2019 Spartan Killington Ultra

 Race: Spartan Vermont Ultra 

Date: September 14th, 2019

Time: 12:49:39

AG Place: 9/25

Division: 70/188

Pre-Race Conditions:

Not far from Killington ski resort is a small town called Pittsfield Vermont and in that town was a guy named Joe who decided some years back to create a race that would test everyone and push them to their breaking point. That race would be the Death Race where competitors would be put through days of brutal mental and physical tests. Once Death Race became a hit he decided to make it more available to the masses and Spartan Race was born. 

The Killington race is known as ‘The Beast of the East’, the original spartan beast course. It ranks a 5/5 for terrain, elevation and difficulty with an impressively low finisher rate compared to other courses. This race has scared me for a couple years and I’m finally headed to tackle it. 

Thursday night was rough for me. I’ve been fighting a cold for the last week and finally started to feel better until we got to Buffalo and I’m not sure if it’s being sick, food poisoning or nerves but I was unable to eat and felt like crap. Maybe just a crazy panic attack from the hype around how hard this course is going to be. This morning I’m feeling slightly better and calmer. Hopefully this passes because if I can’t eat there’s no way I’ll survive the 15500’ of elevation gain and 65 obstacles. I’ve been hearing that it’s cold at the mountain and they would potentially close the swim and Tarzan swing. I’m torn on that because it looks like a fun obstacle but will be difficult to complete. I think my running and grip are right where I want them so the only thing to do is show up at that start line and see how it goes. 

Race Recap:

The race started in true Spartan fashion with the map showing an easy downhill for the first 2.5 miles which meant we started with a 250’ climb in the first ¼ mile. About mile 2 I was running with a couple guys chatting when the guy put his hand on a tree with about a 5” diameter and it just fell right over. That started the race with some fun. 

From there we got through a couple obstacles then to the Tarzan Swing and swim. I put on the PFD and got in the water that was surprisingly comfortable and started the swim out to the ladders trying to find a lane I liked. I settled on lane 3 because of the length of the ropes. Climbed the ladder and was able to grab out to the second to last rope with my feet out on the ladder so it was just one swing to the bell and a shorter swim out. After that we got to do the A frame, tire flip and rope climb. The windbreaker was amazing here. And about the time I left the rope climb I was dry. 

Next up was the bucket carry where right at the start a sharp edge on the plastic sliced my left index finger deep but less than a shot glass full of blood so I kept going. Then we had some comparatively easy climbing and some fun trails that I could actually run on with the atlas carry, 7’ wall, Olympus then twister and Armer. I cruised through all of them before our steep descent down to the bender and pipe layer at about mile 8. We were warned that pipe layer was the last obstacle before the death march. 

I had heard the stories about it and knew it was about 1200’ of gain in just about a mile and a quarter. Even though I was prepared for it I had to stop for a second in awe of what we were about to do. With the fog we couldn’t even see the top. I began the climb making it to one course marking taking a break and then continuing on. I can’t remember the last time it took me over 30 minutes to go a mile. Finally made it to the top to the wicked winds coming at us like a wind tunnel. We were at the top and that meant we could go down. My strength. I got moving and put some speed on headed towards the box. Up and over that and then got directed to the ultra loop. 

I thought the death march was rough then I got to the descent in the ultra only 4 mile loop. It was so steep that walking was risky. It was tall grass, rocks and only a single path beaten down by the runners ahead of us. I slipped a few times and took it really easy so I didn’t hurt myself more. At the bottom we got to climb the 10’ wall and a short run over to the sandbag carry. I’ve done some hard carries before but this was just abusive. At least a half mile with, I’m guessing 150’ of gain. Everyone had some choice words when they saw that. A slow slug through that and then an easy sled pull and only the climb out to get back on the main course and headed to transition. 

After a hellacious climb we finally got to beater that was wet. A lot of people were in the burpee pit. I watched a couple people try and fail and then picked my lane and hit the bell with major struggle and got to move on. A little bit more running then a climb back up to the top for stairway and the tyro Traverse. At this point there were some beast runners with us and we were asking what their distance was. The RD had said the beast course was 13.9 miles. After passing mile marker 13 for them on the way down we figure we were headed back for the small obstacle gauntlet before transition. We got down and got to see another half mile climb. A lot of words were said by every racer coming by. While on that climb we passed mile marker 14 which meant 2 things. We had more to go than we thought and we couldn’t trust anything anymore. It sucked but felt appropriate for this course. We topped out the climb and then ran over to the Vert cargo net. Here Adam Kolb saw me and we had a nice chat about our continued battles on the Garmin challenges. I got over the table and net and ran over to the sandbag where I got the surprise of a decent length and a good uphill. An added bonus was competitive heats got to take a heavier 75lb bag with us. After that fun carry I ran over to spear man #5 nailed it then over to Herc and the rig. Ameer was there at the rig encouraging everyone like normal and telling us to focus. Nailed the bell. Gave him a hug and moved to transition at about 12:36PM. My first lap took about 6 hours and 15 minutes. Way longer than the 4-5 I had guessed. 

In transition I had to swap both shoes because they both developed holes in the sides. I didn’t want to risk them getting worse. A FitAid, 2 salt stick caffeine and 5 Oreos and swapped my bottles and I was out at 12:44. 8 minutes in transition. Not bad but not great. 

Lap 2 begins. 

Knowing that this isn’t 13.9 but closer to 15 without the ultra loop. I did the math and figured I had to average better than 30 minute miles to guarantee my finish. There were moments I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to hold that pace. My motto that second lap was to keep moving and finish because if I didn’t I’d have to come back and try again. 

The first couple miles were lonely as there wasn’t a lot of people on course and I got to the Tarzan swing pretty quick. I chose the same lane and went to grab the ropes and swing off the ladder when my foot got snagged and swung me slightly  to the side. I tried to hit the bell and missed. Swung back once more and missed then slipped into the water and began my nice penalty swim. I got out. Ran my PFD the 100 yards back to the start and continued on. The tire was a bit of a struggle this lap but I still managed to get it. I was worried about cramping a hamstring or calf so I took my time. Then up and down the rope amongst a group struggling with it and I was back on my way to the bucket carry. I felt pretty good through it and kept moving up the climb where I was with a few other Ultras. We kept going back and forth. They could climb and I could do obstacles and run downhills. I made short work of a wet twister to the amazement of a few runners and headed back down towards the death march. The downhill right before it was now slick mud. There was no solid sections of grass like before to run. This became another slow treacherous descent. Then got to death march round 2. Right at the bottom I cracked my FitAid that I stashed at transition and had been saving for that moment.  Took a sip and started up. About a third of the way up I saw JaLisa and a quick 25’ sprint up for hug and a couple minute chat before moving up more. About half way up my dad started yelling at me from the gondola on his way down. He was afraid he missed me so was headed back to the finish. He said he’d head back up. I said to the group that was around me that it was my dad and they started calling out ‘hi daddy’. It was good motivation to get up there. 

At the top the winds were there with the fog and rain. I stopped to talk with my dad for a couple minutes then started to get cold and needed to keep moving and began the run down to the box. Up and over that again and this time we got to take the beast route. This was a beautiful slight downhill run. I was peeking at my watch and seeing my pace dip into the mid 8 minute mile pace. This is where we got to beater and the people dropping off of it. A couple minutes to pick a lane and kept moving for the continued downhill before the climb to Stairway and Tyro. This next climb felt easier. Maybe it was just the group that we kept a constant pace. 

Up to the windy top and through the obstacles with the knowledge that I for sure was going to make the cut off. The hulk hogan volunteer yelling at people to get the tyro was hilarious and motivating. After this was the final long descent I was with another couple Ultras and we moved as quick as we could with me leading making a path. It was a good time full of Ghostbusters quotes. We pushed each other because we wanted off that mountain. We crushed the last climb and got over the vert cargo net and back to the sandbag where the volunteer told me to walk up 75’ and grab one of the 75lb bags someone dumped on the side of the course. I accepted his offer over digging through the bin and began my hike. Dropped off my sandbag and started running back to the spear throw accompanied by Haddaways ‘What is Love’ being played by the DJ. Back to spear 5 and a few moments to balance, read the wind, set and throw. Perfect throw. Excited I took off at a faster run to Herc almost running right through a guy who had his kids walking in the middle of the course. Crushed Herc and moved at a jog to the rig. Got my lane. Waited for my lane to open and started. Through the rings, across the pipe and onto the ropes. Skipped the first and grabbed the second. Where my hand slipped. I recovered with a quick adjustment reached for the third and the bell and took off at a dead sprint for the fire jump and finish. Almost ran into 2 other people here walking along the course not caring because I was done. Crossed the finish line right as Darnell was across the fence. A hug and a moment to catch my breath before my dad, Nikki, Scott and Dakota made their way over. They didn’t make the cut off to transition and DNF. 

This was by far the hardest course I have run and now know what I need to do to get better and prep for next year should I decide to return. 

The Bad:

The biggest issue I had with this race was the pre race panic attack. I’ve never had anything like that before. I think the hype around this race was getting to me and I let it. I wasn’t wrong this was going to be hard but it would have been easier if I wasn’t so worked up. 

My major weakness was climbing. I got my butt handed to me on every up hill. It’s definitely something I need to work on and I foresee a lot of time on a stair machine in my future. Some better gripping shoes wouldn’t hurt either. Those superiors didn’t work so well on some of those downhills. 

The Good:

The good part of this race was my obstacle completion. It’s a great feeling to run an Ultra with only missing 1 obstacle and that wasn’t a strength issue. It was a loss of focus and missing the bell on both swings the second lap on the Tarzan swing before I fell off. 

The better part of this race was despite being the hardest course I’ve ran with all the climbs, steep descents and technical terrain I finished and got my medal. 

The best part of this race is that I conquered that mountain and never have to come back. 

Moral of the Story:

I did it. It wasn’t easy. There were points on that course that I questioned myself and if I was capable. In the end I got through it and broke boundaries I was questioning. I’m happy with it and contemplating returning next year for another round. 

Gear/Nutrition:

• Altra Superior 3.5s

• Tailwind

• 2XU ¾ compression pants

• Black diamond storm headlamp 

• Salt stick caffeine

• FitAid 

• Under armor windbreaker 

• Solomon adv skin 5 set

• Blegg mitt extreme

Map:

Results: