RUNNING UPHILL CARRYING HEAVY SH*T (Ottawa Spartan's listen up!)

This is why I suggest pants.
You've been warned

I was hoping the results would be in but alas...I'll get you my preliminary numbers and perhaps some advice to all of you weekend warriors, off to the Ottawa Spartan race in weeks to come.


Over 14,000 people registered for this past weekends Spartan race.  Just on my day, over 200 people didn't finish.  The times varied from at around 40 min., for the fastest person, to the longest time being 10 hrs! I placed 803 out of 5910 on Saturday, with a time of 1:08. Thankfully they did the math and I was in the top 13% overall. These are preliminary stats as I said, I'm waiting on my official standings for the overall woman's category.  The average time looks to be around the 1:30 mark. This was a killer.

3+ miles, check. I will say definite, on the plus and 15 + obstacles, check.  Brutal and beautiful. This wasn't my first Spartan Sprint but by far the toughest one yet.  I try to get one in every year to challenge my mental toughness, stamina, strength and determination. Keeps me motivated.  Even though, I've done this before I still found opportunity to learn something.  Next year, I will be picking a race closer to summer because it's just more enjoyable.  This years Montreal race was chilly. This time I came prepared.  When it's nice you're far more likely to hang out afterward because unlike other running type races the tendency is to stick around for a bit, watch the other racers, have a drink, talk about your ordeal, etc... It's a strange little community of masochists.  Unless you've crossed that finish line yourself you really won't understand.

For those Spartan warriors attempting Ottawa's run, here's what I have taken away from my experiences.  Hope it's useful.

Just when you think you’re in great shape, there will
be someone even bigger, faster, and stronger passing  you as you trudge up the hill about as quickly as molasses. When you think you’re well prepared, there will be someone more ready than you who's able to blow past you while pulling a heavy weight, uphill, in the mud… and when you think you’re the toughest, there will always be someone more ready to kick even more ass than you. Don't be discouraged, persevere. You're stronger than you think. Plus it's fun and as they say, "You'll know at the finish line!"

-Have cash for parking and change for your bag drop off which should have some form of post workout food in it.

-Bring plastic bags to throw your dirty, stinky clothes in.

-Be sure to bring towels for yourself and your car seats if you choose not to change
-Warm clothes for after the race if it happens to be chilly (overcast and under 20C is chilly when wet)
-Wear form-fitting clothing made of lightweight synthetic material that won’t weigh you down when wet.
- Cover those knees! Wear tight fitting pants, tight fitting capris or knee pads.  You have been warned.
-Leave the sunglasses at home; they’re usually the first casualty on the course, with iPods, wallets, and car keys a close second.
-You can wear gloves but they may get bogged down with mud.  If you have tender hands they're a good idea when it comes to the ropes, walls and snow but make sure they are snug.  Yup, snow.
-Train in your race outfit to make sure it is comfortable
-Wear shoes that you're not afraid to throw away.
-Look for a light weight, snug fitting (so they won’t come off in a mud pit) shoes with great traction. Not low profile you'll want some cushion when your going down those steep hills.  Oh, the knees.
-Tie them shoes TIGHT remember the mud? It wants to eat your shoes.
-Learn to love the burpee! It’s in your best interest to start practicing burpees ASAP; a failed or skipped obstacle will result in punishment -30 burpees.
-Barbed wire.  Roll if you can, rather than crawl
- Tie your hair low. No top knots. I've seen lots of hair get caught in the barbed wire.
-If the unpredictability of Spartan races makes you nervous, control the things you can, like your pre-race.  Warm up and do some dynamic stretches.
-There’s more running than you think. Not the regular running, but uphill running; and a lot of it. In mud. And did I say up the hill, in mud? Oh and on slippery rocks, up hill in the mud.
-Hydrate yourself. Before the race, the day before the race and a few days before that.

-Try to start near the front unless you want to wait in-line to complete various obstacles. If you're not going for time, just survival then stay at the back and take the rests.
-I know it's a timed race but work as a team. Help others.
-Don't stop.  Keep walking, no matter how slow.  Just keep going.
-Stay positive! After what feels like hours and umpteen obstacles, and dozens of burpees, a Spartan warrior may feel like they hit a wall but it's all in fun. It’s supposed to be tough. That’s what makes it even greater when you’re done—knowing that you've truly been challenged and finished.

How to get ready for the next Spartan Race, Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash.  My thoughts. Take them or leave them.

-Train your cardio system but don't worry too much about the long runs, unless your long runs involve carrying 30 - 50 lbs, uphill in the mud - I didn't think so.  But if you’re going to do long run, focus on interval training. Sprint, Run, Jog. Perhaps a burpee or two or 30.  Best get used to them.
-Definitely find some hills because that's what you'll be running or rather walking.
-Build up strength. Learn to do pull-ups, push-ups and as I mentioned before, burpees. You may want to look into various Pull vs. Push training regiments.
-Try to do as much training on the trails as possible. Get those feet and ankles used to uneven terrain. If you use treadmills, run on an incline to simulate the ski hill you'll be traversing several times.
-Do some functional training, kettlebells, sand bags but no machines. Find some awkward, heavy objects and walk with them up a hill.  Bring them on your runs in a backpack.  Find a trail and do a loop, carry the weight for 100 m, drop it, run the loop, carry. You get the gist. Maybe even do a relay with a friend.  They run, you carry, switch, they carry, you run.  If their slow you can yell at them. What fun!