SPARTANRACE.

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MARCH 2014
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:
SPARTAN UP!
WITH FOUNDER
JOE DE SENA
HUNTER MCINTYRE
FORGING A LEGACY
FROM BLOOD, SWEAT, &
DETERMINATION
PULLING BACK THE
VEIL ON THE SPARTAN
SPARTAN RACE
INVADES
RAYMOND JAMES
STADIUM
HURRICANE HEAT
SPARTAN MAGAZINE
EDITOR IN CHIEF
John Ziegler
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Meghan Milward
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Joshua Mormann
STAFF WRITERS
Jason Jaksetic
Tony Matesi
CONTRIBURING WRITER
Holly Joe Berkey
SPARTAN RACE SERIES
FOUNDER & CEO
Joe De Sena
COO
Jeffrey Connor
VP MARKETING
Colby Balazs
VP SPONSORSHIP
AND MEDIA SALES
Ian Lawson
Sign up to receive our monthly
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www.spartanrace.com
Copyright 2014
Spartan Race
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO:
Gentlemen We have to stop living a bor-
ing, robotic life where everything is a copy
of a copy of a copy We have to wake the
f#ck up and understand that life is not what
theyre telling us. Tyler Durden, Fight Club
Most people spend the bulk of their lives working hard for
the future. What they fail to realize is that the best part of
the journey may in fact be the journey- not the destination.
Does it make sense to work hard for 50 years to then start
living? Why not start living now? True SPARTANs are those
who are willing to jumpstart their lives now, get healthy,
improve their habits and make new friends who are doing
the same. SPARTAN is much more than a race. Its is a way
of life, a philosophy that teaches you how to respect time,
delay gratification, change your frame of reference, build
obstacle immunity, and become successful no matter what
you pursue.
Still sitting there wondering if you can do this? If you
have what it takes to be a SPARTAN and cross the finish
line? Remember the only real failure in life is the failure to
try! I have seen thousands upon thousands of people at
our events that I honestly wasnt sure would make it. Some
I couldnt help but think that there might be a call for a
medic to come get them because they just couldnt take
another step. I am here to tell you that 99% of the time I
am wrong, and nothing makes me happier. Seeing people
get off the couch, answer the call, and take on courses
that we design to push elite level athletes, tells me that
the world is looking for something different, something to
feel inspired. They are tired of looking outward for inspira-
tion to make a change, they are looking to do something
themselves and BE the inspiration for others. This just
proves that SPARTAN is a way of life people can get on
board with and connect with.
Its time to do something different, to BE the inspiration for
others. Nothing does that quite like becoming a SPARTAN.
Joe De Sena
Founder and CEO, Spartan Race
2 | LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER | SPARTANRACE.COM
| Spartan Up! With Joe De Sena
A sneak peak at the take-no-prisoners
guide to overcoming obstacles and
acheiving peak performance in life
| Tampa Special Ops Sprint
Tampa held the first Spartan Race that
combimed a stadium race with the
original Spartan mud race
| Las Vegas
Experience Sin City, Spartan style.
| Pulling Back the Veil on the
Spartan Hurricane Heat
Ever thought of signing up for a
Spartan Hurricane Heat? Heres
what you need to know.
| Hunter McIntyre
Forging a Legacy From Blood,
Sweat, & Determination
| Does Being a Spartan Make
You a Better Lover?
We think so, and heres proof
| Sodium 101
Less is more - cut down on sodium
by eating fresh foods. Heres what
you need to know about sodium
| Coaches Corner
Joe De Sena goes over the basics
of conquering your first Spartan Race
CONTENTS
4
8
12
16
22
28
32
36
28
22
SPARTANRACE.COM | TABLE OF CONTENTS | 3
4 | SPARTAN UP! | SPARTANRACE.COM
T
he day the U.S. Olympic wrestling team
touched down at the airport after a five-
hour flight, I made sure that they were
confronted with the unexpected. They were
not told why they were coming to see me, and
they didnt know what they would be experi-
encing upon arrival. Their coach had arranged
the trip, but some of the best wrestlers in the
world were in the dark about the venture and
what kind of training they would encounter.
I wanted to give them a proper introduction to
the Spartan lifestyle. I made certain that when
they arrived, no one was
there to greet them. Their
destination, an organic
farm in the mountains of
Vermont, was a 10-mile
uphill hike away. Dumb-
founded, these wrestlers
stood holding suitcases,
dressed for a business
meeting rather than a mountain hike. Without
a vehicle, they had to walk the entire distance
carrying their gear. I had made sure they had
no alternative. So off they trudged to train for
the weekend under my tutelage.
I know nothing about wrestling, but my team
and I are experts at turning someones world
upside down. To the team members, this
seemed like madness. Yet, there was a method
at work. I needed to see how these men would
react when their mettle was tested in such
crazy fashion. The answer would determine
if they were indeed Olympic quality athletes.
After all, there is only one gold medal.
I had met the wrestling teams coach, Noel
Thompson, months earlier at an obstacle race
I organized. The course required a stretch of
kayaking, and at one point, you had to drag
the kayak 20 yards through waist-deep mud.
All the other teams made it through, but Noel
got stuck. Not in the mud, mind you; his mind
vapor-locked, preventing him from wading
in with his kayak like the other racers had. I
instinctively grabbed him and his kayak and
pulled them both through the mud. On the
other side, I was able to push them downriver.
Later, after the race, the wrestling coach
approached me. Can I talk to you?
Sure, I said. Whats up?
He said, How did you learn to do that?
SPARTAN UP!
WITH JOE DE SENA
...IVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH ALREADY,
I PUSH THROUGH WHEN OTHERS WOULD
STOP... IN MY MIND, YOU JUST COMMIT
TO SOMETHING AND THEN GET IT DONE,
NO MATTER WHAT. Joe De Sena
Obstacle course racing combines the endurance
challenges of a marathon with the mind-bending
rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way,
and is taking the world by storm. At the center of
this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the founder of
Spartan Race.
In Spartan Up! De Sena gives you a life strategy
that will move you from your comfort zone to a
combat zone. As he breaks down race obstacles
detailing how each parallels real life experiences,
you will learn how to:
Conquer your will
Embrace discipline
Eliminate limitations
Achieve obstacle immunity
spartan.com/spartan-up-book
Pre-order your copy at:
spartan.com/spartan-up-book
and your purchase amount will go toward
any future Spartan Race Registration.
Spartan Up Rev3.indd 1 2/10/14 1:30 PM
6 | SPARTAN UP! | SPARTANRACE.COM
What do you mean? I asked. You just get
in the mud and go. I hadnt thought twice.
Thats how I always tackle life. Because Ive
been through so much already, I push through
when others would stop, even this coach who
trained world-class athletes. How could he
freeze in the mud? In my mind, you just com-
mit to something and then get it done, no
matter what. He had let self-doubt creep in
the number-one mistake people make.
You wont get stuck in mud during a wrestling
match, at least not during Olympic wrestling,
but you might get stuck in a crazy hold or
some other predicament. Wrestling is among
the most fluid of sports. A match has a begin-
ning and ending, but how it will unfold during
those five minutes is anybodys guess. Theres
no telling how much energy youll need to
expend, no telling what youll encounter.
Wrestling isnt linear like a marathon. Your
opponent may be wholly unpredictable, con-
tinuously trying to place you in unexpected
holds from which you cant escape.
So Noel sent his wrestlers to me because he
knew that I could teach them how to prepare
for the unexpected. I could show these elite
athletes that if they endured enough off the
mat, they could crush any challenge on the
mat. I wasnt preparing them to win, because
they wouldnt know what that required until
their match got underway. I was preparing
them for the unknown.
THE SPARTAN CHALLENGE
My name is Joe DeSena. Im the founder
of Spartan Race, a global lifestyle company
whose life-changing outdoor adventures
have taken the endurance world by storm.
You may not know what the Spartan Race is,
but a million hardcore fanatics define their
world around the rules that we have created
for them, and many more participate. Im
these peoples biggest supporter and their
worst nightmareboth at the same time.
My partners and I have staged races in front of
tens of thousands of people in far away places
like Slovakia and cool stadiums, including Citi
Field and Fenway Park, in the shadow of the
Green Monster. Three hundred thousand peo-
ple a day follow daily workouts that we post
on spartanrace.com and blast out across our
social media platforms. We put a free e-book
on our site, and to date its been downloaded
more than half a million times. After mixed
SPARTANRACE.COM | SPARTAN UP! | 7
martial arts, obstacle racing is the worlds fast-
est-growing sport. Only people dont watch
these races; they participate in them.
Obstacle races present unique pitfalls designed
to exploit your weaknesses and leave you face
down in the mud. The stump jump ambushes
your balance, monkey bars target your grip, and
hill climbs set traps for your stamina. This requires
total athleticism, absolute discipline and men-
tal toughness. Youll encounter things you cant
control or understand or perhaps even imagine,
so you need to be at your best. Like the origi-
nal Spartans, I built my philosophy on a blend
of hardcore modern science and obscure philo-
sophical teachings, all given my own unique spin.
To me it all boils down to one thing: to reach full
potential, you need to UNLEARN every impor-
tant thing modern society has taught you.
Spartan Race developed out of a series of
events my friends and I called Death Races,
long-distance events that made marathons
look like childs play. The race waiver read,
You might die, and on more than one occa-
sion, we nearly did. Death races gauged our
strengths, our weaknesses and our commit-
ment to finish what we started.
I didnt know it but these extreme adven-
tures had historical precedent in the Spartan
warriors of ancient Greece. They might train
for 30 years before entering battle. They
developed a concept that would take science
another 2,500-plus years to provethat suc-
cess is a byproduct of delayed gratification.
This was confirmed scientifically in 1972 when
Walter Mischel, then a Stanford researcher,
gave child subjects their preferred treata
marshmallow, cookie, or pretzelas well as
a choice: They could eat the treat right away
or wait 15 minutes, at which point they could
receive two. The researchers found that those
kids who were willing to postpone gratifica-
tion became more successful adults than
those kids who couldnt wait.

Unfortunately, instant gratification guides
so much of modern-day life. The individual
lacking self-control wants things from others
now, but they themselves couldnt be both-
ered to put in the work and get shit done. So
they shortchange themselves and our society
time and time again with disastrous long-term
results. Our self-control pales next to the Spar-
tans. Im convinced they would have looked at
us with disgust and disbelief.
Having thankfully developed a Spartan will
myself, as a way of transcending a pretty crappy
childhood, I wondered how I could pass along this
transcendent feeling to colleagues, my friends,
my kids and others. I didnt want to lecture them; I
wanted to inspire them. The idea I hit upon was to
organize races for them, initially as a way to evalu-
ate prospective employees for my business. I was
working a high-powered job on Wall Street back
then. On the surface, everyone who came to see
me seemed Type A, but when things got tough,
I needed to know: Who would survive? Who
would drop out? These races would weed out the
exceptional from the merely good, the average or
the poor. The first official Spartan Race took place
in 2005. A phenomenon was born.
n
Joe De Sena,
Founder & CEO
of Spartan Race
8 | SPECIAL OPS SPRINT | SPARTANRACE.COM
A
rainbow sprawled across the sky above
Raymond James Stadium, home of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as over 5,000
anxious racers approached the field Saturday
morning. An excited rumble rose into the air
as teams gathered, collected their bibs, num-
bered headbands, and prepared for a race like
none they had ever done before. After much
anticipation, Spartan Race had finally arrived
in Tampa, Florida.
Spartan Race introduced their stadium race
series, providing a unique twist to the typical
outdoor obstacle race, in late 2012, hosting
them in famous ballparks such as Citi Field,
Miller Park, and Fenway Park. These events
trade in the technical terrain of the typical race,
for steep sets of stairs and tall winding ramps.
Despite the distinct change in setting, each sta-
dium race still offers many of the staple Spartan
obstacles, strategically placed throughout the
mazelike halls of the stadium, creating an urban
challenge that is unlike any other.
The Tampa Spartan Race was especially
unique, being the first stadium race in which
participants not only tackled a coliseum of
obstacles and stairs, but they also, in true Spar-
tan fashion, crossed the finish line with mud in
their shoes and a smile on their face. All previ-
ous stadium races have left racers earning their
medal by way of a grueling indoor adventure,
but these races had each been dirt and mud-
free due to the specific restrictions of the host
stadium. The Tampa course wound racers not
only throughout the entire stadium, but it also
led competitors outdoors to then traverse
muddy hills, get sprayed by a grinning volun-
teer wielding a fire hose, complete burpees in
the trampled grass, and descend waist deep
into murky water to take on the rope climb. Not
only was mud experienced outside the stadium,
the field had been transformed into a giant barb
wire crawl, complete with dirt hills, barrels, fake
bombs, and barricades to hinder progress.
Being the first Special Ops themed event, this
race also hosted unique obstacles and chal-
lenges that boasted a special military focus.
Waves were released every 15 minutes, and
each began with a rousing speech in which
anxious contenders raised their voices in an
adrenaline-filled chant, I am a Spartan! and
then concluded with an ecstatic Hoorah! (in
place of the standard Aroo!). With that final
TAMPA SPARTAN
SPECIAL OPS
SPRINT
BY:
HOLLY JOY BERKEY,
MUDDYMOMMY.COM
SPARTANRACE.COM | SPECIAL OPS SPRINT | 9
10 | SPECIAL OPS SPRINT | SPARTANRACE.COM
cry, participants were then sent traveling up a
circular ramp several stories high, beginning
their nearly 4 mile adventure.
All levels of the stadium were utilized during
the race, as runners wound up and down count-
less flights of stairs, encountering obstacle after
obstacle along the way. Inside the stadium, wall
climbs of varying heights, over/unders, a sand-
bag carry set at one of the steepest sections
of stairs in the stadium, and the Hobie Hop
(a resistance band fastened around the ankles
prior to ascending and descending a flight of
stairs) did their best to tire out even the most
seasoned athlete. While the traverse wall and a
football throw into a barrel threatened 30 bur-
pees for any participant who failed to complete
them. The barbed wire crawl was a fantastic
focal point of the course, spanning the entire
length of the field, and was the final energy-
sucking obstacle before racers were sent out of
the stadium to continue on their journey.
Once outside the stadium, the challenge inten-
sified as participants encountered the Herculean
Hoist (an extremely heavy concrete bucket that
runners were to hoist into the air and then lower
with control), Atlas Carry (a concrete ball - 100lbs
for men and 60lbs for women - carried a distance,
a required 5 burpees, and then carried back), an
steep inverted wall climb, and a military themed
obstacle in which each participant was to carry
two heavy ammunition boxes at their sides. As if
that gauntlet of strength sucking obstacles wasnt
enough to exhaust each competitor, it was then
time to take on the ever-daunting spear throw (a
challenge that dished out burpee penalties for
many throughout the day), which was directly
SPARTANRACE.COM | SPECIAL OPS SPRINT | 11
followed by the dreaded rope climb, an obstacle
that proves to be the Achilles heel of many who
are faced with it. Finally, with one last splash
through mud, a slanted wall climb, and trium-
phant leap over fire, racers victoriously crossed
the finish line to receive their one-of-a-kind Spe-
cial Ops medal and Spartan Sprint trifecta piece.
The elite competition was intense, as athletes
from around the country arrived to compete
for a coveted podium finish. Top three place-
ments for men were earned by Iaiah Vidal,
Hunter McIntyer, and Brakken Kraker, and for
women by Cassidy Watton, Amelia Boone,
and Kailee Whipple.
Not only were adults able to claim their Spar-
tan victory, but a and full mile kids race was
also available for children aged 4 through 13.
Small Spartans were sent out at 10am, 12pm,
and 2pm, giving them the opportunity to take
on a course designed just for them, and to
earn a medal all their own. Similar to the adult
course, the kids race also incorporated obsta-
cles that were positioned both inside and
outside of the stadium, and it provided the
perfect amount of fun mixed with challenge
for the young Spartans. Parents were welcome
to join in and run with their child, or proudly
cheer from the sidelines.
Post-race, a rousing festival area bustled
with activity. Several vendors had set up shop,
showcasing their products. Spectators and rac-
ers were able test their skills at rope climbing,
flipping tires, and completing pull-ups as well
as warming up with the Spartan SGX coaches.
Sponsors such as Reebok, Core Power, Air
National Guard, Eco Vessel as well as a list of
others gave both spectators and racers alike
plenty to look at and do in the festival area.
The atmosphere was electric, and many finish-
ers stuck around to enjoy their accomplishment
with fellow Spartans.
The Tampa Special Ops Spartan Sprint was
a fantastic challenge, and was a great way to
introduce many new adventure seekers to the
Spartan Race series. A myriad of new fans
were created at this unique and exciting event,
and the quest for the Trifecta began for many
at this one-of-a-kind Spartan Sprint.
Have you tried a Spartan Race yet? If not, sign
up today and find out why so many people are
addicted to this great racing series! Check out
our upcoming events at www.spartanrace.com.
n
SPARTANRACE.COM | LAS VEGAS | 13
S
in City! Entertainment Capital of the
World! Las Vegas doesnt get those high
profile nicknames just for any old reason.
Home of the April 4th and 5th Spartan Race,
this high profile city is known for its adult enter-
tainment and extravagant night life. Located
in the middle of Nevada, Las Vegas has over
39,000,000 visitors annually, for good reason.
Las Vegas has some of the most high class casi-
nos and hotels in the world, making it a common
travel spot for bachelor parties and other simi-
lar events helping it receive the popular slogan
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
To accommodate the glamorous night life,
this city has many mega resorts and casinos
that have names and themes that conjure
the feeling of romance, mystery, and thrill.
Although these hotels will cost you a pretty
penny to stay at, they provide surreal expe-
riences and have enough amenities so you
might never have to or want to leave. A vast
majority of the popular resorts and casinos are
located on the famous Vegas Strip, which is
a 4.2-mile stretch of night clubs, theaters, casi-
nos, bars, and other entertainment venues. If
you are into the glitz and glamor of the Las
Vegas Strip and want to be in the middle of
the action, these are a few options that you
might be interested in taking a look at.
MGM Grand Built in 1993, this hotel has just
under 7,000 rooms. With a casino located
inside the hotel, it has its own set of spas,
restaurants, shows, shopping centers.
Luxor Famous for its famous pyramid
structure, this hotel has its own shopping
center, resorts, spas, and restaurants.
Those are just two of the many hotels on The
Strip. If you arent looking to spend a fortune on
a room in the heart of the city, there are many
hotels outside of The Strip that are just as luxu-
rious and are a short cab ride away from the
nightlife without burning a hole in your pocket.
Some of the highest rated hotels that arent
on The Strip are the Red Rock Casino Resort &
Spa which got 4/5 stars on Yelp! as well as The
M Resort Spa & Casino. Red Rock Resort has
great amenities such as its own casino, bowling,
and 3d IMAX! Meanwhile The M Resort Spa &
Casino received 4 stars on Yelp for amenities
that include dining, a spa, 92,000 square foot
casino, and a fine wine cellar. For a nice 4 star
reviewed hotel without all the amenities, there
is the Hampton Inn located a little north of Las
Vegas, further away from all the night life.
Las Vegas offers opportunities for other activ-
ities as well such as hiking and rock climbing.
LAS VEGAS
BY COREY THE INTERN
14 | LAS VEGAS | SPARTANRACE.COM
If you would like to experience an outdoorsy
excursion during your stay in Las Vegas, Red
Rock Canyon is a perfect getaway for you. Red
Rock Canyon is located on the western out-
skirts of Las Vegas and features 100s of trails
for all levels of athletes. A hike through this
terrain in the desert would be a perfect warm
up and/or cool down during your visit for the
April 4/5 Spartan Race. The entry fee for Red
Rock Canyon is $7 per vehicle; so grab a few
buddies and bring plenty of water and get in
some of the best hikes and views in Nevada.
If the weather isnt typical to the sunny and dry
climate of the Nevada deserts, there is an indoor
rock climbing facility 15 minutes away from the
strip called the Red Rock Climbing Center. Fea-
turing 35 foot walls with challenges ranging from
beginner levels to expert the Red Rock Climbing
Center offers an exciting indoor alternative to
outdoor climbing. Other fun recreational activi-
ties include paintball at Combat Zone Paintball,
many gun ranges to go shooting, sky diving,
and mountain hikes. If you want to relax and get
some tee time, there are numerous golf courses
in the surrounding areas such as Bears Best Las
Vegas and The Wynn Golf Club that are highly
recommended and have 4.4 out of 5 stars.
After these physical activities, you might
be tired and hungry, and being hungry in
Las Vegas shouldnt be too big of a problem,
there are hundreds of restaurants. Too many
to choose from for you? Here are some of
the healthier options we could find:
Greens and Proteins - Offering all of your
SPARTANRACE.COM | LAS VEGAS | 15
favorite menu items with a healthy twist, all
organic ingredients with a smoothie and juice
bar perfect for a pre/post workout meal.
SkinnyFats - Creating a fun and healthy eating
environment catering to many health needs,
yummy and delicious food to make any foodie
happy. Fresh squeezed juices and fruits.
There is no reason a Spartan Warrior wouldnt
enjoy Sin City, sporting hundreds of fun activi-
ties not listed, it would be a perfect destination
for a first time Spartan, or a true Spartan Race
veteran. So come on down to Sin City and
experience the glitz and glamor during the
night and then kick butt during a Spartan Race
in the morning. Register here for the April 4th
and 5th Super Spartan and experience the
best weekend of your life.
n
16 | HURRICAN HEAT | SPARTANRACE.COM
SPARTANRACE.COM | HURRICAN HEAT | 17
W
hen Hurricane Irene threatened the
East Coast and forced Spartan Race
to shut down our Sunday Amesbury
race in August 2011, our athletes, staff, vol-
unteers, and crew were devastated. We are
Spartans though, and we werent about to quit.
After some creative planning and 9,000
emails to set up the logistics, more than 150
Spartans showed up at 5am that Saturday
morning to tackle the Amesbury course with
Spartan Founder Joe De Sena and Spartan
employees. Little did the brave runners know,
they would be put on teams with strangers,
forced to carry sandbags and do 30 burpees
at every obstacle, whether they got through
it cleanly or not. But they did not toil alone.
Alongside their teammates they forged Spar-
tan bonds of camaraderie and teamwork. This
is the heart and soul of the Hurricane Heat. It
was in these hours of pouring rain, sandbags,
obstacles and endless burpees that the Hur-
ricane Heat was born.
OKAY, BUT WHAT IS THE
HURRICANE HEAT?
The Hurricane Heat gives runners the chance
to meet and run with the staff, and sometimes
even the Founders of Spartan Race, in a unique
and memorable way. The Hurricane Heat is
held early in the mornings of the race and occa-
sionally lasts into the evening. There is always a
mandatory gear list and all Hurricane Heats will
venture on and off the Spartan Race Course at
the Race Directors desire. The goal of the Hur-
ricane Heat is to finish as teams. There are no
chips, no clock, just a fun run Spartan-style that
represents what our company and our athletes
are about getting up when youre knocked
down and finishing what you start.
The Hurricane Heat will teach you how to
work together, how to become a team. You
will learn the Warrior Ethos and the Seven Pil-
lars of Spartan. We live by the Spartan Code
and we lead by example. We embrace the
suck because we are the storm. Nothing will
stop us, together we can do anything.
WHY THE WARRIOR ETHOS?
By Todd Sedlak
The strength and power of the Hurricane Heat
is in the teams that band together to finish.
The Warrior Ethos, though used by the US
Army, is from a far older tradition. It was a
tradition embodied by the warrior people of
ancient Sparta. Through sacrifice each mem-
ber of a team works with others to accomplish
a goal that could never be accomplished
alone. Teamwork, mental strength and grit, are
what make the Hurricane Heat possible.
I will always place the mission first. Every
participant soon learns that their own per-
sonal needs and goals must be sacrificed in
order to succeed. Though many teams fight
with each other early on, once egos are set
aside success is achieved.
I will never accept defeat. Defeat is some-
PULLING BACK THE VEIL ON THE SPARTAN
HURRICANE HEAT
BY TONY MATESI
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thing that occurs in the mind, not on the field.
It is not an impossible task or an opponent that
will defeat you but rather giving up in your own
mind. Personal courage and perseverance will
see you through.
I will never quit. If you do not accept defeat,
you must still have the fortitude and strength
to go on. Not quitting is more than just refus-
ing to stop, it is the will to continue.
I will never leave a fallen comrade. Really,
this is what the Hurricane Heat is all about.
The strength of the team is worth more than
the sum of its members. Each task presented
in the Hurricane Heat cannot be accomplished
alone, and no team can move on without all
its members. Someone will always be slower,
someone will always be hurt, but it is not their
weakness that causes failure, but the strength
of their team that assures success.
WHAT IS A HURRICANE HEAT LIKE TODAY?
The Hurricane Heat began in 2011. It has been
a part of our company culture since then but
there has always been a certain veil that cloaked
it. Many consider it to be one of the secrets of
Spartan. No longer is that the case. Were taking
the cloak off and inviting YOU to join us and learn
about what it means to truly be a Spartan. The
Hurricane Heat is designed to break you down
over and over again crafting you into a unified
team, capable of overcoming the most difficult
of objectives. It will reveal your weaknesses and
exploit them until they are strengthened.
Every Hurricane Heat is unique. They are
designed to utilize a combination of what is
on the course and the surrounding area. Often
times there will be a series of missions or chal-
lenges that will need to be completed in order
to succeed. Burpees are the currency of the Hur-
SPARTANRACE.COM | HURRICAN HEAT | 19
20 | HURRICAN HEAT | SPARTANRACE.COM
ricane Heat. If something cant be accomplished
for whatever reason there is often times a burpee
cost that can get you out of it. Do note that not
all challenges have this option so dont bank on
being able to just bust out burpees to finish the
Hurricane Heat. We will cover a solid distance in
the 3-4 hour time span that Hurricane Heats typi-
cally last. Come prepared with food, water, and
anything else like salt tabs that you may need.
THE HURRICANE HEATERS PERSPECTIVE
By Brett Stewart
The absolute best part of Hurricane Heat is trying
to explain to your family or co-workers what you
did for several hours on Saturday morning. Once
you start describing the challenges you endured
and teamwork required do you begin to fully
realize what you actually accomplished. Seeing
the look on a friends face when you describe
the relentless activities you underwent actu-
ally crystallizes the real purpose of why Hurricane
Heat was created. Im not going to spoil that
AHA! moment for you, its one of those rare
gems that you can only get in life by truly search-
ing within yourself and finding a new focus and a
little deeper meaning in your life. Hurricane Heat
may not necessarily change you as a person, it
will at least remind you that no matter who you
are, theres much more inside of you than you
may have ever realized, and provide the grit to
sand down some of your exterior and let it show.
I went into Hurricane Heat 045 without a clear
vision of what challenges it would bring, and what
punishment it would entail. The one constant
that I knew from reading about previous HHs
was that there would be burpees - and plenty of
them. When I signed up, I really envisioned a lot
of hiking punctuated by sets of burpees on the
trail, and little else. I knew thered be some mys-
tery curveballs thrown our way, and it wasnt until
reflection later in the day - several hours after Id
finished - how many there actually were.
I am now a proud Hurricane Heat alumnus,
and am in an unique position to provide the
following advice:
Preparation is key for your gear and all
required items
Be mentally prepared for providing solutions;
your entire HH squad will be reliant on it
If you are a leader, then lead like you never
have before
WHAT IS THE HURRICANE
HEAT TWELVE HOUR?
The Hurricane Heat Twelve Hour was designed
to forge the next level of Spartans. Weve taken
the concept of the original Hurricane Heat,
expanded it to include an element of individual-
ity and kicked everything in between up to new
heights. If youve participated in a Hurricane Heat
and thought those 3-4 hours were tough just
wait until you set out on a twelve hour adventure
that will take place both on and off the Spartan
course. Youll develop the same team building
that is the foundation of the Hurricane Heat while
forging yourself as an individual as well. Expect
SPARTANRACE.COM | HURRICAN HEAT | 21
a lot of burpees, carrying heavy objects, mud,
submersion, and more. The HH12HR is created
to bridge the gap between a Spartan Race and
adventure races such as the Peak Death Race. If
youve ever wished to embark on a journey that
takes you past your comfort zone the Hurricane
Heat Twelve Hour is the next stop on the adven-
ture train.
The very first HH12HR will take place in the
City of Sin, good old Las Vegas, Nevada. The
HH12HR Tour will continue to take place in seven
additional locations throughout the 2014 Season.
Starting with Vegas the next stop is Monterey, CA
followed by the treacherous slopes of Winter-
green Mountain in Virginia. Then were headed
to the New Jersey Super, the SoCal Beast, the
Chicago Super and to close out the season the
Carolina Beast and Texas Beast. Eight locations
all across the United States. If you are looking for
an endurance challenge sign up for a Hurricane
Heat Twelve Hour quick, this event is limited to
100 participants at each venue. Sign up early to
ensure you dont miss out on the best, and most
exhaustive, twelve hours of your life.
Participants who finish, yes you may not fin-
ish this event, will be considered qualified to
sign up for the legendary Peak Death Race.
Finishers will receive a unique HH12HR T-shirt
as well as a one-of-a-kind HH12HR Finishers
Patch to sport on their ruck or a Tac-Hat.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Hurricane Heats will be making appearances
at several Spartan races so check the Hurricane
Heat or HH12HR event pages to find all the
locations they will be available at. During the
registration process you will see a HURRICANE
HEAT or HH12HR option that you can select if
the race has that event available. Good luck
and well see you out there. Remember come
prepared for anything and everything.
n
HUNTER MCINTYRE
SPARTANRACE.COM | HUNTER MCINTYRE | 23
H
ailing from the biggest city in the United
States, comes one of the biggest names
in the world of Spartan Racing, Hunter
McIntyre. I was born in New York, Hunter
tells us, and I was raised in Connecticut and
New York most of my life.
Hunter attended Fairfeld Ludlow High School
in Connecticut and John Jay High School in
New York where he mostly wrestled, his sport
of choice for most of his life. He spent two sea-
sons running on the cross-country team though
Hunter explains that he never really took it too
seriously and mostly enjoyed hanging out with
friends skateboarding in High School.
The path after college that Hunter took pro-
vides some interesting insight as to how he
became the athlete he is today. Moving to
Montana initially to attend college, Hunter
wound up working as a logger for a year, where
Hunter tells us he grew up.
I became a man when I was logging in Mon-
tana. Thats when I really started taking care of
myself physically. Being a logger takes more
than just strength, it takes a lot of grit as well.
Grit and physical exertion, sounds like the per-
fect formula for forging a Spartan. Eventually
Hunter returned to college in Rhode Island
where he started wrestling once again.
In 2011 Hunter moved to California that May
with a bunch of his friends to work on a start
up company one of his friends was working
on. They set up shop in a mansion that was
purchased to act as the offcial HQ of the com-
pany. A bunch of friends living in a mansion
in California? It comes as no surprise when
Hunter explains that, the place essentially
became a party house. Shortly after Hunter
went back to Malibu and the Venice Beach
area where he started working as a Personal
Trainer and a Spin Instructor.
In December 2011 Hunter entered his frst
Spartan Race, which was taking place right in
his backyard of Malibu. It was his frst obstacle
race and after taking 6th in the open heat he
found himself hooked on the sport. His next
Spartan Race wasnt until almost a year later
at the Sacramento Beast. He explained that
leading up to that race he didnt really ever
run much other than a half marathon that sum-
mer. Hunter remembers the Beast being just
mud, walls, and bullsh*t, it sucked, but that
didnt stop this 62 - 180 pound athlete from
fnishing 3rd in his frst Spartan Elite Heat with
a time of 1:43:16. It was after that race that
FORGING A LEGACY FROM
BLOOD, SWEAT, &
DETERMINATION
BY TONY MATESI
he discussed with his father the need to con-
tinue traveling and racing. In January of 2013
Hunter found himself ready to professionally
race with the Spartan Pro Team.
When discussing the various races Hunter
has conquered throughout the year he says the
Spartan Super is his favorite distance. Hunter
tells us that the Spartan Race in Temecula is
the best race there is, it has the hardest ter-
rain and is the most aggressivefor a race
that takes about an hour and ten minutes.
After a year of racing in which Hunter was on
the podium frequently (including a fnish that
saw him place 1st over Hobie Call) he took
his professional racing to the next level. In
preparation for the 2013 Spartan Race World
Championships Hunter spent some time up in
Vermont to train for the big event. When we
asked about his experience at the Spartan Race
World Championships he revealed that this was
uncharted territory for him. Until then Hunter
had never run longer than a cumulative two
hours in one go. The 2013 Spartan Race World
Championships was an amazing event with
elite athletes, family, and sponsors that made it
a world-class event according to Hunter.
He told us that a lot of people were trash talk-
ing him leading up to the event because he
wasnt running enough and thought he was
focusing on lifting too much. Hunter was able
to silence a number of critics that day when he
took third place on the podium at the Spartan
World Championships. Hunter admits that he
spent most of his time doing intervals and lifting
in the gym, never doing anything for more than
two hours and feels that maybe he wasnt as
ready as he couldve been for the race (ahem
third place is pretty good Hunter). Hunter goes
on to say, in the end my body was shutting
down and thats how I missed second place.
Being among the greatest in the sport you
have to wonder, how does this Spartan Pro
Team member prepare himself for all trails,
mountain climbs, and everything else a Spar-
tan Race throws his way?
We asked Hunter to give us some insight
into his training regimen going into the 2014
Season. Currently Hunter is putting in two ses-
sions a day typically fve to six times per week.
I dont run. I spin a lot and lift a lot of weights,
Hunter says. Recently he has been living in New
York for a couple months training partnering
with fellow Spartan Pro Team member, Alex
Nicholas once or twice a week. Beyond spin
class and regular weight sessions Hunter says
he is no longer putting too much thought into
his training. Previously he had the opportunity
24 | HUNTER MCINTYRE | SPARTANRACE.COM
to train with an Olympic coach but he strongly
believes that its better to push a rock around
for an hour than to spend time with an Olympic
coach. His theory is that as long as he is happy
and knows he is pushing himself thats what
matters most, and for him, it just works. You can
fnd Hunter crushing his WODs at CrossFit 5th
Ave, Soul Cycle where he is a Spin Instructor
or amping up on Spartan SGX Training at Epic
Hybrid Training with Alex.
With the mention of Alex Nicholas our con-
versation shifted to the discussion of the other
athletes Hunter has raced with, and against.
SPARTANRACE.COM | HUNTER MCINTYRE | 25
[TEMECULA IS] THE BEST
RACE THERE IS, IT HAS THE
HARDEST TERRAIN AND IS
THE MOST AGGRESSIVE
FOR A RACE THAT TAKES
ABOUT AN HOUR AND TEN
MINUTES. Hunter McIntyre
26 | REFLECTIONS | SPARTANRACE.COM
Hunter has made some of his best friends
since joining obstacle racing mentioning that
fellow California native and Spartan Pro Team
member Miguel Medina and he became best
friends when they were training for Spartan
Races together in Malibu. Hunter also feels
a strong bond with fellow Spartan Pro Team
members Alex Nicholas and David Magida.
Hunter went on to tell us that he really
respects the incredible athletes like Cody
Moat and Hobbie Call who not only destroy
the races but have the ability to do so much
more in addition to their racing obligation, like
working full-time jobs and raising families.
Im just a 24 year old living the dream. They
are the ones that deserve more credit for their
accomplishments, he tells us. Hunter points
out that he sees Hobie as his biggest rival in
the sport currently. Im not expected to be
beat by anyone but him throughout the year.
The 2014 Season will certainly be an exciting
year to watch unfold with these awe-inspiring
athletes taking to the barbed wire crawls, rope
climbs, and spear throws.
Hunter is without question a young, talented,
impressively athletic force to be reckoned with.
We expect well see him atop the podium
many more times this year.
Well see you at the fnish line, Hunter
McIntyre. Wishing you the best in 2014.
n
IM JUST A 24 YEAR OLD LIVING THE DREAM... [CODY MOAT
AND HOBBIE CALL] ARE THE ONES THAT DESERVE MORE
CREDIT FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IM NOT EXPECTED
TO BE BEAT BY ANYONE BUT [HOBBIE] THROUGHOUT THE
YEAR. Hunter McIntyre

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28 | BETTER LOVER | SPARTANRACE.COM
I
t is indisputable that exercise is beneficial in
many ways, yet, there seems to be little avail-
able data on the effect fitness level has on
intimacy in a relationship. Although it would
seem obvious that it would have positive effects
(it does) we set out to rifle through the research,
survey friends and family, and ask people 1-on-1
questions regarding their Spartan training/rac-
ing and the effect it has had on intimacy in a
relationship. Is better sex the result of increased
fitness? Can working out and training with a
loved one increase the amount of Aroos? Well
after some exhaustive (and exhausting) research
we found out some interesting information.
There is no doubt about it, training for, and
running in, a Spartan Race with your significant
other unequivocally leads to an improvement
in the performance, quality, and overall inti-
macy that happens in the bedroom. No really,
we even have proof!
According to research regular exercise may
increase a persons sexual drive, their sexual
activity, and most importantly, their sexual satis-
faction. The results from a study reported that
women were more sexually responsive follow-
ing 20 minutes of vigorous exercise (Stanten &
DOES BEING A SPARTAN MAKE YOU
A BETTER LOVER?
WE THINK SO AND HERES PROOF.
BY: SPARTAN CUPID
SPARTANRACE.COM | BETTER LOVER | 29
Yeager, 2003). The men are no different, there
is research that shows short intense exercise is
linked to an increase in testosterone, which may
stimulate sexual interest and behavior (Krucoff
& Krucoff, 2000). That means knocking out a set
of burpees, followed by some sprints, and bear
crawls just like what we learn from Spartan SGX,
is the perfect way to rev things up.
Its a no brainer that working out can boost your
sex drive. To further our investigation we spoke
with a bunch of Spartan couples and found that
no matter how many couples we spoke with the
answer was always the same. Yes, unanimously,
couples found themselves more sexually aroused
following a training session or a race. Working out,
getting sweaty, forcing your lymphatic system to
activate and getting the blood flowing through
your body is a sure fire way to get that same blood
flowing, if ya know what I mean - wink, wink.
Our research didnt end there, when research-
ing whether working out with a significant other
improved sexual intimacy, we found little informa-
tion on that specific topic. The research did reveal
that working out increases the confidence one
has in their self-image. A persons body image is
constructed during ones lifetime through interac-
tions and the processes taking place within ones
own body and the outside world (Haavio-Mannila
& Purhonen, 2001). It was also found that exercise
causes an increase in sexual interest and appetite.
How many times have we seen a couple inter-
twine their fingers just moments before the fire
jump sharing the metaphorical fire that they are
just waiting to extinguish. Sharing the moment of
crossing that finish line together really gets the fire
inside a Spartan roaring. The feeling of success, tri-
umph, and domination is what we mean when we
say youll know at the finish line. Perhaps theres
more to that tag line than we knew! Crossing that
finish line is an extraordinary accomplishment and
is worthy of an even more extraordinary celebra-
tion. I guess youll know at the finish line?
If you ever look around at a Spartan Race you
will see this all the time, from couples playing
together in the barbed wire pit, to making a mess
together in the rolling mud, weve even spotted
them kissing at the top of the cargo climb. Play
time doesnt stop on the course either! Weve
heard countless stories of couples rushing off
to the showers post race and were not talking
about the ones that we set up on site.
The interrelationship between your physical
body and sexual function is crucial to sexual
health. Good lifestyle habits and choices - such
as proper sleep, regular exercise for physical
conditioning, healthy diet, moderation in your
use of alcohol - provide the foundation for
easy sexual function. (McCarthy and Metz).
It can also be argued, if you feel good about
who you are and how you look you can focus
more on your partner and less on your self.
Everywhere you look at a Spartan Race you
see people showing off their bodies. Men run-
ning around in those tight compression shorts
saying, no entirely to the constriction of wear-
ing a shirt, the ladies in their sports bras and
short shorts. Long legs, exposed skin, six-packs,
and you can tell she squats at a Spartan Race
dressing with less is not just for vanity, its also a
key strategy for most of the elite runners. Less
clothing leads to less resistance.
Exercise frequency and physical fitness
enhance attractiveness and increase energy
levels, both of which make people feel bet-
ter about themselves. Those who exercise are
more likely to experience a greater level of
satisfaction and a positive perception of self.
Moreover, those who feel better about them-
selves may perceive they are more sexually
desirable and may perform better sexually.
The majority of individuals who are regularly
physically active are healthier, and perhaps
healthier individuals may be more willing and
able to have sex, (Penhollow, and Young).
When you are working out together you are
bound to create stronger bonds with your
partner. The release of hormones from exer-
cise combined with the shared experience
makes the perfect recipe for a hot, sweaty,
30 | BETTER LOVER | SPARTANRACE.COM
fun-filled afternoon.
In conclusion, working out together should and
will lead to more frequent bedroom workouts.
Training for a Spartan Race together, its a win-
win. You dont have to make every workout you
do into a partner workout, but we highly recom-
mend throwing one in the mix. By working out
with someone you have a chance to get creative.
Make the workouts you do interesting.
Here are some ideas for how you can exer-
cise together:
Take a yoga class - Yoga helps with
flexibility, mental well-being, and over-
all health. A class together brings couples
closer on a spiritual level as well as help
open up new positional opportunities.
Go for a walk, run or a hike - This is the
easiest way to spend some time working
out together. Get out there enjoy the
scenery, enjoy each others company and
make the most of some time with nature.
Oh, and dont worry about blowing snot
rockets, we all do it.
Help spot each other in the gym to reach
a new PR.
Find some heavy object that you can carry
- Now see how long or how far you can go
together. Dont forget to keep hydrated.
Find a dance class - Whether its Tango,
Ballroom, or take a note from the Winter
Death Racers and sign up for a ballet class.
We dare ya!
Lastly, but most importantly, sign up for a
Spartan Race, together! After all we have
proof itll make your life more enjoyable.
n
REFERENCES
Krucoff, C., & Krucoff, M. (2000). Peak performance.
American Fitness, 19, 32-36.
McCarthy, Barry W., and Michael E. Metz. Mens Sexual
Health: Fitness for Satisfying Sex. New York, NY: Taylor
and Francis Group, LLC, 2008. Print.
Penhollow, Tina, and Michael Young. Electronic
Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 7. Sexual Desir-
ability and Sexual Performance: Does Exercise and
Fitness Really Matter?. N.p.. Web. 15 Feb 2014.
<http://www.ejhs.org/volume7/fitness.html>.
Stanten, N., & Yeager, S. (2003). Four workouts to
improve your love life. Prevention, 55, 76-78.
SPARTANRACE.COM | BETTER LOVER | 31
32 | SODIUM 101 | SPARTANRACE.COM
WHY A LOW
SODIUM DIET?
Sodium and low-sodium
are buzzwords that get
thrown around, not just
in nutrition circles, but
by the medical community
as well.
Growing up you probably heard chatter about
Americans and heart disease. Maybe you know
that heart disease is related to high blood pres-
sure, and high blood pressure is related to high
sodium levels in the body. So you know that low-
ering your sodium levels is a good idea, because
you dont want high blood pressure, and possibly
the heart disease commonly associate with that.[1]
This is sound reasoning. Avoid sodium and
you have less likelihood of high blood pressure.
Avoid high blood pressure and youll have a
better probability of avoiding heart decease.
So by reasoning, in sheer pragmatic terms,
if possible, we should skip drama by going
low sodium as an act of precaution. We simply
eliminate a stressor on our body, excess salt.
HOW MUCH SODIUM DOES THE BODY
ACTUALLY NEED?
The USDA explains that we need between 180
mg and 500 mg per day.[2]
Im sure this person isnt running 20 miles a day,
either. Your sweat is salty. So your sweat levels
relate to your sodium levels. You potassium intake
is related to how your body uses your sodium. So
the amount of bananas and mangos you eat can
relate to how much sodium you need.
This is where WOD meets FOD. If you sweat a
lot, get more sodium in your diet. If you want to
eat salt, pair it with potassium as a counteraction
in your body. You want lower blood pressure.
HOW MUCH SODIUM DO YOU
PROBABLY CONSUME?
The USDA explains that your sodium limit
should be 2400 mg a day. The American Heart
Association says about half that.
The USDA explains that the average Ameri-
can takes in 3,436 mg of sodium a day thats
over 3000 mg of what you need. So, if you
consider yourself an average American, you
are eating a bit more salt than is necessary to
keep your body functioning properly.
If you are an elite marathoner however, you
should probably eat sodium like an American.
Even if you workout 6-18 times a week, you
could probably live on the sodium level of the
average American.
SODIUM 101:
LESS IS MORE - CUT DOWN ON
SODIUM BY EATING FRESH FOODS
BY JASON JAKSETIC
SPARTANRACE.COM | SODIUM 101 | 33
SO WHY DOES THE AVERAGE AMERICAN
CONSUME SO MUCH SALT?
Unfortunately salt, when used as a preserva-
tive, is integrated into the American food grid
by the demand for processed food products,
instead of raw food products. Cooking in
America most often consists of simply heat-
ing up prepared foods. Just because you are
using you stove or microwave doesnt mean
you are preparing your food. Youre just heat-
ing prepared food. This is whats going on in a
fast-food restaurants too.
Just like whalers used to pack away salted
meat for their year long voyages, your local
fast food dispenser is salting up the food prod-
ucts they are storing up in bulk, to then reheat
for you at some point.
Soft drinks, canned goods, and sports drinks
all have high sodium levels.
Look at the sodium levels
next time when you reach
for them. Make sure you cal-
culate that the one can of
beans is 3.5 servings, not 1
serving - which you definitely
just ate in one sitting. That
one can of beans has 60% of
your USDA sodium limit.
Not 60% of what you need, 60% of your limit
of 2400 calories.
WHATS THE PROBLEM WITH
TOO MUCH SALT?
The USDA explains the correlation between
processed and restaurant food and annual
death rates.
Sodium intake from processed and restau-
rant food contributes to increased rates of
high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Decreasing sodium intake to within recom-
mended limits could prevent thousands of
deaths annually.[1]
So if you can skip the salt, you can skip all
that drama.
And once you get used to not eating salt,
your tastes change, and you dont even miss
it. Its just another random additive.
Once you are over your daily required limit
of sodium as calculated relative to your current
activity and lifestyle, youre just causing prob-
lems to your system.
Its time to Spartan Up and understand that
its up to you to be conscious of how what you
put into your body combines with how you
train your body, all in the generation of your
current level of fitness.
AVOID SODIUM AND YOU HAVE LESS
LIKELIHOOD OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
AVOID HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND
YOULL HAVE A BETTER PROBABILITY
OF AVOIDING HEART DECEASE.
1. Low sodium diets are important
in America because Americans
have high blood pressure.

2. High blood pressure is related
to bad health and huge annual
death rates.

3. Blood pressure can be reduced
by reducing sodium levels
in the body.

Therefore...
4. Lowering your sodium intake
will reduce your blood pressure
and youll likely live longer.
THE REASONING IS THIS:
34 | SODIUM 101 | SPARTANRACE.COM
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR SODIUM INTAKE.
Dont eat processed foods - Salt is a preserva-
tive. This is why processed foods are prepared
with lots of it. Salty food can last a long time.
Raise your potassium intake sodium and
potassium are integrated in how your body
performs. This is why sports drinks and foods
should always address your potassium needs in
a coordinated effort with salt supplementation.
Skip the sports drink to get your potassium by
eating bananas and mangos.
Eat Raw Foods The Spartan Race FOD
recipes are low in sodium and they are not
processed and preserved like most foods. In
fact, there is not much processing and pre-
serving at all. This is the whole idea. Spartan
recipes mostly involve raw food ingredients
that are optimally combined and sometimes
cooked. Food is eaten fresh, and thus most
optimally loaded with much needed vitamins
and nutrients.
CONCLUSION
Unique bodies are different. Each persons
daily activity is different, just as their daily
intake is of fuel is different.
Where we are all the same is that we are all
the results of our FOD and WOD equations
what goes in, must come out. Either through
explosions of activity or as waste what you are
taking is the fuel that keeps you going or sim-
ply takes up space. Make your food ultra clean,
and exercise it into workouts that improve your
fitness daily.
Put low sodium in your wellness toolbox.
As always, use common sense, research your
own facts, and question everything.
n
SOURCES:
http://www.cdc.gov/features/dssodium/
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/
hhs_facts_sodium.pdf
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S
o youre thinking of doing a Spartan
Race. Congratulations! That thought
alone is the first, and hardest, obstacle
for many looking to become a SPARTAN. Of
the thousands of first timers who have come
before you here are the most basic answers
the three questions youre thinking about
right now; What should I eat? How should
I train? What do I wear/bring to the event!?
WHAT SHOULD I EAT?
Drink nothing but water starting today.
Eat nothing that did not grow or formerly
live on this planet.
Objectively experiment with different ratios
of carbohydrate, protein, and fat in your
breakfast, lunch, and dinner to find what
36 | COACHS CORNER | SPARTANRACE.COM
COACHS
CORNER
WITH JOE DI
POWERED BY SPARTAN SGX
fuels YOUR body best.
On race day, have a breakfast that youve
had before prior to your longest training
runs that you know fuels you well.
Add a pinch or two, or three, of sea salt to
your water bottle or hydration pack and bring
50-60grams of carbohydrate via bars, gels, or
sports drinks per hour you expect to be on the
course. Also dont forget to do some experi-
menting here as well. Some people do better
with products that also contain small amounts
of protein and fat.
HOW SHOULD I TRAIN?
If your goal is to survive the race, be able
to run a minimum of 1/3 of your entire race
distance without stopping.
To really thrive on the course, be able to
run a minimum of 3/4 of your race distance
without stopping.
To completely conquer the race, be able to
run the entire distance or more without stopping.
Wherever you stand now in terms of your fit-
ness and your comfortable, not killing yourself,
maximum running distance, START THERE. Do
it twice a week and add 1/4-1/2 mile
per week until youre at your desired
fitness level.
In the gym, work on pull-up exer-
cises, forward and reverse lunges,
bear crawls, challenge your grip
in as many ways as possible, and
of course, do plenty of Burpees!
2-3 Strength Training workouts a
week, at least one that is done in a
moderate to high intensity circuit
will prepare you well.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR & BRING?
Avoid cotton. It gets heavy when
it gets wet and doesnt allow your
body to breath. Opt for wicking
materials for both your tops and
bottoms, and make sure that they are pretty
form fitting. Dont wear any more clothing
than you feel you absolutely need to, or are
comfortable running in.
Some people wear old shoes that they simply
plan to throw out after the event. This is a pretty
bad idea in most cases as they are typically not
supportive, hold onto a lot of water, lack quality
tread, and ultimately, predispose the runner to
injury. Opt instead for one of the many shoes
on the market that are designed to be safe in
the washing machine. Many folks have worn
the same pair of shoes for 10+ races.
Bring a positive and tenacious attitude, a
full change of clothes, a sweatshirt regard-
less of the weather, two bath towels, a few
pairs of socks, extra footwear, sunglasses,
sunblock, a basic 1-person first aid kit, baby
powder, and a few healthy snacks that you
commonly eat for after the event.
Thats it! That is all you need to be fully prepare
for your first race. If you want more guidance,
find one of our SGX Coaches near you and get
some SPARTAN APPROVED training!
See you at the Finish Line! AROO!
n
SPARTANRACE.COM | COACHS CORNER | 37
WHY RUN SPARTAN?
There are endless reasons to
run Spartan Races...
Adrenaline, physical and
mental challenges, the great
outdoors...
But theres more to it.
Our racers are our greatest
assetsyour guts and glory, the
inspiration that matches your
perspiration.
If youve tried trail races,
mud runs, obstacle races, or
adventure races, its time to try
a Spartan Race.
Are you unbreakable?
www.spartanrace.com
because
strong
goes with
everything.
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