I’m not 100% sure how it happened, but I’m “enlisted” for my first Spartan Sprint race this summer.  My sister has done a few different obstacle/mud races in the past few years. My secret Santa at school this year got me a copy of Mud & Obstacle Magazine. I think those two events and the fact that I’ve been doing Crossfit for awhile now made me think that I could enjoy doing an obstacle race.

So then it was more of a matter of finding one. So I found this helpful website: Mud Run Guide. According to the list there are 8 events this year, but last year’s calendar had 38 different events so I don’t think it is fully accurate.  So my sister and I reviewed the events and dates and chose to compete in the 1st Twin Cities based Spartan Sprint on June 27.

From the website:

Welcome to Welch Village.

Located less than an hour outside the Twin Cities, this mountain will have you running up, down, across, and around this 1,060 foot mountain in a 3+ mile Sprint. Who will be the first Spartan to conquer this new location? Looming hills, dense woods, and brutal barbed wire are just a few of the obstacles that will stand in your way. Will you reign supreme?

Distance: 3-5 miles
Obstacles: 20-23

Avg. Temperature: High 80, Low 59
Avg. rainfall: 4.21 in.
Elevation: 1,060 ft
Avg. finish time: 1.5 hours
Fastest finish time: 40 minutes
Special gear needed: Racers should plan to bring appropriate fuel for their needs. No fuel will be provided on course, only water. Hydration packs (or water containers of some variety) are strongly suggested for all racers.

Start Time: 7:30am

Waves of 250 athletes will be released every 15 minutes across 3 groups (Elite, Morning, Afternoon).

Did you see that? 3-5 mile race that takes 40 minutes for the winner, that’s because there will be 20+ obstacles and 1,ooo feet of elevation gain.  That should be fairly rough!

So, how does one train for this? The Elite’s do a pretty rugged regime that includes endurance and strength work combined with obstacle specific work. There are also places to go specifically to train for these type of events. But that isn’t really a good option.  Spartan offers a 30 day training plan and they have the Spartan Workout Tour which is a few hour boot camp. The Workout Tour is coming to Minneapolis and Rochester in May.

My plan? I’ll continue my training as normal – Crossfit, Running, and Biking each a few times a week.  I will incorporate more hill work and try to find some places that I can do some “obstacle” type things in the middle of my runs.  Or if all else fails do body weight work every mile or so on a run.  Pushing a stroller is tough work too right?