In the fall of 2018 my sister Karin, my Daughter Mandy and I decided it was time to complete a Spartan Trifecta. In order to achieve our goal we would have to complete a Spartan Sprint, Super and Beast in a calendar year. September 8, 2019 we Did It!
We started our Trifecta in Mesquite Nevada and completed it in Seattle Washington.
My original plan was to do both the Super and the Sprint in Mesquite in one weekend and finish my Trifecta in Seattle. However due to injury a few weeks prior to Mesquite I had to throw in the Portland/Washougal Sprint in order to complete my Trifecta.
I've done the Portland/Washougal sprint several times. It was my first Spartan and the one that got me excited about Obstacle Course Races. It is a 3+ miles trail run with 20+ obstacles that challenges all your fitness abilities. Push, pull, climb, lift and balance. Remember how much fun you had as a kid? Obstacles Course runs are the adult version of playing!
The Super is a 7+ mile trail run with 25+ obstacles.This was my least favorite one. Granted, I was not at my best for this run! My injury from a month ago was healed but mentally and physically I was still a bit off. I finished. However, instead of having a great time and enjoying the challenges and the other people around me, I just thought it was painful. Negative thoughts got the best of me on this one! I survived!
The Venue however was nice and as always the Spartan crew and volunteers were great.
The Beast is a 13+ trail run with 30+ obstacles. I was told by my son, who had already Trifecta that I would enjoy this distance more than I did the Super. And he was right, I did! I am not sure if it was because there was more running and fewer obstacles or if my mindset was just better, but I truly enjoyed this race.
All three venues where great, and the Spartan Support groups were helpful and encouraging. My favorite venue is still Portland/Washougal.
All three for the most part have the same obstacles with a few more added in for the Super and the Beast. However, being a trail runner I am always looking for great trails, and Washougal Wa. has them.
If you are looking for a fitness adventure look into Spartan Runs. They are not easy; however, they are a fun way to stay fit and active. Spartan's are ran all over the World, the people who organize and staff them are always helpful and friendly and best of all the Spartan Community is supportive of each other and friendly. A Must for me! When I do a Spartan I do it for the enjoyment not for the competition. Knowing that those around me are there to enjoy themselves as much as I am is key to having a great experience. Be prepared to meet people from all over and be ready to help and be helped by others when you hit the obstacles. Spartan Runs are about helping each other achieve a goal!
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