If you aren’t aware of how much I adore the Spartan Race series, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to anything I say. Unless, of course, you are new here, thanks to the recent blog fiasco of 2013. In which case…welcome! There are a few things you should know about me: I hate peanut butter, I’ve never been to Las Vegas, and I love Spartan races.
And the obsession began.
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| photo credit: Spartan Race blog & nuvisionacionimage.com |
There are a bazillion (general estimate) mud runs and obstacle course races available for the weekend warrior to tackle. Having run numerous OCR’s myself, I can tell you that most of them are what I would consider “fun runs”. Sure, they take a certain level of athleticism, and they may make you step outside of your comfort zone (especially if you hate mud), but they aren’t a huge challenge. They are fun.
Spartan Races are not “fun”, in the traditional sense. They are hard. They will challenge you, both physically and mentally, and you will be forced out of your comfort zone. Freezing cold water, fire, heights, and dark confined spaces are just a few of the discomforts you will face. Unlike many of the other races out there, at a Spartan Race you will be timed, ranked, and judged. Fail or choose to skip an obstacle? You must pay the penalty of 30 chest to ground burpees, per missed obstacle.
Watch this video to get an idea of what you may (or may not…Spartan Race doesn’t reveal obstacles before the event) face on race day:
Sounds awful, right? In reality, it is quite the opposite. There is something so amazing about pushing yourself beyond your limits, and seeing what you are truly made of. There is a reason why Spartan Race’s motto is “you’ll know at the finish line.” And while challenging for sure, I certainly believe anyone who trains for it, and who really wants it, can complete a Spartan Race.
And eventually, as crazy as it may sound, this stepping outside of your comfort zone thing? It becomes…FUN.
Spartan Race offers races across the country, with a variety of distances: sprint (3-5 miles), super (8 ish miles), beast (13+ miles), Ultra beast (26+ miles) or the Death Race (48-60+ hours. Yes, hours.) And for the little ones: Spartan kids races.
There is so much MORE I could tell you about Spartan Races, but lets get to the point of this post: the giveaway. So if you are interested in more, and would like to read more of my rambling, please check out some of my Spartan Race reviews.
My friends at Spartan Race have been awesome enough to provide one of my readers registration to any of their races (open heats, United States races only). Use the rafflecopter below to enter.
Don’t want to wait? Click THIS LINK for 15% off of any Spartan Race registration. Sign up, show up, don’t give up! AROO!
I am so excited for the Montreal Super – that will be my first “dirty” Spartan, as I only have Fenway and Citifield under my belt. Of course, I also have the PA & Amesbury Sprints, the NJ Super and the Vermont Beast lined up, too….hmmm…leaving me one Beast short of a double trifecta…
I’ve never run one, but I would LOVE to do New England. I’ve heard great things!
New England is an amazing course, Becki!!
I ran my first Spartan Sprint in North Carolina last March. I absolutely loved it. I had the pleasure of running my first stadium series with you and I’m looking forward to the Amesbury Sprint, Jersey Super, VA Super and the VT Beast baby!!!!
I’ve done only 2 so far, one with you:) I am looking forward to many more throughout the summer and fall!
Soooo awesome! AZ Sprint was my first, but I’m completely hooked!
What a great giveaway! Can’t wait for my Trifecta next year!
And what fun we had Marcie! I think my legs still hurt from all of those stairs, haha! Can’t wait to race with you again!
I haven’t run a Spartan, but I have family running New England this August and I’d love to join them! 🙂
Can I win half a spartan race?!
Can I win half a spartan race?!
I have run 1 Sparten super, 2 Herorushes, Brian Bills Memorial winter OCR, am signed up for a bone frog challenge, a Sparten sprint, a beast,an urban raid and SHALE HILL TRAINING(Shale hill Vermont fixed obstacle curse run by Rob Butler(shameless plug for a great place)). I started last year as a means to get myself in shape for the Army, my family, and my life. I now am trying to patiently make my kids drink the kool aid, and have spread the contagion to my civilian hospital and army hospital(405th CSH). Next year, if things fall right, I might try for double trifecta, as my kids won a season pass for Sparten races for daddy. I have even joined the New England Spahtens on facebook(GO here now and race with the best team(shameless plug))I will be 60 when my last girl gets out of highschool, It would be nice that her “boyfriends” felt a little fear from an old man. Thanks for your blog.
tpm kelly, http://www.nespahtens.com are THE BEST TEAM EVER (I totally agree!) And yeah, a spear throwing, fire leaping dad? I can imagine her boyfriends will be intimidated! AROO!
Go Sparta!
I want to do one in NY… Spartans, bring a race to Syracuse!
I have never done one but would love to do the sprint at Fenway!
Thanks for putting this on! Love me some Spartan Races, even moreso when they’re free! Great blog!
Love reading your blog Heather!
Montreal is my first Spartan in 2013, CAN’T. WAIT.
I love Spartan Race! I’ve only done the Sprint and Time Trial but plan on doing the Super/Beast next year.
I usually just run in the NE area but have thought about going out west cause I’ve heard good things about some of their SR’s
I’m registered for the Sunday PA Spartan Sprint…can’t wait to test myself!!
I’m still trying to find a Super I can do to get my Trifecta this year. But sooo loving Spartan races. Except for the burpees. 🙂
I am trying for a triple trifecta this year. I can not wait to run the beast in Vermont this year!
I want to run the beast distance to challenge myself to the fullest
Been wanting to do a Spartan race–would love to do one with you! Here’s hoping I win….
I’ve never run a spartan race, but would love to. I’d pick the midwest super spartan because it’s near my house.
Curious… will you be doing a blog post to explain your new persona? You are absolutely correct in this post– Spartan Races are tough!
Amy L….check out the post previous to this one (from yesterday). It explains everything 🙂 thanks for reading!
I’ve never done one but really want to! Probably PA
I’ve ran three Spartan races – Texas Beast, Vegas Super, and Texas Sprint (aroo, I just got my trifecta!). I really want to go do the Vermont Beast next year, it’s such a classic, famous Spartan Race.
I haven’t run one yet – but I want to do Fenway!
Yikes, do I dare enter this?
This is completely new territory for me, but it looks totally kick ass!!! I would love to do the sprint at Fenway Park!
I don’t tweet, but I shared your blog/giveaway on FB!
Super excited for my first Sprint and Hurricane Heat (you all talked me into it) in August. Next year I hope to go for the trifecta!
I am super excited for my first Sprint and Hurricane Heat (you all talked me into) and hope for a Trifecta next year!
Would love to try a Spartan Race…..seems really hard, but really fun. Kara
I have not run a Spartan race yet, but I see there is one in my area next February, which give me plenty of time to train! RAWR
Love Spartan Race! Can’t wait to run my next one!! Great new blog by the way 🙂
I’ve run the Indiana Sprint and *loved* it! Registered for the Midwest Super and Vermont Beast…woot! Love your boots…thanks so much for the motivation!
Finished the Indiana Sprint and registered for the Midwest Super and Vermont Beast! Love the bog…and thanks so much for the motivation!
Love Spartan! I have my second of the season next week!!
I have never run one before, but my husband LOVES them. I am hoping to run with him this year in New England.
I have not run a Spartan, but I would LOVE to do the Fewnway Park challenge!
I regretted not doing the Spartan here in Indy a month ago. I’m hoping to do it next year.
I’ve been dying to run the Spartan Race! I’ve done other mud runs and this one is definitely on my must-do list! I would most likely run the Spartan Sprint Special Ops in Tampa because it’s the closest. If I can get a babysitter for the whole weekend, I might try to make it to Miami for the Super Spartan!
I could of swore that I already commented, but here I go again. It’s go big or go home year for me. My first year of doing OCR’s I’m chasing a Trifecta. Ran GA Sprint and already registered for Carolina Beast, so now I just need a Super.
Addicted to Spartan races! upcoming is Monterey Beast!! Can’t wait!!
I think I’d like to try the Super Spartan. I ran my first OCR last year (Run for Your Lives) and had a blast. I’ve improved in my running and fitness since then and I’d like to challenge myself!
I ran the Spartan Beast in December 2012 and would run the same race again!
I ran the Spartan Beast in December 2012 and would run the same race again!
DFW!
Vermont Ultra beast is my goal!!
Did I win? Wow. Midwest Super here I come!
Did I win? Wow. Midwest Super here I come!