Photo Courtesy of Spartan Endurance
On 7/23, the 2nd Palmerton race weekend provided Spartans an option between the 4.7 mile Sprint and the 12 hour Hurricane Heat (HH12HR). However, staying cool was NOT an option as 96 degrees of ultraviolet sunrays rained on both formats. As usual, 7am in Sparta is 6am to the rest of the U.S. Eastern Hemisphere and a tardy arrival spelled additional Physical Training (PT) for the punctual participants. (Sorry Hurricane Heaters… I was that guy.)
After PT and a scramble for a mysterious 3rd signed document as part of the registration process, we were led to our base camp for a thorough inspection of the mandatory gear list which included: Black Top, Ruck, Hydration Pack, Headlamp, Reflective Safety Vest or PT Belt, Cardboard box measuring a minimum of 7”x5”x14”, Black Sharpie, 10’ of 1” Webbing, 10’ of 550 Paracord with Bowline Knots on the ends, Medium Carabiner, (4) 11” Zip Ties, 2”x4”x3” Wood Piece, Tennis Ball, and a 25lb weight for the men / 15lb weight for the women. There were also two songs which we were required to learn in addition to the Warrior Ethos:
Photo Courtesy of James Sternlicht
The gut checked happened within the 1st hour when we were asked to leave ALL nutrition in our cardboard boxes until further notice. In Sparta, further notice means after 6+ hours of physical labor and fun followed by grueling labor. Only then were we allowed 1 item from our box pantry for the rest of the 14.5 hour event because in Sparta, a 12 hour event is actually…well, you get the picture.
Teams were assigned, team leaders volunteered, and missions were distributed. Throughout the day we became intimately familiar with the Mountain as we rucked, climbed, carried tractor trailer tires, competed against other teams, and ultimately helped one another endure the Krypteia planned activity under the unplanned heat of sunfire. The Spartan Festival Area became the testing ground for our knowledge of ‘The Humpty Dance’ and ‘Sponge Bob Square Pants’ songs. A little finish line entertainment for those completing the Sprint at the expense of our pride and dignity. Somewhere between the 2nd & 3rd verse of The Humpty Dance a few Spartans dropped it like it’s hot then started dropping cause it WAS hot in that unrelenting heat. No serious injuries were incurred so after a little Fitaid relief and a few more minutes of embarrassing dance moves we were all off to the next challenge. There’s video footage of our futile gyrations on the World Wide Web with shameful pelvic thrusts and all, of this I’m certain.
At one point we were tethered to one another in our teams of 20 with the 10’ of 550 Paracord and led on a ruck march through a very steep and rocky trail while practically squeezing the life out of the unfortunate folks in the middle of the lines. Imagine being pulled up a mountain by your waist while being pulled down by those losing their footing behind you…definitely NOT something you can prepare for.
The game changer happened at roughly 10hrs 5min into the HH12 when we were ordered to run the same steep trail we ran tethered together earlier except this time we were to run it individually for an undisclosed number of laps in an undisclosed amount of time. Penalty for not reaching the unknown goal was an immediate DNF.
It was at this moment where we were informed that the Eleventh hour family, which was heavily represented, earned their name and membership into the family after being DNF’d at the 11th hour of several HH12 and this day was no different with many of them not making the time hack again.
Photo Courtesy of Luis Santamassino
Over 100 Spartans registered for the HH12HR, 79 toed the line, yet only 26 managed to finish the Palmerton HH12. However, in Sparta the finish line is often the starting line. So the finishers struck a deal with Krypteia Rob Barger where they placed their finishes on the line for 30 Spartans who were the closest in meeting the time hack. This sacrifice would pay off only if the 30 participants would be able to carry their rucks and the 26 finishers with their rucks for an unspecified distance in 27 minutes. Just like that the event continued for these chosen 30 and they earned their finishers’ medals.
It was truly a heart-warming site to witness most of the Eleventh Hour Family become HH12 graduates who will now be supporting the efforts of the new recruits in their family.
The Palmerton HH12-021 class graduates also boasts of 2 Spartans who have completed the coveted Spartan Trifecta Delta: Danielle Rieck & Eric Roman. Keep Rising! Aroo Aroo Aroo!!!!!!
Image Courtesy of Spartan Race
If you’re looking for more details on the happenings of a Spartan HH12HR, sign up, train up, and show up.
God Bless & Keep Running…
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