Spartan Race Post-Race Report
Trifecta Weekend Complete!
I owe you an update, and I apologize for the delay. Since you know, I'm safe and sound, but I've been pretty reclusive since my return from Seattle.
In case you're not aware of what I've been up to, I embarked on a personal journey that I never thought I'd be able to undertake. About two years ago, I started participating in Spartan races, thanks to my personal coaching team at Jennifer Dawn Coaching.
Leading up to September, I completed four separate races, including two 10k's and two 5k's, in Montana, Vermont, and Atlanta. After my most recent race in Atlanta, I set a personal goal to conquer all three course levels (21k, 10k, and 5k) in a single weekend. And you won't believe it, but I DID IT!
Image from the 21k
Still smiling, this was probably at mile 6-7ish - I thought I was close to being done… Jokes on me.
Here's my recap:
The 21k race on Saturday went really well for me. I was well-rested and had overcome jet lag from being on the West Coast for a few days prior. I felt confident and ready to tackle the race. Although the first obstacle got in my head because I couldn't complete it, I knew I had plenty of race left, so I pushed through.
During the first half of the race, I ran alone but found encouragement from fellow participants. Spartan races have an incredible sense of camaraderie, with people passing by and offering words of encouragement. Whenever I felt my pace slowing, someone would motivate me to keep going.
I managed to successfully complete half of the 30 obstacles, which made me quite proud. There was a bit of walking between miles 8 and 10, but I finished the race feeling strong (although sore!). I realized I was stronger than I had thought, thanks in part to my coach Michelle, who constantly reminded me of my capabilities during training sessions and even FaceTimed me at the start line.
Completing the 21k race was a significant achievement for me, as it was my first one of that distance. I knew not to overexert myself because I had two more races scheduled for the following day. My primary goal was to finish, and I was pleasantly surprised by my time.
Once we hobbled back to our AirB&B it was all about rest and relaxation. Thankfully, the house came with a hot tub (hosts - sorry for all of the dirt that ended up in your hot tub!) which helped my muscles recover amazingly. Had a great dinner (made by the hubby) of pasta and bread and drank a ton of water and Liquid IV which kept me hydrated the entire weekend! A little reading before bed and was in dreamland likely before 8 pm, ready to wake up and do it all over again!
Spartan Race 10k Finish Photo
Day 2 Recap: 10k up first 5k to follow
I woke up feeling fantastic, did some stretching, and knew I was well-prepared for a challenging day of racing. With the 10k as the first event on the agenda, I was mentally in the right place, physically feeling strong, and ready to take on the day. Having my supportive husband as my cheerleader, snapping photos and joining other spectators in cheering me on throughout the course, made me feel incredibly motivated.
I have to say, I absolutely dominated the 10k - ok, ok I FREAKING KILLED IT! It's hard to express how proud I was of myself. I felt amazing, and my performance reflected that. I tackled most of the obstacles with ease, just needing a helping hand on a few walls. Much of the race was spent running, even through challenging terrains like rocks, sand, and dirt, which I hadn't quite anticipated.
Throughout the entire race, I ran solo but drew energy from my adrenaline, a determined mindset, and the camaraderie of my fellow Spartans. It was an incredible experience! After finishing, I replenished with a banana and an energy bar, fueled up with Honey Stingers, and eagerly got back in line to conquer the 5k.
5k Recap:
After completing the challenging 10k race, the toughest part was waiting around for the 5k to begin. My body, from my bones and muscles down to every inch, was starting to tighten up and feel sore. I attempted to do some stretching at the start line while waiting, though I wasn't sure if it was helping or making it worse.
I was exhausted. To start the races, participants have to crawl under barbed wire and then hoist themselves over a wall—this is just to get to the starting line. Well, I was so tired that I couldn't even make it over that first wall; I needed a boost. I remember thinking that the man who helped me must have been wondering how I'd tackle the whole race if I couldn't get past this initial obstacle. But I refused to let it get to me or slow me down.
My mindset that day was incredibly strong and unwavering. When we finally got the green light to start, I took off from that starting line with a single thought: "I can't wait to reach the finish line and be done with this!" And I did just that, surprisingly quickly. There were some obstacles that my tired body couldn't handle, but I was fine with that. My goal wasn't to hurt myself; it was simply to finish, and that's exactly what I did. I crossed the finish line with a great time and felt a mix of exhaustion and excitement. Of course, my husband was there as my personal photographer, capturing all the moments. I was genuinely happy to be done!
Will I do it again?
