MY FIRST HYROX RACE
Hey team, it’s Erin here, Reshape, Ride and Reformer trainer for 1Rebel. I am here to chat about my experience completing my first ever Hyrox open singles race in Nice October 2024.
Hyrox was established in 2017, and over the past seven years it has grown immensely in popularity, attracting elite athletes, fitness professionals, and everyday hardworking people alike. The race is inclusive, absolutely anyone can compete, but it is most definitely a challenge. Consisting of 8KM of running and eight different functional fitness stations, Hyrox is the ultimate test of speed and endurance.
I entered Hyrox to challenge my body and mind, and I was curious to see how I would fare coming from a strong dance and fitness background. My day-to-day training has always consisted of a mix of strength training, running and coaching Ride at 1Rebel, so I felt quite confident that my body would be fairly conditioned for the challenge at hand. I made small changes in my training to become more Hyrox specific, including Hyrox simulations, more running, “easy” zone 2 work and drilling technique for the stations. That being said, there is always room for improvement in training. Now that I have raced, I know exactly what my strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to completing another race.
I found that starting the race, the adrenaline is high, the nerves are high and your energy will naturally be through the roof. It’s important to pace yourself so that you don’t start off too fast and compromise the rest of the race, which is much easier said than done. The beginning felt strong, I was 3KM in, two stations completed, and I felt on top of the world. I averaged five minutes per run and station until I hit the dreaded SLED pull, and really discovered how tough this race would be. Imagine pulling the weight of a baby elephant with all your might, face scrunching up and heart rate rising, just for the rope to keep slipping through your fingertips. This is a station that I definitely need to work on. I was utterly defeated and exhausted, the thought that I still had two thirds of the race to complete hit me like a sack of bricks.
The next 1KM run following the SLED pull was a real ‘what the f**k have I got myself into’ moment. The silver lining is that this is where your mind really takes over from your body. I loved using the runs to chat to myself, hype myself up and spur myself on. I’ve never really been one to get too emotional when it comes to motivating myself or my clients. However, on those runs, I found my mind taking me to very spiritual places, telling myself that every step I took was one step closer to the finish. It helped immensely, it made the difference between pulling back and pushing on, and I know that I’ll be a different coach from experiencing that mental battle now.
In terms of physicality, my advice would be to focus primarily on your running, meaning your “easy” zone 2 runs that build up a solid engine, and your 1KM pace runs into a functional station. At the end of the day, running takes up half of the race, and building that foundation will ensure that your body can always stay in motion. Forwards is a pace, and if we are able to keep moving forward, the race is yours for the taking. A lot of people ask me how I managed a singles race as my first competition, when doubles or relay could have been a great option. Whilst fitness is my profession, going in blind definitely benefited me as I had no idea of the intensity at hand. But you adapt and change your race accordingly. If it’s singles, you’re on your own but you are pacing yourself a lot more. Doubles you have the help and support of a partner, but your intensity during the race is likely higher. Whatever the discipline you chose to take on, know that you can absolutely complete the challenge.
Two thirds into the race, I’d found my rhythm, sunk some Red-bull and hobbled through a few stitches, but I was feeling great again. Towards the end, the thought that ‘I am nearly done, I’ve got this’ really carries you to the finish line. I felt that I had found my pace, I could hold the intensity and I could see the end. Surprisingly, I even enjoyed the lunges, and my final run was my favourite and one of my fastest runs of all. To finish up, the wall balls had me back in my rightful place feeling disgusting. However, it’s the final station and momentum will carry you forward even when you feel as though your body cannot. Although, please try to avoid hitting your judge in the head with your wall ball on its way down, I am so sorry Phillipe from Nice!
All being said, I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes and with absolute elation. I had gone from telling myself that I will never ever do that again, to wanting to come back and beat my previous time. I believe that’s the human condition, always wanting more, and always striving to be better. It’s a blessing and a curse, but it keeps us motivated, driven and active. If you are debating whether to take on your first Hyrox, absolutely go for it. Coming out the other side, I have zero regrets, and I cannot wait to take on the challenge again. Let’s push each other and do this together team. Here’s to 2025 and many more races to come.
Erin