Over the last few years I realized that I was missing something in my training. Now I was training hard and seeing results but there was one component that was missing. The thing that was missing was actually training for a purpose. In my mind that meant some type of competition.
So I was always looking for something to compete in. Then in December while I was on Facebook I came across an ad for the Spartan Race. So I clicked on it read that it was a three-mile race with obstacles and I was instantly hooked. I signed up as fast as I could. Finally I found something that I could train for that really interested me.
So last week I took the Spartan challenge in Tuxedo, New York. Did I do as well as I thought I would? Not a chance. So while I was in the middle of the race I just kept thinking about two things. Finishing the race and not quitting and how I could change up my training to do better the next time out.
When you try something new in your life especially something physical like this you quickly realize your weaknesses. Let me restate that, your weaknesses smack you in the face. My main weakness was my aerobic capacity. Running up and down a ski slope can make you realize this quickly. Now those of you that know me, I do not run long distances, just not my thing. So in my training I tried to run the least amount, plus the aggravating shin splints also restricted too much running. While running up those hills and crawling under barbed wire I was reminded of another weakness that I have known about but been avoiding. My hips were so tight, in other words I need to increase my hip flexibility. Running up hill as your hips tighten up, not so pleasant.
So after rinsing all the mud off of me and walking to the car for the hour drive home, I just kept thinking about the ways to fix these problems as I train for the next Spartan Race. So as I gear up for the Spartan Sprint in Massachusetts I am making the minor adjustments in my training. I will be adding a lot more single legwork in my strength training for my hips and adding some running to the program. But most of the running will be going uphill pulling a sled behind me. With these adjustments in training I will see better results.
If you are interested in competing in one of theses obstacle races and would like to know how to train for one please contact me.
Train Hard! Train Smart!
