This was by far the most mentally challenging, fun, all over muscle challenging race I've ever done - The physical challenge was intense too of course. I had been prompted by my friend Hobie Call to go try one for at least 2 years. He has been killing it (and winning a lot of money to boot) in the Spartan Races, and I could call him an expert in the field. So I was training for the St George Half Marathon, and my heart was just not in it. Don't get me wrong, I love road races, and will still incorporate them into my training. But I just needed something else right now. I really wanted to write this one down so I have something to reference in the future.
So Hobie convinced me to sign up for the Temecula Super Spartan. I had been doing crossfit, and I felt like my fitness was not superior, but pretty good. It was crazy to see different obstacles online that frankly I had not tried since I was a kid (rope climb, monkey bars) or ever (pulling large concrete blocks, crawling through mud under barbed wire). I am the type of person that always likes to be prepared for a race. But there was a a huge winning purse at this race, and I was just motivated to go try it out. Hey you never know:)
So I wore some tight shorts and my running center jersey - less is better in this race so you don't snag on the barbed wire - and wet clothes become heavy. I had some anti-fatigue pills, shot blocks, and gel for the race.
So my hubby and kids made the trip. I went over quite early with Hobie, and loved seeing how he was a celebrity now. People asked for his picture and autograph all over the place! I understand why - he is amazing. I spent the next couple hours honestly freaking out. What was I doing. There were several of the obstacles at the end of the race there and I got the chance to examine them. Rope climb, concrete block pull, muddy hills, water holes. But worst of all, I saw lane lines in the lake - Crap we were going to be swimming in the lake! I was already cold and it was still drizzling. I almost called jim and freaked out a little bit to him, but I held it in. Oh and it had been raining for 3 days there, and we were going to be running up and down a huge muddy mountain. I was visibly shaking before the race started! What had I gotten myself into!
I had signed up to race in the elite women's heat, and the men's elite were leaving 30 min before. After that, heats left every 30 min all day (and on Sunday). So there were about 7500 racers there! This sport has grown huge!
When it was our turn, I was able to scope out the competition. I was so happy to meet people there that I had read about Margeret "Dirt in Your Skirt", Jenny ? (last year's championship winner), and lots of other really fun happy ladies. I totally needed it! My nerves calmed a little bit by the time we got sent off. I just looked up the mountain we were about to climb and said to myself ,"Just run up this thing and take things as they come". Right out of the gate, a few ladies took off pretty fast. We got some easier obstacles right off - over walls, under walls, through walls. Then right up the hill/ Mud trail. I knew my nerves were affecting my breathing as I was already breathy halfway up. But no one was with me at all. I had a good lead by the top.
Obstacles -
Wall #2 and 3 - managed them all right -
run down hill and got some distance - could only see former champ Jenny behind me.
#4 - Monkey Bars - I thought I'd be fine til I felt the rain on the bars. Slip:(
for each obstacle you don't complete you get 30 burpees - chest to the ground, jump when you stand - so I got 30 burpees and jenny passes me. I watch as she takes them slower and matches her hands on each bar. Wish I would've thought of that. The burpees already felt hard at this point. And they take sooo much time and really tire you out!
More downhill running to
#5 Mud Hills into water/mud pits - - 3 of them - harder than they look - water wasn't too cold yet
#6 band around ankles - hop over bales of hay
Jenny had gained some ground on me - crap! but the race was far from over. All of the running in this race was either steep up or steep down. It really was intense! I seemed to be gaining a little on the uphills, but she was doing awesome.
We were about mile 2 at this point.
#7 Tire pull - pull out til rope is straight, and then pull it back with the rope. My breathing was crazy after this - had to calm myself down.
#8 Sand bucket carry - fill 5 gallon bucket with sand and carry over and down steep muddy hill. This one killed everyone. I was catching up to some of the elite men at this point. I had to rest a few times.
#9 Mud Crawl/barbed wire - Water was being dumped on the course via fire hose too. lots of mounds, water holes as you go. It seemed like it took forever! I rolled and crawled. It was crazy!!
We were back down the mountain and back to the starting point. about 3ish miles
#10 Wall traverse - I knew that another set of burpees would kill me, so i hung on for dear life - and made it! whoo hoo
I had caught up to Jenny here and passed . Maybe she fell off the wall. As I was passing I slapped her butt (as I would do with any of my friends in a race). I don't think she was thrilled lol. I was just giving her some encouragement.
#11Sandbag carry up and down hill - not too bad.
Run back up the mountain - I seriously had to walk a bit here - I was still passing guys like crazy too. Jenny was keeping with me a bit.
#12 More wall climbs at the top of the mountain
5 miles
#13 Tire Flip - flip large tire over once and then back - the women's didn't seem too heavy.
#14 concrete block pull with chain
#15 net climb - total cake
6 miles
#16 - concrete block carry/ 5 burpees/ carry it back
#17 - another net climb
More steep hills - :( I was way out of breath No girls were close at this point and I was running on pure addrenaline
#18 At the top of the next mountain I encountered the 8 ft wall - CRAP I was sooo tired. I tried to get up and my arms were jello. A guy came up and gave me a boost over and I couldn't stop thanking him! And again on the next 8 ft wall:) Guess I have something to work on.
7 miles - I was getting so close! I was at the top of the mountain amd could see the finish line. I was soo exhausted, but I was going to get first unless something awful happened. I sprinted down the muddy trail, somehow getting down safely. It was homestretch - I was in tears because of what I had just done - I can do hard things! little did I know....
They had totally stacked the last part with tons of obstacles - and they were the worst.
8 miles -
#20 wooden balance poles - held my balance but it was hard - they were muddy and you had to go from one to the next - burpees are so much harder so I toook it slow and stuck them
#21 100m swim - no big deal right? um its freaking january! I didn't know what to expect, but I jumped right in. Everyone who knows me knows I hate cold water. AHHHHHH freaking out! It was so much colder than i would've expected., I tried front crawl but my bod was shutting down. I look over at the army volunteers in the boat and i said I can't move. One sweet guy talked me through the rest - telling me I could do it and to relax. I close my eyes, said a prayer, and side stroked most of the rest of the way. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over me as I felt a warm calm settle over me. What an awesome experience. I was elated to get to the end of the water and know I was done with the worst (right?).
#22 mud hill into water 3times
#23 army crawl under barbed wire into water pit and then
#24 incline wall climb
#25 Hurculean hoist - now I had watched this online - thought that I could muscle through it. its a concrete block hooked to a rope and pulley - you have to pull the rope til it lifts to the top. I tried it - didn't budge!! I put all of my weight into it, people were yelling out tips, the crowd was cheering. I couldn't get it up! (I think I was too close and just didn't have the right technique) I opted for burpees and they took everything I had left to do them.
#26 spear throw - I had no idea how to do this - you get one shot. mine hit the target sideways lol. Crap 30 more burpees!!! I was numb and not really there at this point. I was pukey, and wondering how I was going to finish.
#27rope climb out of the water - umm yeah - so I knew that if I had to do more burpees, #2 would probably catch up. I had to stick this. I was so physically drained, I didn't know how I could. I got my feet up, pulled, and on and on. I made it to the top know and the bell was quite a bit above it. There was no way I was coming down. The crowd was cheering me on and It took everything I had but I hit that bell! I was home free!
#28 fire jump
#29 gladiators
I was done and had won my first Spartan!!!! It had all paid off ($2000 for first - thank you!!!!!:)), and I couldn't believe I had done all that! The feeling at the end of this was so different than I had felt - The feeling of completing such a hard thing was amazing!! I m looking forward to training for my next one. I have some work to do for sure - Those burpees took at least 2 min each time I had to do them, if not more. but I'm hooked!
The men had a super close race to the end, but Hobie took it again. They finished over half an hour before me lol.
I'm so impressed with the Spartan Race Directors, the organization, the encouragement, volunteers, etc. I think everyone needs to try at least one in the their life. | 