I am not one to shy away from something challenging and extreme. My mantra has always been more “Game On!” than not. And yet come a cold Saturday morning, I was not quite sure what I had gotten myself into when I showed up at my first Spartan Ultra race with Spartan athlete Matt “The Bear” Novakovich. (This is a man who runs marathons as relaxation and who thrives on taking his body to the edge of his potential.) A week earlier, Matt and I had finished an event in which we climbed to the summit of Stratton Mountain 17 times for 29,029 vertical feet. And the Ultra course was 36 miles and more than 50 obstacles. Yet here I was, committed and as prepared as I was going to be.
While Matt was wondering whether we could beat 12 hours, I was wondering whether we could finish. It was grueling and I struggled where I had not trained. I opted out with burpees on a few obstacles, but in the end, I finished all because I made the first move and showed up. I have since moved on to additional Spartan races and will do another this season and the next—and I want you to TRY THIS, too!
Adventure races and epic physical challenges demand that we give all that we have physically, mentally and emotionally. Spartan Race participants come in many shapes and sizes, but they all are passionate about fitness, relish teamwork and embrace challenges. Whether you choose to tackle a Spartan Sprint (3 to 5 miles, 20 to 23 obstacles), Super (8 to 10 miles, 24 to 29 obstacles) or Beast (12 to 14 miles, 30 to 35 obstacles), the first step is the hardest and takes the most courage. So if you’re feeling like you will never be strong enough or tough enough to get out there and race, here’s my challenge—and advice—to you: Go all in and sign up for your first Spartan, today!