Why Obstacle Racing? Drastic change is what I call it. In 2011 I was in a downfall situation in life, but when Spartan Race entered my timeline at Glen Rose, Texas I completely changed my life upward. Spartan Race taught me look at different views and philosophies. Life is an obstacle race and it can be perfectly smooth at one moment, but then one hits issues. Overcoming the obstacle just depends on the person you truly are. Spartan Race was my adventure to an awakening life. Participating in obstacle racing is a constant reminder to never back down and to keep overcoming the chaotic scenarios in my daily and social life.

When I get scrapes and cuts from races, the comments I get from most people are that I’m crazy. In reality it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks of me, because I’m being the athlete I was born to become. There’s a lot of people that don’t have this view when hitting an obstacle in life, one starts to question the issue by saying, “Why did this happen? Why-why-why?” Spartan race has taught me to not complain about any issues, but to have the wisdom and the courage to overcome the obstacles themselves when presented. It has brought out a unique athlete in me.

I am also pushing forward to open the minds of young adults. I want to make it clear that there is more to life than just partying and getting wasted on the weekends. By doing a Spartan Race on a typical weekend is more beneficial. By sending this clear message it is my goal and there is no telling what could happen in the future for every human being.

I enjoy competing against other amazing athletes at Spartan Races. The camaraderie and the relationships I have been able to build with people is a true blessing. Being able to surpass my accomplishments at 20 years old, by finishing the 2012 Spartan Death Race and also placing in the top 10 at every event I’ve attended is a big advancement in my life. When I was young I thought that I would be playing college football or soccer, but no, God had different plans for me than just being some average jock. I have begun to quickly display that I am an elite obstacle course racer.

On July 15 around 5:20 a.m. I was stabbed twice. Once to my left abdomen and once to my left chest in Austin, Tx while intervening on an attack on a friend. We were ending the night after celebrating a friend’s birthday. I was in my second week of Nursing School then. I went through surgery and a blood transfusion, stitches and staples. Due to my injuries and lack of mobility I was forced to drop the nursing program and I was unable to work as well. I lay in bed many days unable to move and depressed for sometime. Losing weight and muscle.

One of those days I was surfing the web trying to find a race that would motivate me to get back into running and shape overall. I stumbled across Spartan Race. Just seeing the obstacles and how many different people, some with limitations were pushing themselves beyond what one could not imagine. It seemed like fun.

Ever since I came across Spartan Race not one day went by when I didn’t check out the WOD or any new uploaded videos or Facebook status. I was constantly thinking about the Texas Sprint this May 2013. My first Spartan Race!

I attended a workout with Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena in Austin after seeing a FB post about him being in Austin with his crew to workout anyone willing to show up. It was a last minute trip so there wasn’t a lot of advanced notice. When I showed up there was only one other guy. The other guy Todd Kemper had driven 50 miles for the chance to meet Joe as well.

We experienced a dose of the Hurricane Heat, which I had no idea what that was, and it was intense and amazing. I found something inside myself I didn’t know was there. We worked out with sandbags, a bucket full of sand, the slosh pipe and not to mention countless burpees! Some with the sandbags plus the running. When I thought it was over, it wasn’t…Never before had I done more than 20 burpees in a row and here Joe D was making us do 100 burpees straight in what I later found was only the MIDDLE of by far the toughest workout of my life to date!
I laughed when he said 100 burpees. That laugh didn’t last long. He was for real!

I really believed he was going to stop us and say something like, “Ok guys bring it in and let’s cool down.” I was absolutely sure of it, but he didn’t! Now, I’m so glad he didn’t. This guy knows that there’s a part in every one of us that does not know defeat just waiting to be found out. These people are amazing and fun. They get it. Now fully recovered and training since January, I’m ready to devour 2013! No doubt I’m completing the trifecta and aiming on a chance for the Ultra Beast this year. Will probably never stop saying, “AROO” for as long as I live.

Ten months and three days ago life as I knew it changed forever. My wife, Lisa, and I were blessed with a beautiful, perfect baby boy. We immediately slipped right into the role of parents and have not looked back yet. We felt decently prepared for our new life as people had spent the previous nine months giving advice about how to handle a new child and all the joys and struggles that go along with this. However, there was one new part of this equation that we were not prepared for: how to give our baby boy all the time and love he needs and deserves while maintaining some level of physical activity. Unlike the majority of parents giving us advice who had, at most, one competitive individual in their marriage, both Lisa and I are runners. This doesn’t allow for one of us to choose the time and duration of our workouts while the other goes about their daily routine. We have double training time to fit in our days, and this turned out to be a struggle for us.

Our two options for when to work out are before and after school (we both teach), and my after school time is also restricted by coaching. I will freely admit that for several months I just took the easy route (“Lisa you can run today, I’ll stay and watch Braden”). I not only missed the daily workouts, but really lost a lot of the fitness I had built up over the previous year. My turning point came when I talked with Cody Moat at a race and realized that he is in the same boat as me. He is a father, a teacher and a coach yet still manages to be one of the best trail runners in America- oh, and he has three more kids than I do… It also didn’t hurt that I felt incredibly out of shape during that race. I knew a change needed to be made, so I made it. Braden now sits in the stroller for every run I do, from long runs to speed intervals. It is not always the perfect running situation, but at the end of the day what could be better than running every step of the way with my baby’s happy face looking up at me? Plus, there has to be some benefit from pushing a bulky, plastic wheeled, non-running designed stroller up and down hills. The teams I coach have grown to love having Braden around, and he always makes doing core easier when he is crawling over everyone and giggling.

Lisa and I have come full circle with our training, and it now includes Braden on a daily basis. As a man and a father there is nothing more rewarding than a beautiful wife and a smiling little boy waiting for me at the finish line, and now I get to experience that every single day for every run I go on. On Father’s Day I can only hope that this post pays it forward and serves as someone else’s “Cody” talk. Make the time, put the excuses aside, and get out there. Include your child or children if you need to, and become the best father and man you can in the coming year.

I’ve always wanted to do a Spartan Race. When I heard that my teacher participated in them, I asked her to keep me up to date on the next one. She always kept me informed on all races, Spartan or not. Unfortunately, I could never afford them. She emailed me information about the High school Spartan Race, and I was so excited when I found out about it! I Posted the link on my Facebook and instagram and that’s where my team was made. My friends Fabricio and Kat commented on them and decided to make a team with me. Kat asked Gloria and she later joined the team. We all decided to run because we are all athletes and it would be a great challenge for most of us.

We all felt like nervous wrecks when we were getting ready to race. When we got off the bus, we were intimidated by all the adults that were there and by some of their injuries. When the volunteers, workers and participants helped us with registration and where we needed to be, we became less intimidated. As we waited for the signal for the start of our high school heat, we were all shaking, unaware of what was to come. The race began and we were all doing great, nice pace and we were all together. After awhile, one of the Spartan Races elite athletes showed up and followed us the entire time, filming us throughout the whole race. It was really cool when he picked us as a group for his video. Shortly after he joined our group, Kat, me and Gloria had to use the bathroom, so we went off course and went. We all became really, really close after the bathroom incident. The race went on and some of our group members got sick on the way, but they still pushed through it. When we finally got to the finish line, we all held hands and jumped over the fire together. A rush of accomplishment fell over all of us, as we collected our medal, tee-shirt, water and banana.

Although, it was freezing when we finished and we were all trying to change into dry, clean clothes as fast as we could. While we were changing, I began to think of my future and what awaited me, knowing what a group of high school kids just accomplished.  I’m not absolutely sure what my friends plans are for their future, but mine is to continue Spartan Racing! I loved the competition and friendship that participants make with complete strangers over the race. My friends and I went through many different emotions through out the race but were comforted by each other, Alex, and friends we met on the way. I completely support the idea of Spartan Racing as a school sport. This would be an amazing opportunity for high school students across America to improve their health, fitness, and learning something incredible about themselves in the process. It teaches them the spirit of competition and also gives them an amazing sense of accomplishment. It builds confidence that the world seems to be missing and teaches people of all ages to have fun while working out instead of exercise being a chore.

Death Race 2013: The Year of the Gambler. Already the rumors are rampant and the speculation is swirling.

How long dare they make it? The last four years have seen it swell from 12 hours to 28 to 45 to 70 – Yes, that is SEVENTY HOURS, without rest! There is a reason why we see less than 10% finish this grueling challenge for survival in the haunting mountains of Pittsfield, VT.

Like every year before, the rumors are running rampant. There is talk of hard cut-offs for time hacks, disrupting many racers strategy of “slow and steady” and of teams being broken up and certain challenges planned to make even the toughest competitor fail. Of course, Joe De Sena and Andy Weinberg Death Race Directors are not talking, except when they are mocking participants and making sure the race mystery and intrigue stresses out the field and increases the chance of failure.

“We’ve gotten really good at getting under people’s skin,” boasted Joe. “We like to study them and figure out what is going to break them.”

Olof Dallner

More people are expected to start this year’s Death Race than ever before but, as usual, only a handful will ever finish.

Some names to watch are; Olof Dallner (defending Champion who also has 2 straight Winter Death Race wins and is looking to add his second straight Summer title for four in a Row and a claim to “best ever Death Racer”), Junyong Pak who finished a strong second last year and is always a threat, and the trio of Don Schwarz, Ken Lubin and PJ Rakoski who were leading last year at 50+ hours when they decided to pack it in (Don, in particular, has been training like a mad man looking to settle a score).

On the women’s side; Amelia Boone is always a threat and is expected to fare well in the mental and physical challenges on tap for the competitors. Nele Schulze came out of nowhere to win this year’s Winter Death Race and is looking to be a woman for all seasons, and Morgan McKay went from unknown to 2012 finisher and now to a woman on a mission for the top spot.

No one, veteran or rookie, knows what to expect or what to prepare for, except pain, exhaustion and utter frustration. That is what makes the Death Race so special. And so brutal. And it all gets underway June 21, 2013 in Pittsfield, Vermont.

Do you have what it takes?  Read more about the Death Race HERE.

The first Spartan Race I ever did unexpectedly altered my life in many ways. I had been running seriously for about two and a half months before the race and I stumbled upon the advertisement for it and decided to enter. I had no idea what to expect, as I stood there in the chilly winter morning, with the rain penetrating my face, nervous as could be, but I went out fast.  Before I knew it, I was accomplishing tasks I had never done in my life. I was climbing walls, carrying heavy objects, crawling under barb-wire, and climbing ropes. Throughout the entire course I had one of the biggest, silliest, smiles slapped on my face (especially after I won it). And since then, with every race that I do, I find my face in a constant grin even with all the injuries I accumulate.

From breaking my back in two places while training for a horse race to suffering from a stress fracture in my tibia during the Death Race of 2012, I am way too familiar with being sidelined. But the camaraderie of my fellow competitors has been outstanding, the support I receive has shredded light on some of the darkest moments of my life and it has given me the strength to push aside the pain and reach new limits.

I can recall busting my shin open during the Pennsylvania Sprint in 2012 and just as soon as I finished, I fell to the ground and was immediately surrounded by several athletes giving me their hands. At every race, no matter how intense the competition gets, or hard the course turns out, we all reach our hands out to each other. Spartan Race has given my life something beautiful, it has given me the chance to be able to live my dreams. There was once a time where walking was questionable for me and where I was completely unable to get out of bed, go to school, ride my horse, and more importantly I was unable to smile due to the pain. And with that being said, Spartan Race has given me my smiles back, my life back and it is constantly redefining what it takes to be unbreakable and I love that challenge. I love the sacrifices, the work, the patience you must endure to become the best you can be. And Spartan Race will challenge you to become the best you can be, so make the best of it.

David Magida

Reebok Spartan Race returned to Tuxedo, New York for two weekends in a row and for the third annual running of the Tuxedo Spartan Sprint June 2, 3, and a bonus day of June 8, 2013. And while the course offered the familiarity of the same brutal mountains of previous years, the layout was entirely different, providing even the veteran racers with a new feel and a number of additional challenges.

Now the one thing you can always count on from a course in Tuxedo is climbing. Lots of climbing. This race was certainly no exception, with seven leg-burning climbs over the 4.2-mile course. The result was a tight race, where the pure runners lost their speed advantage and were dependent on their endurance to hold off the strength of stronger, power-based athletes. Avoiding obstacle failure was critical.

A great deal of the course was on winding trails up and down the mountain, as well as quite a bit of bushwhacking. The footing was treacherous, and racers had to focus on each step to ensure they didn’t twist or roll an ankle. This intense focus just adds to fatigue, as it makes it difficult to find a running rhythm.

In an unusual twist, Race Director Dan Yotive added a spear throw into the middle of the race with the goal to make it more exciting. This shift significantly altered the lead pack as numerous leaders missed their throw.

The race was also shaken up by the addition of the heavy tire-drag obstacle, which resulted in a burpee penalty for many of the pure runners once again again. Combine that with a nasty sandbag carry and a daunting uphill tractor pull and this race became very much about grit and strength.

And that’s without considering the BRUTAL and seemingly endless uphill barbed wire crawl over rocky terrain, shredding competitors knees and shins along the way. Many veteran racers claim this barbed wire crawl was a step down in intensity from the insanity of previous years.  Add in the first time use of an “inverse wall” obstacle” and this race had its fair share of twists.

Of course, it wasn’t just the main course that left competitors gassed and begging for mercy. The kids race itself was quite formidable. Starting with a 200m climb to open each lap of the one mile course, the race left a line of exhausted children in its wake. Winding trails and a long wire crawl stretched the contestants into a line nearly a quarter mile long.

At the finish, a steady stream of muddy kids triumphantly crossed the finish line with the same big smiles and look of exhaustion as their parents.

Saturday Results—Men (weekend one)
1st Place: Patrick Grevelding 50:50
2nd Place: Randy Feeley 52:03
3rd Place: Elliott Megquier 52:08

Saturday Results—Women (weekend one)
1st Place: Melinda Branch, 1:10:44
2nd Place: Leyla Di Cori, 1:12:45
3rd Place: Juliana Sproles, 1:13:15

Sunday Results—Men (weekend one)
1st Place: David Magida, 47:05
2nd Place: Elliott Megquier, 49:09
3rd Place: Kevin Donoghue, 51:33

Sunday Results—Women (weekend one)
1st Place: Jillian Kenney, 1:02:22
2nd Place: Juliana Sproles, 1:10:20
3rd Place: Karlee Whipple, 1:12:25

Fine June 8th results by clicking HERE.

Want to sign up for a Spartan Race? Click HERE.

[Editor's Note: David Magida is a member of the Spartan Pro Team with nearly 20 Spartan Races under his belt.]

We men, we live, we are strong, we rule, we beat our chest, and yet our strength is nothing next to the will of the women who love us. I have never been surer of this than I was when I watched my wonderful, beautiful, wife (my SPARTAN PRINCESS) complete the Spartan Military Sprint Challenge at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs Colorado.

For months now I have watched my wife dedicate herself to change physically and mentally. Working out almost daily at Gottsche. Now she had been doing this while never failing in any of her others endeavors such as taking care of our children, our home, her more than needy husband, and full time job.

I did not know much about what she had signed up for with this Spartan Race until I watched what it made her. Waves of 200 racers were released beginning at 0800 hrs. and continued throughout the day. Sherri’s heat was set to go at 0915 so numerous racers had been released prior to her start, making the course ahead wet and muddy in places that those who started first and or were in the lead would never have known. Just to give you an idea the first obstacle was a series of trenches that were 4 to 5 feet in width and full of water and mud, and there were at least five of them.

She was nervous and so was I, but she now it was time for her to do her thing out on the course. So then the waiting started. Minutes were multiplied and time seemed to slow down as I watched for her to appear on the horizon.  And then finally of all people to see her, Stone said, “Hey there is mom.” He pointed to an area just after the mud crawl, under the barb wire and through several mud pits, as long as or longer than two semi trucks and trailers end to end. And there she was covered in mud from head to toe running toward the “spear throw.”

I hollered, “Sherri” and the kids yelled, “mom!”

We caught up with her just prior to the spear throw and due to the bottle neck of throwers we were able to exchange a few words. She was muddy from head to toe, sopping wet shoes and an abundance of mud caked on her face, hair, and clothes. I could tell she was tired, exhausted.

I looked at her and simply said, “Do you want to quit.” And with a look that I honestly can say I have never seen in her before she said, “No”. I never asked again. We told her that we loved her and she continued on to the spear throw. That is where we lost her and we did not find her again until the mud pits on the other side.

Once she emerged from the mud pits there was the slanted wall of 10 feet or so that now was covered in wet mud, and the ropes were so slick with mud the racers could not hold on as they attempted to scale the wall and continue on. This is where I truly learned the meaning of this endeavor that my Spartan Princess had got herself into. As racer after racer attempted the slick muddy wall and muddy ropes, numerous racers slipped and fell back from where they had started. Other racers stepped forward and were able to get atop the wall and sat on top and helped racer after racer get up and over this obstacle. Encouraging words, hands outstretched helping each other beyond this obstacle of slick mud and slimy rope. This is when I learned this race was not about who was first or the fastest. It was about who was willing to give that possibility up to turn and put out their hand to someone who was struggling and simply say, “Take my hand.” I am a man a chest beater but I became just a little emotional at this point, not outwardly because I am a chest beater.

As Sherri stood in line for this obstacle we were to be able to speak with her. She was watching as racer after racer slid back and or fought this wall. She looked at me and said, “I don’t think I can get over that, I don’t know anyone here to help me. I told her to just go for it and they would help her. And she did, she grabbed the muddy rope and twisted it around her hand and placed her muddy shoes on the slick muddy wall and began to pull herself up and as she did the racer on the wall above her and the one below her helped her scale that wall of which she thought she could not do. I was in awe of her, and so very proud. Then we again lost sight of her for what seemed like forever. In the distance you could see where it appeared racers had to drag huge tires and hike up and down a steep hill with back packs (that I was sure were not empty) and then disappear from sight for god knows what for which seemed like forever.

And then again on the horizon the kids and I seen her, coming down the hill toward the last four obstacles that were between her and the end of this madness. What were left were the rope climb, cargo net, fire pit and gladiator pit. The rope climb was so slick with mud it was 30 burpee’s and on to the cargo net. Sherri climbed up and over without a hitch. Then on to the fire pit, which she cleared with ease, and through the gladiator pit  to the finish line.  That’s when my Spartan Princess received her Spartan medal. 

As I took her picture standing there covered in mud from head to toe, with her medal around her neck on the right side of the finish line. I realized why she had answered the way she did when I asked her if she wanted to quit. Even though at the time of my question I knew and she knew she was tired and hurt all over but it did not matter as she intended to conquer and nothing was going to prevent that, not 4.5 miles, not 28 obstacles, not the mud, not being alone (or at least thinking you were), the face I looked into was one of determination and dedication. I realized it was the same as many of the faces that I saw thrusting forth their hands and simply saying, “take my hand, there is no way we fail”.

I learned a lot from my Spartan Warrior Princess this date. And I am one lucky chest beater.

Number 3: The Jumping Pull-Up

by Joe Di Stenfano co-founder of Spartan Coaches

Click here for Part I:  Bowler Squat

Click here for Part II:  Reverse Bear Crawl

Because 8 foot walls, monkey bars, traverses, and festival challenges don’t conquer themselves.

Everyone makes mistakes. Sadly, the architect that drew up the blueprint for the homosapien female never foresaw a time where millions of women globally would have a need to do more pull-up variations in a weekend than they would produce babies in a lifetime. The anatomical disadvantages we have discussed in the last two posts in this series, created a species that since the dawn of creation has had much trouble with pull-ups. Fortunately, there are always things we can do.

The Jumping Pull-Up is going to allow almost anybody to crank out a set of ten pull ups in good form. In addition, it has complete carry over to racing since when you are climbing over the towering 8-foot walls, you will most likely begin with a jump.

Jumping Pull-Ups are going to provide two primary strength benefits to a female obstacle racer, upper body pulling and a whole lot of grip strength. Jumping pull-ups can be be done on tree branches, walls, playground equipment, and of course, on chin-up bars. This flexibility allows Jumping Pull-Ups to be trained with varying hand positions, grip widths, and grip circumferences. Exposing the grip to variations in training, especially under the load of one’s own body weight, is going to become important to reducing the risk of elbow tendonitis on race day, one of Spartan Race’s most common injuries.

In addition, Jumping Pull-ups are going to be a fantastic compliment to the other two exercises in this series, hereby completing a total body workout specifically designed for Spartan Races in just three simply, body weight maneuvers.

To recap, because women anatomically have a larger “Q-angle”, a more anteriorly (or forward) tilted pelvis, and a larger percentage of body weight held below the midsection, they often times require specialized lower body, core, and upper body training. Female training should begin around strengthening the hips and move up to the core and upper body. Exercises such as the Bowler Squat, can reduce unwanted or excessive medial (inward) rotation and adduction (knee caving inwards) of the femur (thigh bone), as well as help to equalize the pelvis’s forward tilt to a more neutral one, both of which will reduce stress on the knees. The Reverse Bear Crawl is going to train a woman’s core function and reflex, as well as add tremendous stability, strength, and “injury proofing” to the upper body. Finally, the Jumping Pull-Up is going to balance out this increased pressing strength in the upper body and develop very functional grip strength to help a women conquer even Spartan Race’s most challenging obstacles.

My name is Shane McKay and I’m a Spartan.  My Spartan adventure started in August 2011 in Calgary, Alberta. Later that year I decided to take a short holiday and I competed in a second Spartan Race in Malibu…and then I was hooked! Over the next 12 months I competed at 16 venues and raced 18 times. Through racing I have met so many great people and formed solid friendships that will last forever.

I train 6 days per week including swimming, biking, running, stretching and CrossFit. I maintain a healthy diet, mostly Paleo, however I enjoy a burger, fries and a beer from time to time. I never feel guilty about it! I’m a disciplined business owner and a disciplined athlete. I have found the perfect balance (for me) with work, training, and relaxation. I’m always looking forward to the next Spartan weekend!

I AM A SPARTAN!

I was introduced to the world of Spartan Racing last year at the Amesbury Sprint and was not prepared how it would change the way I look at life. Literally crawling up a trail while struggling to catch my breath, I was wondering why years of sports, weight-lifting, and running weren’t helping my legs get me up this hill. Eventually crossing the finish line covered in mud, bruises, and scrapes was a great experience but also a motivation. I went home and trained hard to attempt another race.

With a little luck, I was able to finish the Tri-State Super and Vermont Beast. The training challenged me physically and emotionally in ways I couldn’t even imagine possible, but the experience was incredible. I’ve met inspiring people I now call my friends, been on top of mountains overlooking beautiful landscapes, felt great highs, and overcome frustrating lows. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to experience these feelings and that makes it all the more special to me.

This is why I chose to run for Zack.

Zack is my friend and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 male births and results in progressive muscle weakness. Because the heart is a muscle and the lungs require muscle to function properly, young men with DMD typically only live into their twenties. Zack is now 20 and only able to control his fingers and head, confining him to a wheelchair. However, he is living life to the fullest and continues to excel every day. Zack is in college studying video-game design, a genius with computers, and is more educated about cars than anybody I know. Zack and other courageous young men with DMD prove strength cannot be measured and remind us that we should all take pride in the gifts we have.

So this year my goals for Spartan racing have changed. Zack is my motivation to not just finish but to run each event as hard

Bobby and Zack

as I possibly can. If I am lucky enough to place within earning a cash prize, all will go to Zack’s foundation to benefit finding a cure for DMD. The Zack Heger Foundation has been huge in supporting Muscular Dystrophy research and helped show that preventative care can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy. My small part is to be a voice for Zack’s amazing story and raise awareness for the countless other boys who have been affected by Muscular Dystrophy.

It is a privilege to run Spartan Races and Zack has helped me realize how fortunate I really am. Whether you’re competitively racing, running for fun, training at the gym, or walking the dog, what we are able to do is a blessing. I truly believe the goal in life is to make a positive difference for someone else and I hope my excitement and passion inspires you to do the same.

See you at the starting line.

For more information and to show your support, visit www.zackhegerfoundation.org.

Annmarie’s own mother passed away from terminal breast cancer at 45 years old. At the time, Annamarie’s mother’s diagnosis only gave her 2-3 months to live; however, sheer determination and a refusal to accept defeat helped her to overcome aggressive chemotherapy, countless surgical procedures and multiple hospitalizations to extend her life for another 5 years. After becoming a mother herself, Annmarie realized that her mother’s strength came from the desire to have more time with her children, despite the fact that each day meant more pain and suffering. Annmarie says that her mother was a true SUPERMOM, and the bravest woman she’s ever known.

A single mother to her 6 year old son, Tyler, Annmarie is proactive about maintaining her own health in order to ensure she’s around for him as long as possible. She says that living a healthy lifestyle and setting positive health goals is very important to her, which is why she loves to participate in Spartan Races. She’s worked to pass those values onto her son, who has begun to compete in Spartan Kids races and set fitness goals for himself.

Annmarie also recently returned to school to finish her undergraduate education, but she always finds a way to fit in training with Team Braveheart. Her preparation for Spartan Races consists of kickboxing and MMA, road running, trail running (her personal favorite!), countless burpees, and improvised workouts on all of the local playgrounds. She includes Tyler in as many training sessions as possible, and says that it’s served as a great family bonding activity. It takes a lot of effort and creativity for her to fit everything in, but it’s been an awesome journey for the both of them.

Annmarie tries to live by her mother’s example and embrace every day with strength and courage. She isn’t afraid to take on challenges, whether they’re part of Spartan Race course or in life. She thanks Team Braveheart for the support they’ve given to both her and Tyler, and looks forward to participating in many more events in the future.

Now that’s a SUPERMOM. Share the story of your supermom with SNAP Infusion, Spartan Race and Vitamin Angels #mysupermom

I think I can officially call myself a Spartan after this weekend’s race in Tuxedo, NY… That was definitely a challenge, but so much fun! There is some odd joy that comes out of completing one of the most physically difficult tasks you’ve ever done, but I love that feeling! This obstacle course was about 5 miles, mostly uphills and downhills, with around 20-25 obstacles, most of them pretty difficult too!  I found myself struggling, but it was a good struggle. I felt challenged, and I immediately felt like I wanted to do that again so I signed up for the 8-mile Super Spartan! I can officially say I’m also addicted to the Spartan Race. It’s one of those experiences that you won’t get anywhere else—the camaraderie, even with people you don’t know, the challenges, the joy, the adrenaline rush, you can’t find all of that everywhere! Some may think you’re crazy, but when you come home with those cuts and bruises (and yes you will get a few), you have a reason to show off, and be proud of it! You have just completed something not many people can say they have. I highly suggest getting out there and trying this too. You will get to that starting corral and just feel so much more alive than you ever have! I also highly suggest bringing friends—it enhances the experience so much more to share it with others.

I have done two Spartan Races – the first one at Citi Field and the second in Tuxedo, NY, but the second time I was alone. It definitely is a lot more challenging to be alone, but you can go at your own pace, which some people enjoy. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the first time, so I would suggest bringing a few friends. Plus, if you’re 21, you can share a few beers afterward! The races themselves were very different—Tuxedo, NY was much more cardio based, with a lot more brute strength involved. I should warn you, if you sign up for any Spartan Race, no matter what distance, you will end up running a lot more.

In a stadium, the issue is that the space is smaller, so there is no mud and less running, but still a great experience! It’s not often that you can say you’ve run on the field that a big MLB team plays on! Spartan Race hosts their races on these fields from time to time, but more often than not, they will be in the middle of nowhere so everyone can experience a true Spartan Race, mud and all. I am planning on working my way up to a Spartan Beast to complete a Trifecta (all three levels in one year), so wish me luck! I hope I can finish with a good time at each, or even survive them! I’m excited though, and I know with a little training (well, a lot of training), I can do this, and I know all of you out there can too!

I recommend signing up for the Spartan WOD’s – www.spartanrace.com/wod.   These are very helpful training tools to add on or use as your workout for the day. And if you want a free race, you can always volunteer at a race and choose to race at any race you’d like for free! I’d highly suggest this, as I have done this as well. It’s also a good way to meet new racers if you ever want a racing buddy for the future! Anyways, good luck in future racers, and I hope you all get out there and race like a Spartan! Spartan Races – getting people off their couches and into Spartan shape since 431 B.C.

AROO!!!

Grit or Grits?

by Dr. Jeff Godin, Ph.D., CSCS, and director of Spartan Coaching

Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half awake.

- William James, American Philosopher and Psychologist

According to Webster’s dictionary ‘grit’ is defined as a hard, sharp granule, an abrasive particle. Webster’s also says that grits are a coarsely ground hulled grain, usually corn.

One is used to smooth out rough, uneven surfaces through persistence and repetition, the other is an overly processed porridge that is energy dense and nutrient poor. One is unyielding and resolute the other is smooth and gelatinous.  If you get a little grit in your sneaker you end up with bleeding blisters, get some cooked grits in your sneaker and you might enjoy it. In terms of hardness, they are on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Among other things, Spartans are gritty. Through persistence of effort they accomplish their goals. Physical fitness and good health isn’t accomplished with a single, monumental effort. They are attained by consistent, focused, strenuous effort .  Angela Duckworth, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, has conducted research on high achievers and has determined that the human attribute of grit predicts success better than any other personality trait such as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Duckworth says that grit is even a better predictor of success than intelligence (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly, 2007) .

Duckworth studied West Point candidates using multiple personality tests and intelligence scores and found that that freshman candidates that scored the highest on grit had a higher probability of surviving the first summer of training. Grit predicted success even better than West Point’s  Whole Candidate Score that is used to select candidates for enrollment (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly, 2007).  Duckworth also studied National Spelling Bee candidates and again grit was an important predictor for advancement into the final round. Duckworth noted that the grittier candidates put more time into studying vocabulary (harder workers) and performed better that some of their more intelligent peers (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly, 2007).

I can think of more than a handful of individuals that had great talent in their sport yet never attained the pinnacle of success in their career. Conversely, there were those that had modest talent, yet worked on their skills and honed their talent through daily vigorous practice, over a long period of time, and became extremely successful. The former had grits for breakfast and the latter had a big bowl of grit.

Grit isn’t a short term phenomena. A conscientious, persistent athlete can achieve short-term goals such as improved fitness and weight loss. But grit is much more than that. According to Duckwork “Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. The gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina.” (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly, 2007. p. 1087-1088)

Can a leopard change its spots? Can a human change their personality and become gritty? Generally personality is stable over time as indicated by research conducted at the University of California (Nave, Sherman, Funder, Hampson, and Goldberg, 2010).  But it is important to understand that our behaviors can be influenced by the environment. We may not be able to change our biology but we do have the capacity to change our behaviors.  We do have free will. In similar vein, someone may have a genetic predisposition to develop heart disease, but if that person makes the conscience choice to eat healthy, be physically active, and not smoke then the manifestation of heart disease is less likely.

For some becoming gritty may be an easy transition. For others it may require more conscious effort. Do you want more grit? Start here:

1)     Write out your plan for success – establish your baseline, set a goal, define a clear path towards that goal.

2)     Eliminate distracters – What are your barriers? Is it TV, internet, video games?

3)     Keep a journal – Journal your successes and failures. Contemplate them; monitor your feelings and emotions. Work on solutions.

4)     Share the plan – Share your plan with someone that is supportive yet can offer constructive criticism when needed. Hire a coach.

5)     Keep track of your successes – Remember the days when you would receive a gold star for exceptional performance in grade school? Give yourself a gold star for every success you have during the day.

6)     Last but not least, don’t give up. Success is a marathon…ultramarathon, not a sprint. There will be peaks and valleys. Expect failure, but don’t accept it. Learn from it and keep moving forward. You must remain passionate about your goals.

7)     All of this is work, hard work. Expect it, and embrace it. I looked for some research that supported the idea that success was the result of sleeping more, day dreaming, and quip facebook posts, but I couldn’t find any.

What is your next meal, grit or grits?

References

Duckworth, A., Peterson, C., Matthews, M., and Kelly, D.  (2007).  Grit: Perserverance and passion    for long term-goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; (92), 1087-1101.

Nave, C., Sherman, R., Funder, D., Hampson, S., and Goldberg, L. (2010). On the contextual independence of personality: Teachers’ assessments predict directly observed behavior after four decades.  Social Psychology and Personality Science; (1), 327 – 334.

Answer: The Vancouver Sprint! Held June 1st on Mount Seymour, in North Vancouver, this unique and extremely challenging course saw approximately 4,000 athletes grinding their way to the snow-capped peak (where they were treated with spectacular views of the city and the Pacific Ocean) before careening down the steep ski slopes towards the mud of the lower altitude.

Racers from as far away as Quebec, USA, Europe and even Australia commented that it was one of the toughest Sprints they had ever encountered – with at least one calling it a “shorter Beast”. A few traditional obstacles were made unusually difficult; monkey bars placed on a downhill slope wreaked havoc as grips slipped, the 20 foot high cargo net climb scared many as it was essentially straight up and straight down over two stacked shipping containers, and the mercilessly low barbed wire crawl forced everyone off their hands and knees and crotch-down into the mucky mess. Finally, the thin, dynamic ropes used on the final climb had even many veteran elite racers cranking out 30 burpees just meters from the finish line. Still, with all of that, the fastest time was a blistering 33:26 with second place less than 30 seconds behind.

Even with a light rain, the festival area was rocking all day with a popular fitness challenge, awesome food vendors (with a few giving away free samples) and free sport wraps being applied by a trained kinesioligist. Families abounded too, with the kids’ course truly being a mini-version of the adult track – hundreds of Jr. Spartans started with a steep, snowy climb, weaved through several challenging obstacles, and ended up slithering on their bellies under their own “barbed wire” crawl before running straight through a deep puddle to the finish line.

Are you ready to take on a Spartan Race?  Find one HERE.

The Spartan Pro team, which was announced last week, had some heavy hitters in attendance, and the first day of elite heats saw some familiar faces on the podium.

Top males were:
1. Patrick Grevelding 50:40
2. Randy Feeley 52:03
3. Elliot Megquier 52:08

Top three females included:
1. Melinda Branch 1:10:44
2. Lelya DiCori 1:12:45
3. Juliana Sproles 1:13:15

One of the larger teams in Tuxedo was Team Braveheart, a familiar crew on Spartan courses, who ran early on Saturday morning. The largest team was awarded to Team Unstoppable on Sunday morning. There was the inspirational Spartan Ilene Boyar took on the course with a team of 12 Sunday morning crossing the finish line seven and a half hours later. Ilene’s finish is monumental as she suffers from brittle bone disease and completed the course on crutches. There wasn’t a dry eye when she crossed the finish line.

We’re not done with you yet, Tuxedo. For the first time in Spartan history, we will be returning to Tuxedo Ridge for a second weekend of racing this Saturday, June 8th, thousands of Spartans will be descending on the venue for another shot at Spartan glory. Will you be there?

Get registered HERE.

The Top Three Body Weight Exercises for Female Obstacle Racers:  Part 2 of 3 – Reverse Bear Crawl  

by Joe DiStefano, co-founder of Spartan Coaching

Click here for Part I:  Bowler Squat

Because what woman doesn’t want a stronger upper body and tighter core!?

Regardless of your own gender, you may have noticed that when compared to men, women have several distinct differences in the ways their bodies are designed. The largest differences clearly relate to pregnancy and child birth and include a larger percentage of body mass being carried below the midsection and the increased Q-angles and anterior (forward leaning) pelvic tilt discussed in my previous post. Last time, we also discussed a propensity for females to do more things, like wearing high heels, which tend to exacerbate these genetic disadvantages even further. For these reasons, women typically need to focus a lot more on upper body strength and core stabilization and when it comes to training for a Spartan Race, cranking out sit ups and triceps pushdowns are not going to cut it.

Holding a stable, quadruped “Bear” position requires both upper body strength and core stabilization in itself, throw in moving backwards and a need for significantly more dynamic neuromuscular control and strength is added to the exercise. In addition, the Reverse Bear Crawl also works the type of contralataral coordination (moving the opposing leg and arm in a unison) necessary for more efficient running, confidently climbing cargo nets, and effortlessly crawling under barbed wire.

The Reverse Bear Crawl requires alternating “shoulder presses” over an active and reflexively stabilized core. During this exercise, the hips and core are continuously alternating between stabilizing one hip while mobilizing on the other, exactly the way they do in sprinting, hiking, throwing, or most other athletic maneuvers. This type of function and reflex is what we need most in obstacle racing and is something a habitual reliance on traditional standing, or [worse] a seated overhead shoulder press simply does not give you. I should mention that I am by no means saying “Old school” shoulder pressing does not have it’s place or is something we want to eliminate entirely, however, substituting or adding reverse bear crawls into a program that does not currently have them is going to add significant benefit to your “injury-proofing” and overall Spartan Race performance.

Finally, the Reverse Bear Crawl allows you to give your body a break from constant straight bar or dumbbell training, which is going to lower the risk of rotator cuff issues. The Reverse Bear Crawl is going to change the angle of the “press” to a more advantageous one relative to training proper scapular upward rotation, something many of us lack due to our widespread degrees of keyboard crunching postures. For more information on dysfunctional shoulders and assessing their risk for injury, check out my third installment of the “Top 5 Benefits of Alternative Locomotion” found here.

The elite heat for the Reebok Spartan Sprint kicked off at 8 AM and when the first Spartans crossed the finish line Saturday, they not only earned a cash purse for their efforts, but a trip to that night’s Yankee’s game AND a shout out by the announcer before the game began.

How’s that for taking a bite out of the Big Apple?

The top three male and female finishers received a much-deserved shout out at the Yankees vs. Red Sox game, Saturday June 2nd.

Top males were:
1. Patrick Grevelding 50:40
2. Randy Feeley 52:03
3. Elliot Megquier 52:08

Top three females included:
1. Melinda Branch 1:10:44
2. Lelya DiCori 1:12:45
3. Juliana Sproles 1:13:15

Fumich, Hurley, and Nelson

Fumich and Nelson gained a lot of notoriety for their inspired run and their story was featured prominently in a variety of media outlets, gaining the following of friends, family and even strangers of the organizers of the run. The effort was not without mishaps including unforeseen detours and delays that forced crew members jumping in and completing some of the mileage so that the run could stay on time and on track.

The final marathon would be completed by both runners and their crew and would follow the Boston Marathon course, ending at the not infamous finish line. The group was met by Erin Hurley, girlfriend of Jeff Bauman who was injured while waiting at the finish line to meet her when he lost both legs in the bomb blasts.

The Washington Post reports, At the finish line, they were greeted by Larry Marchese, a representative of the family of Martin Richard, the eight-year-old boy killed by the blasts. Fumich and Nelson had targeted the Richard family, and then Bauman, as the beneficiaries of their runs.

“They are absolutely in awe of what you have accomplished,” Marchese told them, WCVB reported, “and especially in this weather so thank you guys so much on behalf of the Richard family.”

Fumich meeting Jeff Bauman

It was also reported that after they finished, they went to a family barbecue where they met both Bauman and Carlos Arredondo, who leapt into action after the bombings and was seen assisting Bauman in the same photo.

Once the mileage was complete, Fumich was reflective of the distance, the cause, and the outpouring of support and interest in his effort.  He was all thanks after driving back to Virginia from Boston saying, “I also want to say a sincere thank you to all my friends, acquaintances, and total strangers who reached out and sent such nice comments, posts, and messages throughout our journey!

I received dozens and dozens of them and was just TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY by the nice things people had to say and how much they were thinking about us and pulling for us…and many brought tears to my eyes!”

The duo have raised over $81,100 for the charity. Find out more about the run and the cause by clicking HERE.

Follow the Twitter Chatter #DC2BOS

(Photos courtesy of Frank Fumich.)

Elizabeth Rivera reflects on what was a very low point in her life, recalling times that she know views as pages in the book of her life that are better left turned to happier chapters.

“May 2013 marks my one-year anniversary since I had gastric bypass surgery. I decided several months ago to mark this milestone in my life by testing my limits running in the Spartan Sprint. I remember rolling around in the mud was one of my favorite things to do while I was in the Air Force.”

Elizabeth was honorably discharged from the Air Force for being unable to maintain weight standard. She didn’t know that Type 2 Diabetes was knocking on her door and was about to dictating a rather militant period in her life. She explains,

“I tried so many diets and various exercise programs, but nothing really seemed to have a lasting effect. My health just got worse and the complications from diabetes started to appear. I had several emergency surgeries because of diabetes, two cortisone shots in my left hip, and I had to take a high dose of pain meds twice a day because of a labral tear in my left hip. Not to mention a slight bulging disc and tear in my L5/S1 of my spine. These are just a few things I had to go through because of my weight and diabetes.”

Many different approaches to get the Diabetes under control were tried. Insulin of course eventually appeared, but the result of this was weight gain. Doctors explained how battling in removing the weight would help alleviate the problem, then eventually Elizabeth tried something else.

“My job changed health care plans and I decided to see if gastric bypass surgery was covered. To my surprise it was, but of course there were a list of criteria’s that had to be met. I went through the process required by my insurance and May 2, 2012 was the day I had gastric bypass surgery. At first I was not sure I made the right choice because it was not an easy recovery while in the hospital.”

Rivera talks about her recovery, “With each step I took, things got easier. Everything about my life changed and I no longer focused my life around food.”

Approximately six weeks after recovery, Elizabeth decided to join a gym and begin work with a personal trainer. As is normally the tale with these situations, at first, everything proved difficult and progress was slow. Not very long afterwards, strength began to appear and very quickly, she found herself stronger and fitter than ever before.

“It was my trainer who told me about the Spartan Race and how I should work toward that as a goal. I remember after a session there was an advertisement for the Spartan race flashing on a TV at the gym and I thought one day I would be a Spartan.”

The hard work in the gym was paying off and Elizabeth became a new person. Elizabeth 2.0! Fighting fit and ready for more, she came out of a battle thirsty for more challenge.

“My highest weight was 250 pounds and now I am 125 pounds since my surgery. At 5’ 2” tall no wonder I had so many issues with pain. My body could not handle all that weight and I could not even walk for 5 minutes without getting tired. Gastric bypass was a tool that helped me save my own life and it was the best decision I ever made for myself. I no longer take any medication for diabetes or pain and I believe I am in the best shape of my life for just turning 40. I can do things now that I have not been able to do in a very long time.”

No excuses, no blaming something else, no procrastination. Just out there getting the job done and gleefully accepting challenges that you can sink your teeth into. That’s the Spartan Race way and Elizabeth is now following that lifestyle and couldn’t be happier.

“I have done a few other challenges, but being able to do the Spartan Races is a major milestone. I plan on working toward gaining the Spartan Trifecta and motivating others to get off the couch and start moving. After surgery I could barely walk for 15 minutes and now I am playing in the mud. It takes starting with a few steps to work toward better health.”

See you at the finish line…

Find a Spartan Race near you.  Register today.