Spartan Sprint Race

I did my first Spartan Race this weekend!  I never thought I would ever do one of these.  But a bunch of my Star Wars peoples were convinced by one of our "Rey's" that this would be fantastic and we could do it!  So we all signed up and we all participated in the Spartan Sprint DC.  (Not the stadium event.  The out-in-the-woods-get muddy-and-hurt-yourself DC Sprint).  We ordered team shirts and had a joint RL/501st cog on the front, and the back of our shirts were an homage to Rogue One. Our team was called Star Wars Legions and Friends.

Before - all clean.  The backs of our shirts say, "I'm here because Cassian said I had to"

I thought we had a 0830 start time.  I arrived around 7 or so, to find out our start time was 0930.  No worries cuz I got to look around and see how these events operate.  I also got to see the elite men and women top 3 finishers.  We gathered for our before picture, then soon was time to go to the start corral for our wave.  Come to find out, Spartan events put an obstacle in your way prior to even getting in the corral!! 

Me attempting to get in the corral

Oh, and your bib is your headband!

I honestly did not know what to expect.  I knew it would be hard, but I had no idea how hard.  Our "Sprint" was about 4.25 miles by Spartan measurements.  But they don't count the laps we do for challenges.  I attempted all 20 obstacles, but I could not finish about 7 of them.  But I attempted each one, even if that meant literally touching the rope or bucket, and moving on to do the burpees!  We also split the burpees, or just said forget it with the burpees. In the end, we did over 5 miles with obstacles in between walking.

Me after the Hercules Hoist

I totally enjoyed the miles and miles in the woods.  We had 2 or 3 areas that were a total drop off and you had to scoot down on your butt because you couldn't get a foot hold.  There was lots of water and mud, and one area that I was up to my waist in mud.  I was not prepared at ALL for the amount of inclines on this trail.  So many uphills!  But you know what - I did them all.  I slipped and fell twice in the mud, and hurt my knee a little bit coming down off of a wall. Overall, this was an amazing experience.

I am the far end with the pony tail.  This is the Hercules Hoist.  I nailed it!

As a runner, I had the leg work and endurance I needed for this.  But upper body strength - I have zero.  I know I need to work on upper body.  I was always leery of doing these events because of the fear of injury.  But if you do this as a team, you have the other members of your team there to help you out on the obstacles.  I could not imagine doing one of these solo.  NO way. There is even a large hose off area at the end, too.

 

Me at the top of that cargo net 

If I could leave you with some beginner tips and things, it would be these:

1.  Eat more than you think you need before your event.  There is only water on course.  No gels or bars or burgers.  Or find a way to take gels or bars with you in protective baggies or something.
2.  Camelbacks might work for you, but I found rolling like a log under the barbed wire MUCH easier than the military crawl thing.  Water bottles won't really work, either, IMHO. 
3.  Be prepared to get dirty and wet.  Everywhere.  Wear long pants or capris with socks if you like your legs covered.  Wear compression or OCR socks.
4.  If you think you are fit or have a high level of fitness, you do not.  This will put your endurance and strength work to the test.  Only one of our team was 100% on the obstacles.
5.  Try one of these events! 
6.  Train for these.  It's not enough to run and do some occasional strength work.  Find some functional training and incorporate that as well. 
7.  Along with the very heavy Spartan finisher medal, you also get a piece of the corresponding Trifecta medal.  The trifecta is doing all 3 Spartan category of events in the same calendar year. So for this one, I got the red Sprint pie piece.
8.  Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind having to throw out when you are done.  I'm not trying to salvage my shoes.  I'm attempting to salvage my capris and socks!
9. Bag check is $5 and you can bring your own bag.  I did not know this.  There is also a truck with various sized lockers you can rent starting at $10. 
10.  Read the event website for all information you may need, and ask questions to someone who you know has done one of these before.  This was all new to me!

Overall, so glad that I did this event!  It is overwhelming, but worth it.  You can train for these.  Just don't go in thinking you will win or anything, unless you have been doing these events and can compete at their elite level, and sign up at the elite level.  Not sure right now if this is a one-and-done for me or not.  We shall see.  I might want to try for that Trifecta......Next year........

Star Wars Legions and Friends fire jump finale

Our funny finisher photo