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Adam Corke of Red Beach entered the Ultimate Athlete obstacle course race last year so he could share the experience with his 12-year-old daughter; but, to his surprise, it qualified him for the world champs.
The former police detective spends a lot of time rock climbing and enjoys running, and this fitness and upper body strength helped him place fourth overall in the event and second in the 35-49 age group.
He took a lot of positives away from Ultimate Athlete, but that wasn’t the end of it. A few weeks ago, out of the blue, he was told that he had been selected to represent NZ in the Obstacle Course World Championships in Costa Rica in August.
Although TV programmes like Australian Ninja Warrior (short course obstacle racing) are very popular here, and obstacle course racing is huge internationally, the sport is in its fledgling stages in NZ with only a handful of qualifying events, including the Ultimate Athlete.
“It was a total surprise to be offered a place on the team, but it is a great opportunity to publicise the sport and show there’s a pathway for Kiwis,” Adam says.
The team may get a small amount of government funding, but the costs of getting to Costa Rica are high. Rather than ask for handouts, Adam wants to earn his way by offering his ‘side hustle’ which is making presentations in workplaces, organisations and retirement villages on mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.
He wants to dispel myths about the practice and expand awareness.
“My definition is ‘paying attention to what you’re doing in the present moment, without judgment’,” he says, adding that it’s very helpful when rock climbing and for obstacle course racing too.
“I practiced mindfulness for years to relieve stress, and my presentations look at how I applied it to my own life in a practical way.”
“I got into it because I met a couple of people at a key point in my life and that was a catalyst, so maybe my talk could be helpful for someone else,” he says.
The Obstacle Course World Championship 3km short course has 20 obstacles with plenty of overhead hanging moves, wall climbs, crawling through mud, carrying heavy objects and running up a ‘Ninja Warrior’ type warped wall. But he is not daunted.
“I have good people supporting me, and am preparing as best I can. I apply mindfulness principles, paying attention to my body and any niggles or injuries,” he says. “The sport requires coordination, balance and natural movement as well as strength – so I am focused on all those things.”
To have Adam present his talk, and help him raise funds, email adam@stressreductionguy.co.nz He also has a Givealittle page – look for ‘Please help Adam get to the ocr world champs’. Info: www.nzosa.org/
