“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” ― Jack Canfield
If there is one thing I’ve learned about the Survival runners in the Fuego y Agua, it is that they live beyond fear. I marvel at their fortitude, their strength, and their…well…craziness! This year, the survival runners ran about 60 miles, up and down both volcanoes, stopping to complete obstacle challenges that included 20 ft. bamboo poles, climbing trees, diving into the lake to get a bracelet attached to a rock, sleeping on top of Maderas volcano, carrying 50 lbs. of firewood on their backs, and other unimaginable challenges that tested them to their limits.
The Fuego y Agua Survival Run Course
Their mantra was “Adapt or die.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 4th, they thought they were only doing the packet pick-up event and the official race would start the next morning at 4:00 am. They registered, received a raw egg, displayed their list of required items for the race, and waited at the start to run, swim to a small island, pick up their race packets, and return to the finish line with their raw egg intact.
And they were off!
Little did they know….the race had only begun! See Maderas volcano looming in the distance? They had to spend the night on top of the volcano.
The obstacle challenge at Tersoro de Pirata the next morning was to swim to the dock, dive under the water, and retrieve a bracelet attached to a rock. They were in their 16th hour and beyond.
Notice the feet of the top three survival runners.
Next stop: Santa Teresa beach bamboo pole carry. They balanced the bamboo pole for miles…even swimming in the lake with it when there was no path along the beach.
Nearing the finish line at Finca San Juan, they swam to an island, gathered 50 lbs. of firewood, swam back to the beach, and ran to the finish line at Santo Domingo beach with the firewood.
Nick hauled his firewood over the finish line after 26 hours of racing. Ben relaxed with a beer after a second place finish. Johnson, arrived next…still smiling! Out of 40 racers who started, there were only four who finished.
“I did not fail…
living on the other side of fear,” Johnson said.
No matter how long it takes…no matter what obstacles they place before me…everything I want is on the other side of fear.
I would be defeeted before the start.
https://retirenicaragua.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_1369.jpg?w=770&h=
Saludos,
Don Cuevas
Hahaha! Defeeted! Love it.
I am so impressed. I love the mantra and I believe I just got a peek of the winner’s mask…the one you had on.
Yes, you did get a peek at the devil’s mask. lol Our neighbor Julio ran in the 25K and he got second place. He gave me his mask, too. I really need to organize my Mask of Fame wall, now.
Four out of forty finish? That’s awesome! ❤ Sonja
Isn’t that incredible? Last year only two finished. They’re getting stronger and braver.
This is so cool. Four out of forty finish? That’s awesome & your friend is one of them. ❤ Sonja
Yes! Johnson is the MAN!
Unbelievable! Love this story and the message…
Thanks so much. There is so much we can accomplish if we live on the other side of fear, right?
Yes! Sometimes, it’s even life-giving/saving to do so.
This is the real “Survivor and Amazing Race” condensed into one incredible race. Just out of curiosity does it get filmed at all?
Gordana, last year for the Survival Run, there was a film crew from Canada. I didn’t see them this year. It’s really difficult to follow the survival runners because they run all over the island, up and down two volcanoes, and at night.