I loved it. It was probably the best challenge I have ever done and I think I’m hooked. I like to always create newer, harder challenges for myself each year. This was a very legit one. I had no idea the crazy amount of straight up mountain climbing that would be involved. It seemed like we ran (ok walked) up and down the mountain 5 different times at least. Once carrying a 50 pound sandbag-perhaps the hardest challenge. A Green Beret commented to Joe DeSena that the Barbed Wire Crawl(while getting sprayed in the face with dirty, rusty water) had been harder than any in his military training. Who is Joe DeSena?
I was plodding along about halfway through the race and there was this annoying guy, telling his buddies how he had raced all over the world, thousand mile races, blah, blah, blah. But this race was kicking his butt cause he didn’t eat his Wheaties or something. I tried to get ahead of him so I wouldn’t have to listen to him anymore. Then came the Stump Jump. Jump from stump to small stump without falling off or do 30 penalty burpees. Carefully I almost made it then that guy. “Hey you guys need to hurry up, we’re waiting back here.” Lost my concentration on the last stump. Crap. While doing my 30 Burpees I see the guy relaxing taking his time on the stump jump, No one behind him rushing him. Finishing. No burpees. Laughing and jogging off down the trail.
Who is this guy? So the race continues. Sometimes I pull ahead, sometimes he pulls ahead. He’s always talking to the other racers. He seems to know everyone. Finally I catch on from the conversation that he’s the founder of The Spartan Race. So now I’m curious but I still didn’t know he was a big deal. Since we keep running next to each other on the trail I introduce myself and we start talking. Well it turns out he has a brilliant fitness philosophy that I agree with. “We should move like humans.” We should run,walk,crawl, climb, jump, etc.” I told him how after years of bodybuilding I realized the limitations of muscle isolation training. I looked good but lacked core strength, stability and cardio until I embraced Endurance training a couple years ago and started my Kick Butt Boot Camp. After listening to Joe’s stories and ideas for a while as we continued the race I ended with a respect and admiration for his accomplishments and what he’s done to push people way beyond their previous limits and in the right fitness direction. It’s been proven as Spartan Race Competitors keep raising the bar of whats possible that our physical limits are truly only in our minds.
The Spartan Beast was a First Class, well run event with a tasty lunch, nice T-shirt and medallion at the finish line. The winners received special replica Spartan Helmets and Swords at an awards ceremony which included a “Feats Of Strength” demonstration by a musclebound bodyweight exercise prodigy named Hannibal .“The only Obstacle Racing franchise treating it like a real race.” according to Joe. I agree. Especially with timing chips, mandatory 30 burpees for missing obstacles, and big cash prizes. Keep doing what your doing Spartan Guys. I’ll be back for more.
Wow, I never witnessed this spartan beast race because that day is the my cousin’s birthday. So, I can’t attend and join the race. I choose to be with my closest cousin’s brithday. But I saw the pics and it was really great. Two thumbs up for that !