In the couple weeks leading up to this Spartan Race, I was psyching myself out because I knew it’d be more cross fit oriented than the Vermont Sprint which was mountainous and muddy. I had never rowed a rowing machine, don’t appreciate stair climbing and knew that the rope climb was looming. Aside from the nervousness, I was so super excited for a new type of race and to run with the Corn Fed Spartans! AROO!
Andy and I were set to run the 9am wave with a whole lot of the CFS team. I rocked my Baby Spartan shirt with my dad’s tribute on the back and sported CFS compression sleeves to represent. We arrived at 7:15am, picked up our packets and were immediately surrrounded by Corn Feds! There were over 400 signed up to run this race together and a lot of us got together to take a team photo at 7:30am. I got to meet a lot of people I’m friends with on Facebook so that was awesome. It felt great to be a part of the Largest Team at the race (and the fastest). What a great group of people!!
We warmed up, stretched and tried to fight off the cold, 45 degree Milwaukee weather and then lined up with our wave, watching 15 Spartans take off every minute. I was so amped! PLUS I really wanted to get moving because I was freezing. Haha. When we took off racing, we started on one of the ramps going up crawling under ropes and hoping over them for about three or four levels. When we got to the top where the concessions area was, we ran half way across the length of it to get to the Medicine Ball Slam area. We all had slam 20 or 30lb. balls 30 times. I cant rememberr how much they weighed but THAT was not fun. I got it done (finally) and met up with Andy so we could start running stadiums. It really was not as bad as I thought it would be but my side had a severe stabbing pain from all of the med ball slams. I stopped to take some breaths and stretch and carried on for a bit as the pain subsided.
We ran up and down and across all of the sections in the upper bowl of the ball park and came back down into the concession area. This is where it is all a blur to me. I can’t remember the order of obstacles but that’s okay. I know we did Over-Under-Through walls, monkey bars and Hobie Hops (band around your ankles, hopping up the stairs three flights with your feet together) somewhere in here. Haha. And more running.
I was finally feeling warmer, no matter the temperature in the ball park. When we came back in for the second time from running stadiums, it was time for the dreaded rowing machines. We had to row 500m in 2 minutes all the while I’d never ROWED. EVER. But I’m strong so I thought I could do it. Andy and I started beside each other at the same time and I made the mistake of kind of stuttering, realizing just how far I could pull back and SHOULD pull back. Andy got a big AROO! on his screen so no burpees for him. I got down to 35m left and BURPEES! NOOOOO! I was so upset that I was that close and failed. I felt nauseous and lo and behold, Andy was too! He sat and waited while I SOMEHOW pushed out 30 burpees. Then it was on to the 7′ wall. Up and over. Done.
I don’t recall the order but we had to go down to the parking lot, hit the Traverse Wall (I failed), climb over the 8′ wall, then Spear Throw (FAIL AGAIN!) and then back up the ramp into the building again. I saw a camera guy and acted like an idiot. Here you go. Enjoy even though it’s dark.
I don’t know what was next but maybe it was Sandbag Carry. I can’t remember how much it weighed for me but all I know was it was light and I could have carried it all over that stadium. No joke. After we dropped the bags off, little kids were lined up along the railing giving us all high-fives. It was sweet. Water time and then back down the stairs, through the dugout and club house and out back.
We had to Jump Rope 50 times but it was a huge rope and I don’t know much extra weight it was but it was a challenge. It was rough but I did it, counting out loud for the moderator. There were push-ups too. But we had to lower all the way down to our chests, lift our hands and then push up. 20 of those. Not fun for my shoulders.
We ran out to another parking lot area and met up with some more Corn Feds. We had to do the Jerry Jugs, carrying them around a loop of the parking lot with the water sloshing around in it. That was fun. I don’t know why I get a kick out of carrying things on my shoulder. Then we came to the Atlas Carry. THAT beast of a concrete block was heavy. Lifted it, carried across maybe 25 feet, put it down, 5 burpees, pick it up again, carry back and set down without crushing my fingers or toes. BOOM. Done.
We ran in with CFS and back out on to the clay around the diamond. We climbed the cargo net which was fun. Got a lot of hellos from the CFS team and a big hug from Bob. We went up to my favorite beast mode obstacle, the Herculean Hoist. I hoisted that block up to the top with no problem and slowly lowered it down, moving on to the Rope Climb.
I’m mad that I couldn’t complete this and had to do burpees. I know the technique to use WITHOUT the knots and I felt like the knots only hindered me. I failed but I was so proud that Andy got all the way to the top and happily rung that bell. Some day that will be me too!! 🙂 We ran around the outfield to the Box Jump area. Jumped up on top, stepped down and did it again 20 times. FUN! Then down through the gladiators (who didn’t even hit me hard) and to the finish line!
I absolutely want to do this race again. It was harder in so many ways than my Vermont Sprint was but I did it quicker. I think not having to climb a mountain had something to do with it. Ha. Next year I’d like to do it again and some other Ball park races as well. I was proud that I ran 90% of the race, walking only when we got stuck behind others who were walking but man, it was fun! Hearing the “CORN FED!” shouts throughout the course was encouraging and exciting! I was so glad to represent and be a part of that team! SO excited to see everyone again at another race!
I’m very thankful that my boyfriend, Andy came to Vermont for our first race and again to Milwaukee for our second. Racing together has been amazing and I really love the time we spend together. He’s a great support system and we always have a blast together! I’m proud of us for finishing our second race!! :-* I love my Spartan.
Now I’m mad the winter is here. I want the Indiana Sprint to come sooner … or maybe a race in Florida!? 🙂 Until next time … AROO!
The Baby Spartan 