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. 

 

  

 Temecula Spartan Super - Temecula, California

I haven't ever had the chance to test how far I can run hard, while feeling extremely nauseous.  Apparently it's around 3 miles. 

Coming in to this race faster and stronger than I have ever been, I was ready for a battle.  But I stood at the starting line, stomach churning feeling like a newly pregnant momma. As DC sends us off, I'm feeling like the moderate pace we are holding is fast for me! I knew I was in trouble.
I wasn't physically taxed, I just felt like I needed to stop for a few and lose my lunch.  Maybe I should've - I would've felt better.
The last time I felt like quitting in a race, I was in a particularly gruesome track meet in 9th grade - out of shape and racing the 2 miler for the first time.
I was praying that I turn an ankle or something so that I wouldn't have to face the indignity of pulling out.  Thankfully, my inner Spartan prevailed and I pushed on. 

 I hung with Rose for about 2 miles of the 8 mile race, and then just tried to hang in there at all. I finished the race about 6 min after her(ugh) with the knowledge that I had not ran even close to what I was capable

Despite the popularity of doing 2 races in a weekend, I had never done so. 

This race was key however - a lot was going to be decided, determined, that could affect the rest of my races.

I needed to know that I could win this race, I needed to know I could beat the stiffening competition, and I needed to prove to others that I was a still a threat. 

I went all in for day 2.

Temecula Spartan Sprint

With fire in my belly, I started the 2nd race.  This was about 5 miles, without a lot of the extreme hill climbs from the day before.

We knew which obstacles we would be encountering which was refreshing.  At one point, there was a spot where you can choose to go right (longer way) or left (harder, shorter).  Rose and KK went right, April and I went left.  This way had proved to be better the previous day.  We came out ahead of rose and KK, though Rose caught back up within the last mile.

At around 3 miles, I lost my lead at the barbed wire crawl, which I apparently suck at.  I didn't realize this could make such a difference.  April and Rose got about 50 yds on me.

We climbed up and down the next hill,
and found ourselves - In a parking lot - never a good sign.  We had missed the turn somewhere!! We ran up a trail, and saw KK coming down the mountain that we were supposed to have gone down. 

So now we were 4.

After we battled through the tire flip, wall traverse, inverted wall, Hercules hoist, and log hop, I was a close second behind KK.  We had one more steep mountain to go, and I used this chance to pass her.  It was great until she and Rose sprinted past me on the next downhill to the festival area.

We had 5 obstacles left.
Tractor pull - pull a heavy concrete block up a sandy hill and back down - twice as heavy as normal!  KK was ahead of me and Rose was about 15 sec behind.
I got to the spear throw and was elated because I was at least going to get 2nd.
Except I missed my spear throw
and KK and rose hit theirs.  oy!!!
As I was finishing my final burpee, April nailed her spear throw.  It was going to be a battle to finish.
I was NOT going to let her beat me.
We were neck and neck all the way into the rope climb.  I got up and down it faster than her, hurried out of the mud pit, and ran to the finish.  I saw the fire and gladiators, and I was home free!

Until someone yelled, "wait, go back, you're not done!"  I had not seen the slippery wall and ran right past it.

April finished slightly before me, and I finished in 4th, again.

4th Place 2 days in a row really bites

I am grateful for the 2nd day's race, and that I could leave knowing my ability. Mistakes had killed me that day, but I was capable.   I am looking forward to my showdown in 2 weeks with April Luu, KK Stewart, and Rose Wetzel. 

 

 

 

 

Last month I ventured over to Boston to compete in a Spartan Sprint race held

at Fenway Park.

It was an intense race, and an amazing experience. 

Watch here for the incredible finish for men and women

(spoiler alert - I come in 2nd:()

 

Read about my experience here!

http://runtyrun.fastrunningblog.com/blog-11-2013.html

Here's a quick little interview with Arnel Banawa.  Check out the article here.
http://www.ocrtube.com/blog/meet-spartan-pro-team-athlete-tyann-clark

I had the pleasure of interviewing Spartan Pro Team Athlete TyAnn Clark. With her recent 1st Place Female Podium Finish at the Sacramento Beast, I think some of you might want to know what she is all about =). Let's dive in the dirt shall we!

Arnel Banawa: What is your Full Name, where are you from, and where do your currently reside?
TyAnn Clark: TyAnn Clark, originally from Star Valley, WY, Currently reside in Toquerville, UT
Arnel Banawa: What is your occupation?
TyAnn Clark: Full time mom, Zumba instructor, Fitness trainer (I train groups to be ready for OCR's), Beachbody Coach
Arnel Banawa: How was life before Obstacle Course Racing, and who introduced you to the sport?
TyAnn Clark: I don't know how far back you want me to go haha. Life was still crazy and unpredictable as it is now, but I had reached a point in my training where I needed something else. I'd ran competively since I was a Freshman in highschool, and was heavily into the marathon/ half marathon training cycle. I did and always will have a love for road racing, but I had reached a point in my life where I was unmotivated and uninspired to race. I was 32 and had just had my 3rd child (which probably had a little to do with my exhaustion levels). Honestly I was thinking that my glory days were over. The timing was impeccable. My friend, Hobie Call, had been trying to get me to do a Spartan for a couple years. I was ready to try something new and rolled the dice on the Temecula Super. It was one of the scariest things I'd ever done. I remember sitting all alone in the festival area, looking at all the huge contraptions and thinking that I'd make a huge mistake. 9 miles later I crossed the finish line a completely different person - And the fact that I was the first woman across didn't hurt either.
ADVERTISEMENT: Meet other OCR Enthusiasts and Fitness Singles - It's Free!

Arnel Banawa: How does Spartan Pro Athlete TyAnn train for a race? Zumba?
TyAnn Clark: Haha, Zumba is a great core workout (and I'm gonna bet that my class is the hardest Zumba you'll ever try), but no. I divide my time between Crossfit, running, and a little bit of swimming. My husband and father in law have built me an amazing playground to train on in my yard - spear throw, walls, tarzan swing, rope climb, tyrolean traverse, etc.

Arnel Banawa: Which Beachbody Fitness Program have you found to be the best program to train for an Obstacle Course Race?
TyAnn Clark: Oh definitely Insanity - Lots of push ups, core work, and explosive movements. P90x is an awesome way to build strength as well.

Arnel Banawa: With 3 children and a husband, how do you make time for yourself, and what kind of advice would you give women in your situation who would like to become a better athlete?
TyAnn Clark: I feel like life is such a balance of priorities and sacrifice, and once we decide to give up something that is not getting us closer to our goals, changes happen. I'm lucky in that I have to be super organized and consistent with my workout times in order to get them in. If I miss my morning run, I most likely will not have time later on in the day to do it. So knowing that gets my butt out of bed most of the time. I sacrifice things like t.v. at night, or that piece of cake at a party. My ultimate goals are more important to me, so that helps motivate me. My kids are also amazing and are very awesome about going into the daycare for a couple hours so that I can workout. Or they will run around the track with me while I get a training session in.
Arnel Banawa: What is your most feared obstacle at a Spartan Race?
TyAnn Clark: SPEAR THROW!!!! I practice it daily. I can walk into my backyard and chuck it 10 times in a row without missing. For some reason, it is my curse in races. I've made 1 in 7 races.

Arnel Banawa: What shoes do you currently run with? During a Road Race? During an OCR?
TyAnn Clark: I am a fan of the Solomon Fellraisers for longer races, and InOv8s for shorter ones. For marathons, the Saucony Kinveras are my go-to racer. I have trained for 5 years in Nike Frees and they are my babies.
Arnel Banawa: Where would you like to see Obstacle Course Racing in the future, say 5 years from now?
TyAnn Clark: I want to get it to the point where all my runner friends feel like they need to try it out (and fall in love with it). There's so much potential for growth and notoriety that I want to see happen. If it becomes an Olympic sport, that will definitely help.
Arnel Banawa: What does TyAnn eat? What is your view on the Paleo Diet?
TyAnn Clark: I wish I could say I was a strict something or other, but most of the time I'm scrambling to just pull something half decent together. Sometimes it's my child's other half of uneaten sandwich. I focus on natural foods, healthy fats, and lots of produce. We even get raw milk from a neighbor's cow. When I need to lean out, I will follow a low carb/ somewhat Paleo plan so that my body utilizes the fat for energy rather than carb stores. When I'm training for Beasts, or just running longer miles, there's just no way. I think that the Paleo diet has some fantastic elements to it - Eating natural foods, focusing on produce, using natural sugars, etc. I think it's a much easier plan to follow when someone is mainly crossfit training. I also think that there's a place in the runner's diet for things such as quinoa, oatmeal, and whole grain rices though.
Shakeology from Beachbody is a staple. I feel like this is my little training secret that not many have tried, but it is an amazing shake that has every healthy ingredient in it an athlete would ever want.

Arnel Banawa: What is your best advice for recovery after a Spartan Race?
TyAnn Clark: Allow yourself to take it easy, at least for the next 7-10 days. Even if you are not sore, racing taxes your immune system as well as your muscles. It will only do harm the next week if you decide to push your training. All training should be done in recovery mode, where there is no intention of raising the heart rate or gaining fitness.

Arnel Banawa: Are you currently training your kids to be future Spartan Pro Athletes? =)
TyAnn Clark: Oh my kids are completely loving the playground we now have in our yard. They are rope climbing, wall scaling, spear throwing fools now. It's amazing that all the things we see as exercise are their play toys. I love seeing their strength and mental toughness develop.

TyAnn has a very IMPRESSIVE racing record, I don't think I would mind being the tire that she drags, at least I know I'll start racking in some Elite Points =)
1st Sacramento Beast 2013
1st SoCal Super Spartan 2013
2nd Las Vegas Super Spartan 2013
3rd Arizona Sprint Spartan 2013
1st Butch Cassidy 10k 2012 - 39:20
1st Sand Hollow Marathon 2011- 3:02
5th Utah Valley Marathon 2011- 3:03
2nd Utah Summer Games Olympic Triathlon - 2009
2nd SHAC Tri - 2009
1st Hurricane Half Marathon - 1:27 - 2009
2nd Dam to Dam 2011 10 mi
6th St george half - 2011 1:26
1st Butch Cassidy 10k 40:28
1st Hurricane Half Marathon -2010
1st Butch Cassidy 10k 2009
1st Hurricane Half Marathon 1:27
2nd Butch Cassidy 10K 2008 - 39:40
4th Hobble Creek Half 2001 -1:21
4th Strawberry Days 5k 2001 - 18:40
For more information about this extraordinary athlete, connect with TyAnn Clark on facebook