Spartan race course preview

                      A Case for a Course Preview

The Sunday race - An interesting phenomenon within the obstacle racing community.  This race is typically preceded by a Saturday race on the same course.  One would think that after an intense race on the first day, the athlete's time on the second day would be much slower.  It is typically faster!  Some are just a minute or so, but others post over 5 min time difference. 

Why?

The athlete has had a preview of the course - they know what is coming.  That little advantage allows them to pace themselves, run with strategy, and know when to kick in.  Fatigue from the previous day does not overpower this knowledge.

I'm making a case that this could be a good thing - Not only to the racers but to the race directors. 

Just think of what you would do if you had a course map in hand the day before.  If you were allowed to go and view the obstacles, how differently would you run the race?  My guess is much differently.

Personally I would be memorizing where I would be making moves, where I would be maintaining.  Visualization is a key component to success in racing.  This is very hard to do when you have no idea what your course looks like, or even how far you are going to be running. Is it going to be 3.5 miles this time, or closer to 5?

I know that some people actually do love the surprise aspect of obstacle racing, and I would probably put Joe DeSena, a founder of Spartan race, at the top of that list.  He originally started with the Death Race - a race that has no set ending or apparent pattern that can exceed 48 hours.  The racers go in not knowing anything about what is in store for them except hours of pain.I think those are the most mentally strong people you will ever meet in your life.  I get it - I do.  Having the ability to keep a smile on your face while enduring through the crap that is handed to you is quite a gift.  When I was running down the last mountain in Temecula in my first Spartan race, the feeling of accomplishment was greater because I had conquered obstacles that I had never faced before! 

But as we are pushing this sport to be included in the Olympics, we should be observing the elements of it that will showcase true athleticism.   If the course will allow people to run it faster and harder, won't that add to the excitement, the entertainment, of the race?   If people run the course with strategy, won't the actual competitive nature increase?  These are all for the good of the racing company.  Without viewers, fans, and supporters, this sport will go nowhere.

At this years Spartan Championship race in Vermont, I raced almost the entire thing behind Jenny Tobin - She in 4th place and I in 5th.  It was such a long race but I was waiting to make a move on her when we got near the end.  We are both endurance runners, and know to go at things evenly, trying to expend the littlest amount of energy possible while maintaining a good pace.   I was planning on giving it everything I had left at the start of the last mile.  Well my gps watch said that we had hit 12 miles, so I tried to make my move.  I gave what I had left.  But we weren't heading back down the mountain?  We were still climbing.  Eventually we passed the 13 mile sign (still going up).  I had wasted the precious little energy I had and I did not see the finish line yet.  It turns out the course was over 14 miles, and when I did catch up to her, I had nothing left to pass her with.  

There are numerous times I've got to the end and wondered if I could've kicked in sooner if I had known we were that close. 

Maybe this is just my personal experience and maybe this will always be an element of obstacle racing.  I am the former marathon runner that would go and run the course at least 3 times in the months before the race, and would have the mile times I wanted taped to my hand. 

For heavens sakes I have an obstacle course in my backyard - If anyone enjoys knowledge and preparedness, it is I. 

I know there are others out there though - there are many that try to get glimpses of what's to come the day before.  Though not allowed on the course,  the actual view of the festival area puts them at ease and helps them to strategize. 
Getting lost on the course has also been proven to be a problem.  The brain is hyper-focused on other things and frequently misses direction signs.  Some have this problem more than others :)  Though I'm sure it's near impossible to have everything marked (people get lost in road races),  this could help with the problem.

Extreme Nation allowed participants on their course before the race.  Is this a trend that is likely to continue?  Either way, I'll race and I'll love it.  Even if it takes me way out of my comfort zone.