My Super Spartan Partner Laura
This weekend I competed in a Super Spartan Race with a high school running partner. The race was a 8+mile run with obstacles. Some of those obstacles were, jumping over fire, crawling under barb wire in mud, climbing 10ft wall, pulling and pushing 80-100lbs weights and fighting pass gladiators to name a few of the 16 obstacles. I knew the fire had to be safe, but it was still scary to think about.
Since August I have been doing my Crossfit workouts at Core Crossfit. We do short, high intensity workouts, I had not run 8 miles in several years. When I decided to do the race my only intention was to complete the race, I didn't care how long it took me. As the race got closer I started to wonder if I was blissfully unaware of what I signed up for.
The Monday before the race I went on a 6 mile run. I stopped every half mile and did air squats, push ups or sit ups (to get me ready for obstacles). I felt really good and more confident in my fitness level. I was very excited for the race and now only worried about being hit by one of the gladiators at the finish line...
As we started the race we pretty quickly got into a good running pace. We waited for each at each obstacle and cheered each other on. At mile four we both felt really good and proud of our speed. It was at that obstacle that we were forced to wait about 20 minutes or so due to a back log of competitors. We were required to pull these weights on ropes. I was told they weight both 80 and 100 lbs. I don't know what is true but either way- they were heavy. It was at this obstacle that I got hot, a little light headed waiting in the sun (it was not a water station site) and I hadn't even done the pull yet. After this obstacle with my legs burning I had a moment of doubt.
My legs felt like jello my mouth was so dry and I really questioned if I could run another 4 miles with obstacles. But once again we started running and got a steady pace and within about a half mile I felt amazing. I remember thinking that this particular challenge really proven to me I am capable of doing much more if I keep pushing through my doubts/fear.
The next challenging obstacle was a 10 ft wall with one little block nailed to the wall to jump on to help get you over. On this obstacle they gave you a chance to do it and if you failed you did a penalty of 30 sit ups. My negative mind frame (I'm too short to ever get over that wall) was in full force (bad habits). I asked if I could just go straight to penalty. I was told no, so I gave it a shot and I did it. Again I was right back on cloud nine!
The last two miles were hard, but I knew if we just kept moving as soon as we saw spectators we would get some energy from them. It was near the end my Bug, in pink with a pink balloon cheered me on... Then finally the gladiators posted as you cross the finish line. My most feared obstacle. There were four of them, two with padded clubs and two without clubs. I had decided before the race I would run right towards them so their hits would be more of a push then a hit because I was so close.
As I enter the gladiator arena (it's super small) I smiled and with my arms tucked in sheepishly race towards one of them. He gave me a little body check and push me through. Then the gladiator with the club did try to hit me but my strategy worked and it was just a push- relief...
My performance in the race really speaks to the Crossfit training and paleo diet! It's now a day after the race and I feel awesome. I'm so thankful that my gym, coaches, Tommy, Erica and the 5:30AM class continue to push me. In the past 7 months my body composition has changed, I've seen a drop in my weight and increase in muscle. I have a "before" photo of me taken when I started in August. I was half temped to share it today. But I think I'll wait for my year anniversary to do that. I still have some work to do!
I entered this competition thinking I would do it just once. Now I'm wondering if I want to travel to another location to do it again... The journey continues...