Parking

Registration and Festival Area

Gear and nutrition

Under Armour Coldgear Beanie

Spartan long-sleeve compression shirt

Goruck half-zip

Fenix 3 HR

Neosport Premium Neoprene gloves

Under Armour Coldgear compression tights

Some regular athletic shorts

Running socks and Merino wool socks on top

Taped blister-prone areas with KT tape

Icebug Zeal3 trail runners

Nathan VaporAir Hydration Vest

Hammer Gels - Espresso and Peanut Butter

1L of water + 1 packet of HEED + 1 Endurolytes Fizz

Athlytes capsules for some rescue electrolytes

A little over 8 miles and about 3,000 ft of elevation

Race

Threw the hydration pack on the side for this...

Conclusion

It's been a year since my first Spartan race, and since the Tri-State Super is my inaugural and home venue, this race is sort of sentimental to me. Of course this time around, it was much different than when I broke the seal. There were no "What did I get myself into?" or "This is the last time I'm doing this" moments, but rather feelings of contentment knowing how far I've progressed in one year. Nevertheless, let me get right into it...This was the first time I've had to do general parking at this venue, and it was surprisingly smooth. The bus lines seemed long, but the buses came 2-3 at a time, and it was a short 5 minute ride. It was easy figuring out which bus to take back to my car. I will say that you should incorporate some buffer time if you don't plan to do VIP parking. Last year we did VIP and split the cost, and it was definitely worth it, but I don't know if I would absorb the whole cost myself.Registration was quick. I can't remember if I used to sign the paper waivers, but this time adult racers signed them electronically, decreasing congestion and confusion. The festival area was easy to navigate, but I didn't really spend much time there besides bag check and a short warm-up. One thing I will say is that the booth with the Finisher shirts was a little bit removed from the finish line. I noticed this when I walked in, but forgot about it when I finished the race. Now I'm down a shirt...This is the first Spartan race that I ran without any pre-race jitters or anxiety. I was surprisingly cool, calm, and confident. Despite being a little sick, I knew my training would carry me through this race and I told myself to just have fun with it. I screamed the signature "Aroo! Aroo! Aroo!" in my head and we were off!As always, we started with a decent uphill, which turned the big blob of racers into a line. I decided to pace myself at this point with a light jog until I was completely warmed up. Having started at the back of the wave, I still reached the hurdles having to wait in line. This was semi-buzzkill because I was semi-trying to destroy this race. Luckily, this was the longest I had to wait in line the whole race.About 1 mile in was the infamous Dunk Wall. Having seen the map a couple days beforehand, I knew it was going to be placed this early in the race. I also knew it was going to be in the 40's, so I wore two long-sleeve layers - a Spartan compression shirt and the Goruck half zip on top. I also packed a windbreaker in my hydration pack, which I never took out. I guess I moved enough to stay warm, but it was still comforting knowing I had something to throw on, just in case. Last year, they made us walk through a pond and they called it "The Ball Shrinker", and I'm glad they didn't do that this year. My balls still haven't recovered to their original size. As you can see on the map, this began the long uphill climb. Mountain Creek has some pretty decent elevation, and you will quickly figure out how ready you are for it. The course, with all its hills, tree roots, and mud is probably the biggest obstacle. I love listening to first-timers bickering to each other, "We should have trained on trails!". That's ALL I've been doing over the past 6 months, and every bit of it helped. My game plan was to run whatever I can (low-grade climbs, flats, downhills) and brisk walk everything else. I think my Goruck training proved useful, allowing me to keep a swift pace in unsteady terrain. Rucking also made the sandbag carry seem like a joke, but I will say thatthis was never really challenging for me. Now at the middle of the course were a clever succession of obstacles -, Atlas carry,, plate drag, barbed wire crawl,, Stairway to Sparta,, and spear throw! That's a lot of grippies in a row! I was happy to make the multi-rig, which was just rings and a metal pipe. I did miss the Twister and spear throw - 60 burpees so far! I really shouldn't miss the spear throw, because I own a spear that I practice with, but whatever...lol. At this point, I was feeling pretty good - faster and stronger. It's nice when your training actually leads to tangible results.At mile 6, I had an aura, which was a sure sign of an impending migraine. I panicked and told myself I was done. If I get a migraine, there was no way I could keep racing. The panic lasted all but a few minutes, as I've picked up some faith and mental resolve over the past year. I prayed hard and mustered the strength I would need should that migraine rain down on me, but God delivered. No migraine!!!! Until after the race, that is.Happy and renewed, I ran the last 2 miles pretty hard. The last mile was downhill and I was starting to feel it in my knees and quads. But knowing that the finish line was at the bottom of the mountain, I pushed. The Bucket Brigade was as gruesome as it always is, especially when placed near the finish line. I found a buddy to keep up with and encourage, and was done with it in no time.And finally, all I had to do was climb the rope and I was done! Again, should be easy because I have a rope in my backyard, but NO. A little bit more than halfway up the rope, my left calf cramped up, and my right quad followed shortly after. After screaming out in agony, I heard someone say, "Use your arms!" I tried for a brief second, but I had nothing in me. At least that's what I'm telling myself. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't dig deeper and fight through the pain, but there will always be other opportunities to prove myself. I sucked it up, waited a few minutes to recover, did my 30 burpees, and it was off to the finish line!!I was aiming for <3.5 hours on this ~8 mile race, and I made it in 3:22! Despite failing 3 obstacles, 2 of which I really shouldn't have (spear throw and rope climb), I am very happy with my performance. Last year, my buddies and I did this course in close to 7 hours. I've learned so much since then, and it really has become a lifestyle for me. Spartan has introduced me to a continuous state of self-improvement, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Oh, did I mention this makes my first Trifecta? Delta, here I come!