Last week I completed my 2nd Spartan Race. It was a Spartan Sprint on one of the toughest Spartan courses in the US: Blue Mountain ski resort in Palmerton, PA. It was a blast! 2,000+ vertical feet of running up and down the mountain, for over 4 miles, through 26 obstacles.
And to make it better, I completed it with my 17 year old son. We trained for weeks (months...) and were as ready as we could be. It was another event to accomplish my simple race goals which I have maintained for years: finish; don't get injured; don't throw up... For our Spartan Race last week: mission accomplished.Joe DeSena founded as Peak Races in 2007 as the predecessor to Spartan Races; the first Spartan race was held in 2010. The Spartan Races have gained incredible momentum in just 7 years...
De Sena's original goal was 'rip people off the couch.' He recognized that our western culture has been on a slouching, lethargic stroll toward ill health and preventable, premature death. For the immediate influence Spartan Races have gained, I'd say De Sena's vision is being realized race by race. Now thousands of competitors join at every venue across the US, and across 14 other countries, challenging the status quo.
How about you? Do you have something driving you to get off the couch? Are you willing to challenge the status quo around you? You can be a catalyst for change in a way that motivates you and challenges your wellness choices... today's your day.
By the Way
We finished in about 3 1/2 hours, which wasn't great, and wasn't terrible. We overcame several of the obstacles by teaming up on them - you're encouraged to tackle difficult obstacles together, if that will get you through (and it prevents you from doing penalty burpees.) It was awesome...
