Last Saturday was the much anticipated Spartan race!
Chris has been training for several months, including trail running, running with weights, running soaking wet, climbing, throwing, pull-ups, push-ups, burpees and more. The biggest challenge would be to do them all in the space of a few hours on a hilly, 12 mile course! In all, Spartan is a test of endurance and strength.
Last year Chris did the Spartan for the first time with less preparation and a shoulder injury. His goal this year was to be much faster and more physically fit. All his preparation definitely paid off and he completed the race an hour faster than last year's time, even with 90 penalty burpees! (30 penalty burpees are required for each failed obstacle). Obstacles included balancing posts, 6, 7, and 8 foot walls, 2 rope climbs, one of which was in the mud, tire flip, atlas ball carry, rolling down a mud hill underneath barbed wire and more. Obstacles he missed were the traverse wall, spear toss, and he fell off the monkey net. It certainly helped that it was 80 degrees and not 100 like last time.
Chris had quite a cheerleading section! Fellow fitness buffs Grandpa Joe and Grandma Debbie joined us from Florida. They accompanied Chris to the starting line early in the morning and followed him throughout the race, cheering him on and taking pictures and video. Our friend Ben also came to take pictures and lend support.
Lola and Great Lola also joined us from Washington to cheer him on. Add Jenny and the kids and that's quite a crowd!
Not only did Chris race, but Leah and Samuel were also able to participate in a Spartan kids race! Their course was 1/2 a mile and included mud trenches, climbing walls, tire flipping, and a rope web. They loved it! Their dad makes it a priority to "train" with them, so they are experienced in running, climbing, and parkour. They especially loved jumping in the mud!
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| We founds some friends at the race! |
It was quite a day, and we celebrated his successful completion with lunch at Tucanos and afternoon naps.
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| Big grins in the mud. |
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| Climb, Leah, Climb! |
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| Run, Leah, Run! |
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| Medalists! |
