Anyone ever done a Spartan Race?

[Cowbells]

My CrossFit box started a team for the Spartan Race that will be held in my state next spring. I'd love to join, but I'm pretty nervous. They are doing the beast (12 miles).

I've been crossfitting 4-5 times a week since last January and the race isn't until next spring. What kind of training do you do for a race like this? Obviously, I want CrossFit to continue to be a huge part of my fitness and training routine. Should I also work in some running and if so when and how much?

Any advice, words of encouragement, or stories of your Spartan Race are welcome!

[spunkypenguin]

I did Tough Mudder last fall, which is similar. I think my course was around 11 miles. I had a really good running base, but completely lacked in the strength training part. The things I struggled with most were the obstacles needing upper body strength - I have strong legs, so if I could rely on my legs, I was good to go. Some of my teammates did not have a good running base and did fine. I did see a lot of macho guys getting cramps with all the running, though, so you may want to work a little on endurance. My course was very hilly and all "trail" running - through fields, dirt, woods, etc.

I thought I was going to hate it and was super nervous right up until I started out on the course. It was hard and challenging for sure. During the race and immediately after, I told myself "Never again," but now I'm thinking that I'd like to do another next year or the year after. I will not slack on the upper body training this time around!!

[finallykrisb]

Oct 2, 2014 5:06:51 GMT -5 spunkypenguin said:

I did Tough Mudder last fall, which is similar. I think my course was around 11 miles. I had a really good running base, but completely lacked in the strength training part. The things I struggled with most were the obstacles needing upper body strength - I have strong legs, so if I could rely on my legs, I was good to go. Some of my teammates did not have a good running base and did fine. I did see a lot of macho guys getting cramps with all the running, though, so you may want to work a little on endurance. My course was very hilly and all "trail" running - through fields, dirt, woods, etc.

I thought I was going to hate it and was super nervous right up until I started out on the course. It was hard and challenging for sure. During the race and immediately after, I told myself "Never again," but now I'm thinking that I'd like to do another next year or the year after. I will not slack on the upper body training this time around!!

This eases my mind about still doing the Tough Mudder in a month even though two hand surgeries derailed my training.

[jamalynn]

I've done the Spartan Sprint and the Tough Mudder. With Spartan, you do the obstacles by yourself and with Tough Mudder, it's more of a team event. You definitely need endurance to run 11 miles but a lot of it is through mud so you can't go fast. If you don't complete an obstacle, you have to do 30 burpees.

As for workouts, crossfit is good. You need to be able to pull your body up a lot. Pull ups and push ups are great.

GL!