All photos courtesy Annette Barry/HYROX
She admits to being slightly obsessive compulsive when it comes to exercising.
However, what might possibly be considered a character flaw propelled Annette Barry to a second place finish in her age category at the HYROX World Championips last month in Stockholm, Sweden.
Barry, a phys ed teacher at St. Joseph’s High School in St. Thomas called her time of one hour and 14 minutes in the 60-64 age category a “pretty cool experience.”
Competing against close to 100 other women from around the world.
That, in itself, is pretty remarkable, stressed Barry.
HYROX combines running with eight functional exercises in a timed competition.
While a second place finish is an outstanding personal achievement, agreed Barry, what truly needs to be celebrated is the process.
And, stressed Barry, her result in Stockholm was the result of a team effort.
By winning a HYROX event in Ottawa the month previous, she earned the right to compete at the HYROX World championships.
However, the Ottawa event was a challenge in itself.
“So in Ottawa, I came first in my age division, but I became very sick on the Tuesday before the event. And so, I competed in less than perfect health. And, you know, once the gun went off, I think adrenaline kicked in. I didn’t feel sick, wasn’t coughing during the event.”
Barry admitted that the reception from her students at St. Joe’s gave her goosebumps.
Her return from Stockholm coincided with the end of the school year, an emotional time for Barry.
“This time of year is kind of sad for me because I send students off that I’ve had the privilege of being a part of their lives for four years and when they were in front of me on the last day of school I said you know if someone had given me a chance to do it all over again I would do nothing different.”
As for what is next, Barry gave no indication of slowing the pace in the immediate future.
“I’m all for, you know, mixing it up a bit. So I think I haven’t done it yet. And assuming I stay healthy and uninjured, because you got to balance that, right? I will likely do a half marathon in the fall, probably the Railway City Road Race to support the local event.
“Balancing is is the key right now. At my age it is knowing when to rest and knowing when to push it.
“I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having been able to experience it. I realize that I’m very privileged that I was able to go and that it was my result. But like I said before, there’s a tribe of people behind me that are part of it.”
