, I really did, like to go shopping for some mole skin in case they get blisters going up that big hill, etc. Take care, and thanks.
: )

35. Adam Eve wrote...

For POSE running he sure is heel striking with an alarming frequency>?

36. DrC wrote...

RE: shoe choices, if it weren't for the road part at the beginning of the run, I would recommend some cross country spikes. I think they have some with removable spikes, but still some burly tread that might work. Superlight as well, compared to bulky trail runners.

37. Erik wrote...

Great Programming! What hype! Classic "Prisoner's Dillemma" on the first two events, IMHO! I predict Pelotons of runners...

38. Brett replied to comment from JamesH...

Silly Law school grads.
Go get some!

39. Chris wrote...

Really???
We have WOD's that are dedicated to Heros. Most of which at some point in their life had to endure more pain and discomfort in one day of their training than a little rash or chafing ontheir leg. They also had to do everything in BOOTS. No awesome super light trail running shoes for these guys. All these men and women are competitors, it will be the ones with the "Warrior" spirit that end up on the podium.

To steal part of a quote from Happy Gilmore
"My feet hurt"
"Well now your back's gonna hurt cause you have to deadlift 455lbs for reps"

The only easy day yesterday...

40. avitevet wrote...

8 events is still 2 less than a decathlon, which is held over 2 days as well. So it sounds to me like competitors are getting off easy!

41. dougfir1 wrote...

Somehow, even doing two less events than a decathlon, I don't think the competitors will feel like they have not been tested to the max by the time they finish...

42. Laurie replied to comment from Geoff...

Winning attitude!

43. Geoff wrote...

I think just for fun the run should be full contact. Then you will truly see who the toughest competetor is!

44. Nathan Magniez replied to comment from Geoff...

I concur...

45. Sensei wrote...

Yea, You really can't whine about this when everytime we walk into our box and do our best we say that we are training to be the fittest on the planet. Constantly varied babay!! So proud of all the competitors!

Shout out for Dawn from CrossFit Wilmington, you are gonna kill it girl!!

BE SAFE! BE CROSSFIT!

Let the fun begin!

46. jen replied to comment from Donald Rumsfeld...

Donald Rumsfeld?

47. Lou wrote...

I watched first ten minutes of the "run" -- not really clear on the course planning of the turn at 500 meters and at approximately 1200 meters .....just take 'em straight into the brush.....no patience for the road running.....right into the brush and see who's left on the other side.

48. Jim Curtis wrote...

Is this the one time for gloves. Falling down in poison oak is not fun. Been there done that. I grew up in California. Touch the stuff and then scratch where it itches. Owwwwwwwww

49. D wrote...

Good Luck to Team Lalanne Fitness!

50. Dick Cheney wrote...

I did this run on my last hunting expedition