2017 Citi Field Spartan Sprint

 Race: 2017 Citi Field Sprint

May 13th, 2017

Time: TBD

Place TBD

Pre-Race Conditions:

Race season starting out with a Stadium sprint. Last year I placed 37th overall at this event with one penalty at the spearman at this race. Weather was a bit chilly but clear. This year looks like rain. Not sure how that will affect the monkey bars or all the stairs, I’m expecting it to be the equivalent of a slip ‘n’ slide. My plan is to just do what I have to do to move efficiently safe and fast. I don’t think there is any specific prerace prep I can do for the rain besides to just grind through it.

I’m not sure I’m completely ready for this race. My running and cardio are amazing compared to where I was last year at this time. On a flat road run I feel easily 30sec/mile faster than last year and can hold that pace for a while. Strength wise the last 2 weeks had been hard to work on grip and skill. Some spear throws in the backyard over the last few days will hopefully help. Slightly worried if there is the toyo tire flip. I’ve seen the pros struggle to flip that 400lb tire. The left knee is feeling good after my speed workout this week. A little neck strain from the pull up routine wednesday morning that has me a little down. It will be a good test to see where I’m at a month away from Chicago Super. Cardio is there, Health is there, Strength is a TBD. 

 

Race Recap:

Brakken Kraker and John Yatsko. Amazing to see 2 top athletes run this course Brakken was ~31:15 and John ~33:30 for the course. I was ~40:10. As I wait for Spartan to get their timing in order. Those guys turned it on early and just went. It was nice to see what the pro team can do but demoralizing to have to compete against so many of them on a race like this. 

The course was a lot easier this year than last. There was no double water jug carry down then up the stairs and the spider's web was only for 3 sections of the ramp. Not all of it.  

I started to push hard and felt my heart rate jump right off the go. Pulled back a bit knowing that the unknown was ahead and I could push hard late. I kept a decent pace even catching and passing people in the heats ahead of me. The race started with a spider web crawl into the A-Frame (tried the elite flip on my second lap and there’s no going back) followed by the rolling epic. Next was some stairs then through the concourse and seats for a while and the slam balls 25 at 25lbs. I think next came an easy sand bag carry followed by some stairs. Next we headed outside to the 8’ wall, traverse wall, atlas carry and the dreaded spearman. Stuck the spear on both laps. Headed back inside to the ramp and small section of spider web then the military walls and the herc hoist. Herc gave me some trouble since there was nothing to brace against. 160lbs vs 100lbs was a fight but I got it.  Now to outside for the heavy jump ropes and a bit more running before the wet and rainy monkey bars. Back for some more stadium running until we got to the visitor locker room where we did the hand-release push ups followed right towards the finish of the rope climb, box jumps and gladiator gauntlet. Those box jumps late burnt me. Right to the finish following the second place elite female. 

Through the race I held back dreading the water jug carry and trying to save what I could to really push there and make up a lot of time. I excelled at that carry last year and cruised by a lot of people. My race plan was off but not knowing the course there wasn’t much I could do. This cold really took a toll as well. Even though I had some Dayquil going I was still a bit down and couldn’t find that top gear to really push. There were a few occasions I should have just slammed the pedal down and blown by people. A couple of the Spartan 4-0 team I was with got their coin with a time of ~37:30. Definitely in my reach if I can just get that extra push.  

 

The Bad:

This cold and the weather played against me. I was tired and run down the week leading up to this race after a 48 mile run week before. I had figured it was just the early mornings and late nights trying to balance the craziness at work and prepping for this race. I had hoped the Friday travel day would have energized me but it didn't. Even though I felt ok on race day I just didn’t have that push to get me to the speed I know I am capable of. 

 

The Good:

I completed 2 laps PENALTY FREE. No burpees other than the 5 for the atlas carry. I think I am now 4/9 of spear throw which is trending the right way. Especially in the rain that made the monkey bars extremely threatening I was able to overcome. 

I walked away from 2 laps first about ~40:00 and the second aboud ~58:00 feeling great. Had some burnt quads, calves and right glute. That gives me a good idea what to focus on going towards Chicago and Lambeau.  No pain at the end of the day was a good win. 

Moral of the Story:

If I had been completely healthy on race day and felt as good as I did at Glass City I would have expected to been able to cut that 3 minutes off my time and been holding that coin. Irregardless I ran smart, came out with a good race, learned for next time and have my sights focused on Chicago. 

Need to focus on listening to my body and any abnormal things I feel and take care of them early instead of the night before the race. Take that rest day off work where it is needed.