How I Prepped for My First Spartan Race

Since I started taking fitness seriously, I try to challenge myself with new set of goals. The more impossible the goal seems, the more fulfilling it is once conquered.

Joining the Spartan Race was just a dream a few years ago. The moment I saw it on the news and had a glimpse of the obstacles, my eyes brightened up like a little girl seeing her dream doll. I was very enticed even more when my parents told me it looked dangerous. Hehe.

Come November 2019, I told myself "Fck it. I gotta see if I can really do it" I had to do things differently if I want to conquer the race.

1. Eat Right

Gone are the caloric deficit days when I was eating rice only once a day (during lunch time only) and skipping PM snack because I'd rather finish work right away. I went on a caloric surplus — eating more because in order for me to grow muscles, my body needs more calories and protein.

Was I scared to gain weight? A bit. Was I scared that my waistline will increase? I was. I had a lot of changes to think through. But I was so hungry to prepare for the race, that I shifted my focus on making food as my fuel and what my body needed in order to be fit to race.

It was worth it.

not exactly the same pose lol

2. Seek Help

I had to focus more on strength and conditioning and thankfully availed of coach Ralph Tolentino's program. Most of the workouts focused on strengthening upper body. His program made me realize how weak my upper body is. I was so sore most of the time, and my arms felt like burning after every workout. There was even one time it was so difficult to pump dish washing soap. Lol

Weeks passed by, I got to finally see a tiny bump on my biceps when I flex! I also noticed how the usual weights I use before seem lighter.

During the Spartan race, climbing walls was so much easier compared to when I first tried it at Pretty Huge Obstacles.

3. Train with People who has the Same Goal as You

If it weren't for my race partners, I wouldn't be pushing myself to join the race. It's a different kind of motivation to train with people who have the same goal as you. Not only will they push you to do better, but you'll learn how to do things properly and reduce the risk of injury.

During the race, my height was definitely a disadvantage. Good thing I have tall race partners I "leaned" on. Hehe.

First training with these guys and also first time at PHO

post-Spartan race!

post-Spartan race!

4. Commit

Training after a 9-6 shift wasn't the easiest decision. My schedule for training was 5 days a week. I was lucky getting home at 8PM! Most often I'd arrive 8:30PM. And latest at 9PM. As long as I wasn't sick, I'd drag myself to go to the gym. It was honestly what I was looking forward at the end of the day as I always felt closer to achieving my goal.

Thank you Spartan Ph for the photo :)

I joined the Sprint (5k + 20 Obstacles) and it was the most tiring yet satisfying thing I've done yet. Now, off to an even scarier goal and for the next fire jump.

That feeling when you see the finish line! Aroo!