Last Minute Advice - Spartan Race, VT

As many of you know, this weekend is the Spartan Beast at Killington, VT.  Some words of advice from someone who has done it before.  This isn’t the Tough Mudder x 2 or the Rugged Maniac x; this race is in its own category.  It will be more difficult than you anticipated but it will be far more rewarding when you finish!

1. Don’t rely on water on the course.  Spartan Race is notorious for inflating the amount of water available, number of stations, and locations.  Make sure you have your own source i.e. Camelbak, hydration bladder.  Definitely refill at the water stations along the way.

2. Have electrolytes on you and enough nutrition to keep you going for 8-10 hours.  Know your strategy in advance.  I can’t tell you your exact strategy.  If you don’t already know it and haven’t trained with it then you are in for a long day! Make sure your electrolytes are in a waterproof container NOT a ziplock bag!

3. Set a recurring alarm on your watch to remind you when it’s time to eat/drink.  Eat and drink even if you are not hungry or don’t feel well! This is essential.

4. WALK the steep hills!  Don’t be a hero and shred your legs on the steeps.  You can walk as fast as you can run on those sections so preserve your energy and your legs.  You will be climbing ALL day.  

5. Don’t trust the mile markers on the course.  They are purposely inaccurate to mess with your head.

6. You will have to swim at least twice in the race.  Blow into your hydration bladder tube then turn the valve off before entering the water obstacles in the festival area.  This will turn your bladder into a life preserver.   

7. Don’t watch the clock.  Trust me it will fuck with your head.  If you look at your watch and see that you have only traveled 1.5 miles and you are an hour into the race, thoughts like “at this pace we will be done at midnight” will creep into your head and wear on you.  Trust that there will be just as many downhill sections as uphill where you will have the opportunity to make up time.  

8. Keep moving forward.  You will be exhausted.  Keep moving towards the finish line.  Walk when you need to but KEEP MOVING FORWARD*
(*exception to above is on the sandbag and bucket carries.  Rest if you need to on those.  Create a strategy based on how you feel at that time. For example 20 steps, rest 10 sec then repeat)

9. Watch the trail markers.  It is easy to get lost on Killington especially on the single track sections.  The last thing you need is to backtrack miles to get back on course.

10. Help others on the course where needed. If you see someone who is struggling, give them some encouragement.  At some point you might need the same.

11. Don’t forget to have FUN.  I can promise you at some point on the course you will think to yourself - “THIS KINDA SUCKS!”  Don’t forget to enjoy the mountain and the experience.  

Last but not least - DFQ!