My Spartan journey began way back when (2014) when my brother persuaded me to run the Spartan Sprint in Calgary, Canada. Since then I have done another Sprint, a Super and now this. The Beast.
I’m excited and scared all at the same time.
First Spartan Experience
My Sprint experience in Calgary was interesting. I had trained to “run” sure, but I wasn’t prepared for the world of hurt that this 5K obstacle course race had in store for me. It took me so much longer than my brother (@theOCRGuy) that he finished the race and walked back along the course looking for me (embarrassing). After that, I vowed to never not train for a race again. It was also the day I experienced post-Spartan Five Guys Burger and Fries. Soon to become a new tradition, one that I took home with me to the UK.
Trifecta Hunt
My next Sprint in Wales, UK was better. Way better. I did it in half the time with a harder course. And as a bonus, I beat some of the lads running with me. Score. There’s something to be said about training well for a race; you enjoy it far more not only because the world of pain is far less, but also the satisfaction of finishing without wanting to die is great. Post-race Five Guys burger and Fries was also amazing. Yay for recovery food.
The Super was next on the list. I took to this race alone. I was due to take part in another Sprint but it clashed with a friend’s Hen party so I deferred my entry and in a spur of the moment decision, decided to level up. It was a great decision. The race was well laid out and was really tough. That’s a great compliment for Spartan Races. I was exhausted by the end but was so happy to add to my own trifecta display. Sadly, no Five Guys after this race but Nandos would have to do. (Nandos is a chain of Portuguese Chicken restaurants).
I had to complete my trifecta (I know, I haven’t done it in a single season this year). It was a no-brainer. And after the Super, I am glad to be taking part in this race with three guys. Let’s be fair to me, I can handle the race alone, but the lonely trip to Windsor and then Five Guys Burger and Fries on my own after was not appealing. No doubt that this race I will be referred to as ‘one of the lads’. Game on.
The dreaded day came. I had already been assured by my brother that, “You’re going to die Nance, but you’ll be alright.” I was trying to hide the fact that I was actually terrified of what this Spartan Beast would entail. A couple of days earlier, Spartan published their race layout and the amount of Beast Green on the map was enough to realise that it was true and that I might actually die. The death waiver was signed and filed so, at least Spartan Inc. was covered.
Windsor Beast
This will be the 4th Spartan race I have taken part in and up until this point, I have always had nothing but good things to say. Having said that, I was a little disappointed with a few aspects of the day.
I’m not sure how much control Spartan had over this, but it was absolute chaos getting into Rapley Farm. A busy two-lane road already had a lane closure meaning that we were left sitting in traffic for a good 15 -20 minutes before we even got to park. Then there was a decent walk to registration, a little bit of a queue which all accumulated in us missing our 12 o’clock heat.
But, hey ho. We tagged along on the next heat. I knew this was going to challenge me, so I took the slow and steady approach. After waving the lads off I put my head down and began running.
The obstacle count for this race was intense, so instead of boring you all with a description of each one and how it slowly destroyed my will to live, I’ll just talk about the ones that were mildly aggravating and the ones that I kind of liked (WHAT?).
Beastly Obstacles
Bottlenecks are my least favourite part of an obstacle course race. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but the first pipe crawl (which seems to be missing on the course map) caused lots of people to climb out of the muddy ditch in which it was situated and take the burpee forfeit. Not cool. I was in a queue for at least 15 minutes. Not the best way to start this Beast.
I loved any type of ‘a-wall’ obstacle and there were a few. I particularly enjoyed the climb the rope up one side and cargo net down the other side. Otherwise known as the ‘Slip Wall’. I saw strong men and women slip on this one. I instantly felt better about myself because I nailed it. Amongst these a-wall obstacles were ‘Stairway to Sparta’ and a good old ‘Cargo Net’. I mean, I was allowed to enjoy myself some of the time right?
Every time I reached one of the life draining 4′, 6′, and 8′ walls I was reminded that I hate walls. The first lot I could manage. The last two I decided to look as helpless as possible ’til someone noticed and asked if I needed help. It worked of course.
There were also plenty of ‘Pick this up, carry it round there and bring it back please’ obstacles. Tyre Carry, Log Carry, Sandbag Carry, Atlas Carry, Bucket Carry, Farmers Walk, and yet another Sandbag Carry. So many carries. My only negative opinion about these challenges was that they really weren’t that challenging. I figured that the sheer amount of obstacles they needed to cram in meant that we didn’t have to carry anything for all that long. Why am I complaining you ask? I’m not sure. I think I just felt like these obstacles were a bit of a break from the rest and I’m not sure how I felt about that.
Three barbed wire crawls meant that my forearms are significantly battered. I can see the bruises as I type and my colleagues at work are a bit concerned. They think I’m crazy and they are probably right.
Bender, I have a bone to pick with you. I hated you in the Super until I beat you. Then I loved you, then you hurt me. Taking a friction burn on my upper inner arm was a gift I could have done without. The pain was real. I beat you, but I’m sorry. Our friendship is over.
On a similar note, Rope Traverse – You are just as bad as Bender. I like the skin on the back of my ankles where it is because it serves a purpose. And after taking that away from me, you also dropped me and gave me burpees. Cheers.
Next up were Twister, The Multi Rig and the Rope climb. No, no, and Just no. I hate you all. Sensing a theme here? My arms were out of energy now and I failed all of them. My legs were getting heavy now, and the race was becoming a blur. Not because it wasn’t good, I was fatigued and probably high on a combo of Clif Shot Bloks and bananas.
The last 10 – 15 minutes of the race were packed with obstacles. What a way to lull you into a false sense of security! I could see the finish line, but was still not there. My personal favourite was the ‘Balance Walls’. I am so glad I practised hard in gymnastics on the balance beam. Come at me jelly legs. Olympus just earned me more burpees. A left calf cramp on 8′ wall number 1 made it interesting and the 8′ wall number 2 was scary at the top, but when I turned to jump down, I was greeted by cheers from the rest of my team (who had probably been waiting for hours). Fire jump, medal and done.
The Windsor Spartan Beast certainly lived up to its name. Aside from a few hiccups in parking and getting into the race, I am so glad I did it.
I have come to realize that my motto for these races really has become, ‘You can tell a race is good when it makes you never want to do it again.’
Nancy Hole
I LOVE racing. Something that has been instilled in me by my brother Glenn Hole (ocrguychallenge) when he first introduced me to Spartan Race in Calgary, Canada. Since that muddy, rainy incredible day, I've been hooked.
You'll find me at the end of the race wondering why I put myself through it. You'll also find me 10 minutes later finding out when I can sign up next.
Latest posts by Nancy Hole (see all)
- Spartan Beast Windsor 2018 - October 22, 2018
- Aston Down Spartan Super 2018 - July 6, 2018
- Aston Down South West Super, Sprint and Hurricane Weekend 2018 - June 21, 2018
