I started my Spartan Race journey in Tuxedo NY back in 2013. I went into that race having no idea what to expect and with no “special” training. Fast forward 4 years and I returned to do my 12th. Spartan Race. There were a few things that made this different from all the other years..but more on that later. This is one of my favorite venues for two reasons. It is super close to my house and the terrain makes for one of the hardest sprints Spartan puts on.
Warrior Dash recently added another venue to the 2017 season with a race in Cabot, Arkansas on October 14, 2017. Warrior Dash continues to add more venues to the 2017 season with Arkansas the latest addition.
Every so often you find a race that really does fit your personality. For me, it is Mud Hero, and yes, I like getting dirty, I like romping around with lots of obstacles to keep me entertained and I love a flat course so I don’t overdo it. This race returned to Commando Paintball located just outside of Ottawa.
In the OCR community, I find that more and more people are getting together from all fitness levels and backgrounds to form teams. The teams then take a course by the horns, ensuring that each team member starts and finishes together. I find teams of women empowering, and when I think of the UK Mudd Queens, three words come to mind: Empower, Encourage and Teamwork. I first heard about the UK Mudd Queens (an all women's obstacle racing group based in the UK) from members of the Canadian Mudd Queens and I was intrigued.
Spartan Race teased earlier this spring a new race in Iceland. Today details of the 24-Hour race set to take place December 16, 2017, in Reykjavik, Iceland have been released. Spartan Race is set to hold it's first "Ultra World Championship" 24-hour Spartan Race. The course will feature 24-hours of racing on a 5-mile course with over 30- man-made and natural obstacles. More than $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Full press release below.
Before the race, I spent an hour reviewing the trailer and the team photos for the new season of Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge. It felt like March Madness where I pick teams based on as little information as possible. Turns out my initial assessments were wrong. Apolo Ohno called it right. This year's completion will require more teamwork than ever before.
Spartan Race Virginia changed locations in 2017. Last year, a very challenging Wintergreen Resort hosted the Super/Sprint weekend. Rumors are that a change was made because of too much litter on the course, which upset Wintergreen management, which I think is totally fair.
One of the most common environmental challenges in endurance OCRs, especially of the Tough Mudder variety, is cold stress. World’s Toughest Mudder is famous for being a race where a wetsuit is normally required for successful completion of 24 hours on the course. As humans, we have really strange reactions to cold stress, so let’s talk about the best practices for dealing with the cold.
At the beginning of Episode One, we get the first glance of Camp Grit. The camp is a resort looking compound nestled on a lake in Coastal Georgia. The Cadre is enjoying breakfast and discussing with John Cena what their leadership approach will be. At this time the competitors start to make their entrance one by one.
Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge Season 2 airs tonight at 10:00 pm ET on NBC after the premiere of Season 9 of American Ninja Warrior. This year Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge's format has had a makeover. The major changes for season two are the urban environment and the night time shooting.
