By Daniel Pebbles

We men, we live, we are strong, we rule, we beat our chest, and yet our strength is nothing next to the will of the women who love us. I have never been surer of this than I was when I watched my wonderful, beautiful, wife (my SPARTAN PRINCESS) complete the Spartan Military Sprint Challenge at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs Colorado.

For months now I have watched my wife dedicate herself to change physically and mentally. Working out almost daily at Gottsche. Now she had been doing this while never failing in any of her others endeavors such as taking care of our children, our home, her more than needy husband, and full time job.

I did not know much about what she had signed up for with this Spartan Race until I watched what it made her. Waves of 200 racers were released beginning at 0800 hrs. and continued throughout the day. Sherri’s heat was set to go at 0915 so numerous racers had been released prior to her start, making the course ahead wet and muddy in places that those who started first and or were in the lead would never have known. Just to give you an idea the first obstacle was a series of trenches that were 4 to 5 feet in width and full of water and mud, and there were at least five of them.

She was nervous and so was I, but she now it was time for her to do her thing out on the course. So then the waiting started. Minutes were multiplied and time seemed to slow down as I watched for her to appear on the horizon.  And then finally of all people to see her, Stone said, “Hey there is mom.” He pointed to an area just after the mud crawl, under the barb wire and through several mud pits, as long as or longer than two semi trucks and trailers end to end. And there she was covered in mud from head to toe running toward the “spear throw.”

I hollered, “Sherri” and the kids yelled, “mom!”

We caught up with her just prior to the spear throw and due to the bottle neck of throwers we were able to exchange a few words. She was muddy from head to toe, sopping wet shoes and an abundance of mud caked on her face, hair, and clothes. I could tell she was tired, exhausted.

I looked at her and simply said, “Do you want to quit.” And with a look that I honestly can say I have never seen in her before she said, “No”. I never asked again. We told her that we loved her and she continued on to the spear throw. That is where we lost her and we did not find her again until the mud pits on the other side.

Once she emerged from the mud pits there was the slanted wall of 10 feet or so that now was covered in wet mud, and the ropes were so slick with mud the racers could not hold on as they attempted to scale the wall and continue on. This is where I truly learned the meaning of this endeavor that my Spartan Princess had got herself into. As racer after racer attempted the slick muddy wall and muddy ropes, numerous racers slipped and fell back from where they had started. Other racers stepped forward and were able to get atop the wall and sat on top and helped racer after racer get up and over this obstacle. Encouraging words, hands outstretched helping each other beyond this obstacle of slick mud and slimy rope. This is when I learned this race was not about who was first or the fastest. It was about who was willing to give that possibility up to turn and put out their hand to someone who was struggling and simply say, “Take my hand.” I am a man a chest beater but I became just a little emotional at this point, not outwardly because I am a chest beater.

As Sherri stood in line for this obstacle we were to be able to speak with her. She was watching as racer after racer slid back and or fought this wall. She looked at me and said, “I don’t think I can get over that, I don’t know anyone here to help me. I told her to just go for it and they would help her. And she did, she grabbed the muddy rope and twisted it around her hand and placed her muddy shoes on the slick muddy wall and began to pull herself up and as she did the racer on the wall above her and the one below her helped her scale that wall of which she thought she could not do. I was in awe of her, and so very proud. Then we again lost sight of her for what seemed like forever. In the distance you could see where it appeared racers had to drag huge tires and hike up and down a steep hill with back packs (that I was sure were not empty) and then disappear from sight for god knows what for which seemed like forever.

And then again on the horizon the kids and I seen her, coming down the hill toward the last four obstacles that were between her and the end of this madness. What were left were the rope climb, cargo net, fire pit and gladiator pit. The rope climb was so slick with mud it was 30 burpee’s and on to the cargo net. Sherri climbed up and over without a hitch. Then on to the fire pit, which she cleared with ease, and through the gladiator pit  to the finish line.  That’s when my Spartan Princess received her Spartan medal. 

As I took her picture standing there covered in mud from head to toe, with her medal around her neck on the right side of the finish line. I realized why she had answered the way she did when I asked her if she wanted to quit. Even though at the time of my question I knew and she knew she was tired and hurt all over but it did not matter as she intended to conquer and nothing was going to prevent that, not 4.5 miles, not 28 obstacles, not the mud, not being alone (or at least thinking you were), the face I looked into was one of determination and dedication. I realized it was the same as many of the faces that I saw thrusting forth their hands and simply saying, “take my hand, there is no way we fail”.

I learned a lot from my Spartan Warrior Princess this date. And I am one lucky chest beater.

Tags: Colorado Springs, Fort Carson, Reebok Spartan Military Sprint, Reebok Spartan Race, spartan chicked

by Jennifer Jarvi, Spartan Street Team

In January of this year, a fellow Spartan Chick posted about a contest with a prize of a week for two at the Biggest Loser resort. “Wouldn’t it be cool if a Spartan Chick won?” Yeah, sure it would.  Nobody ever wins these things or there is always a catch. I entered and totally forgot about it. Weeks later, on a day I was beaten and battered by the world, I was informed that I won a week with a friend to the Biggest Loser Resort of my choice. When that certified letter arrived though, it really did hit home. I didn’t deserve this spectacular awesome prize.

As the date of my first ever Spartan Race in Indiana approached, I learned of the Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge heat. I was already signed up for the standard race, but I wanted to help out with this event somehow so I volunteered. It seemed appropriate. It was the least I could do. The Biggest Loser Resort gifted me a week at their resort (minus the usual expense of transportation and taxes) that I will be taking next month. I worked for months losing nearly 100 pounds of weight and getting healthier for my first Spartan Race. What better way to give back to both a little for what they did. I could pay it forward a little. I was very sad I would miss running the heat with the CornFed Spartans, Spartan Race’s largest team to date, but somehow felt that volunteering was just as important. These CornFed Spartans are like family and they live by the Spartan Code. I would run on my own later in the day.

What I witnessed and what transpired from this decision was more inspiring and incredible than I could ever imagine. After participants got a pep talk from Dan and Jackie from Biggest Loser’s Season 5 and some shared their personal stories, we set off to the start line. At 9:15am, my friend Chris Davis, my friend Bridget, and I headed out with backpacks of water bottles to support the Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge heat participants. Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge competes as a team. Everyone helps everyone, participants are encouraged them to try obstacles without penalty. As we started along the course, I had the opportunity to share my own struggles with some of the participants.

Just before we got to the ‘playground portion’ of the Indiana Course, I saw Cornfed Spartan jerseys passing by. I called out to the CornFeds and I smiled brightly because I knew in my heart what was about to happen. This couldn’t have worked out better. You see, CornFed Spartans take great pride in helping not only one another, but also everyone out there on the course; making sure there is no one left behind!

I saw Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge participants become Spartans. I saw Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge participants step outside their comfort zone with determination, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit and conquering their fears. I saw CornFed Spartans reach out a hand of assistance instantly to anyone struggling, taking action to back up their words of support and encouragement. I saw Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge participants push CornFed Spartans up the barb wire crawl hills and vice versa. I saw lots of hugs and smiles. The amount of pure grit, determination, encouragement, teamwork, and acceptance on that course was astounding.

I used those memories and inspiration to power me through my own heat later. I was by no means fast, but like the Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge participants, I did the hardest part on my own – I got to the start line. It was all down hill from there. And with all that, my first Spartan Race is in the books, and it could not have been more epic. I highly suggest all Spartan Racers run or volunteer with the Biggest Loser Off Road Challenge heat at least once. I know I will any chance I get.I promise it will be simply incredible and inspiring. Check out their next stop!

Spartan Code

A Spartan pushes their mind and body to their limits.
A Spartan masters their emotions.
A Spartan learns continuously.
A Spartan gives generously.
A Spartan leads.
A Spartan stands up for what they believe in, no matter the cost.
A Spartan knows their flaws as well as they know their strengths.
A Spartan proves themselves through actions, not words.
A Spartan lives every day as if it were their last.

[Editor's Note: Author - Jennifer Jarvi is an aspiring mud-athlete who hopes to some day defeat her worst enemy, the rope climb. When not found on the course cursing burpees, she can be found working as a Network Engineer for a large MSO, practicing her spear throwing in her backyard, or trying not to roll an ankle on a trail run. Her favorite obstacles include barb wire crawl and long walks off the beach and into a lake. "A Spartan gives generously"
LINKS:

http://www.biggestloserresort.com/

http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com/challenge

http://cornfedspartans.com/]

Tags: Biggest Loser Resort, Spartan Charity, spartan chicked

by Ruthann Cross, Spartan Chick

A little over a year ago my family and I were given a challenge to only drink water for a defined period of time and donate any money that we would normally use on coffees, sodas and sports drinks to digging clean water wells in Haiti. This was easy for us to do for a few different reasons. One, we already drink mostly water as it is. And two, most children in Haiti do not live past the age of five because of contaminated water diseases.

Two of my children at that time were both under the age of 5 so this really tugged on my heart. It was easy for us to give. It didn’t require us to step out of our comfort zones, it didn’t require us to live outside of the ease of our everyday life. Little did I know that less than a year later I would have the honor and privilege to travel to Haiti with Living Water International and be a part of giving hope to a community. (Bonus: I would also have the opportunity to get really, REALLY muddy while I was there. Seriously, what chick would want to pass that up?)

Our travels took us just outside Cap-Haitian. We arrived in a small village full of cement block and thatch walled structures with corrugated metal roofs. Many of which did not have four walls or doors! We saw people who appeared hard and calloused and knew they were very familiar with a great deal of death and hunger, but as soon as we smiled and said hello in their language these beautiful people quickly welcomed us with great smiles and warm hearts. They knew why we had come. They knew we were there to offer hope.

This entire week had nothing to do with me, my life, my family whether or not I had the time to fit a workout in or even connect with friends through the internet. It was all about the people of Modje and the little children who followed us around as if we were the Pied Piper. It was about the women of the community who were so proud to show us the few possessions they had. It was about the homeless widow and her six children who asked us to take her youngest with us in hope of a better life. Our task was to come in and drill a clean sustainable well for this community and educate them in proper hygiene so they could hopefully have a better life, but I believe I am the one who received the greater gift. To offer the gift of hope to someone who has none was the greatest blessing of all.

Before and after this week I have had several people express how difficult this must have been to go. Some even indicated they could never do something like this as it would just be too hard. Comments like these made me realize it is not a case of whether or not we can do something but whether or not we have a willing heart and a determination to make a change. We may not all be called to head off to the jungle of some foreign land and experience the same things but each one of us has the ability to take a stand alongside others and lend a hand. It just takes stepping out of our comfort zone and making the offer. We would all probably be surprised who accepts.

Who can you offer that “sparkle” of hope to today?

Tags: Living Water International, spartan chicked, spartan race

February 9, 2013

Marissa (Mari) Romero, 42, is from The Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, AZ. She is a self-employed assisting senior loan officer and is the mother of a son and daughter. Mari was convinced by her out of state cousin, Sandra Hansen, to participate in the Reebok Spartan Sprint. Mari started training by taking Pilates classes and working out. She then hurt her back and had to scale back to next to nothing on exercise. Mari’s goal was to see just how far she could go with the little physical preparation she had.

At the start line, Mari was excited and ready to run. She felt the energy of the venue, she was confident in her own mental toughness although she knew the physical challenge would be difficult. A little shy of mile one, Mari twisted her left ankle, it made two loud cracking sounds which stopped Mari in her tracks. What she thought was a sprained ankle turned out to be a broken ankle she would find out later. Mari didn’t want to hold Sandra’s race up, so sent her cousin off on her own, assuring Sandra that she’d be alright. And alright, Mari was. She trudged on through the desert, obstacle through obstacle she plunged doing a few sets of burpees. Mari would not give up; she fought right to the end.

With her injury, Mari said that every obstacle and mile marker was an accomplishment for her whether she did the obstacle or had to do the burpees. ”The feeling at the end was exhilarating to say the least,” said Mari.

After recovery Mari plans to start training again now, and harder, as we will be seeing Mari next year at the Reebok Spartan Race. Perseverance and determination helped this strong woman complete what she came to do in the desert of Arizona.

Tags: Reebok Spartan Race Arizona, spartan chicked, spartan sprint

First Time Spartan

by Katie Scharf

Tags: spartan chicked

By Laura Stokes
Finding Strength

“Come on mom! You can do it! Don’t look down!” yelled my 14-year-old son, Jacob as I carefully scooted my butt across a cargo net suspended 30 feet in the air. Never a big fan of heights, my son’s encouragement was just what I needed to get me though the Spartan Sprint obstacle. Reebok Spartan Race has enabled me to do things I never thought I could do and to become someone I never thought I could be.

Ted Rodgers, Tommy Duffey, Stewart Armstrong, Jacob Stokes, Laura Stokes and Chan Graham

When my husband, Kade, was killed in a motorcycle accident 2 ½ years ago, I was left to raise our 7- and 11-year-old boys alone. I felt weak and helpless. That was then. The weakness has left me, I am Spartan strong. I’m not alone in that strength. My son Jacob is also a Spartan. As a personal trainer, I took Jacob under my wing to help him get his body in shape to prepare him for the race. And on race day, he was strong. He ran and conquered obstacles like a champ. But he also gave me something I hadn‘t expected, he gave a lot of encouragement When he saw the trepidation in my eyes as I approached an obstacle. He stuck by me like glue to encourage me and give a boost when I needed it.

Race Day
Jacob and I ran the Spartan Sprint March 9 in Conyers, Ga. along with three of my husband’s poker/cigar buddies and a neighbor. One Spartan chick, four Spartan dudes, and one Spartan teen equal one helluva team. I think it was a life changing experience for all of us. We all came to the race with different obstacles we were facing in our lives, but we all crossed the finish line and proved something to ourselves. As for me and my Jacob, we are hooked. The training and the race was an awesome mother-son bonding experience. It has given us something positive to focus on and prepare for. After the race we immediately went over to the registration table and signed up for the Spartan Super in Leesburg, Va. on Aug. 24. We also plan to run the Beast in Winnsboro, SC in November in order to earn the coveted trifecta.

During one recent training session before the race, I gave my son a little insight into staying motivated when the race gets tough. Losing his dad was the most difficult thing in his young life that he has ever had to endure. Our family has dealt with this tragedy and we have come out on the other side as stronger people and the three of us are bonded to each other like cement. We were Spartan strong before we even approached the Spartan start line. “If we can conquer that, we can conquer anything,” I told him. These obstacles are just a few things to slow us down on our journey, but we will get over them and get to the other side of them just as we have done in our lives.

Jacob Stokes, Laura Stokes, Tommy Duffey and Stewart Armstrong

Moving Forward
Were it not for the tragedy, I would never have become a personal trainer. I never would have made miraculous changes in my own life and we never would have made it to the Spartan. I would trade all of that in a second to have my husband back. But that isn’t an option, so we have chosen to use our tragedy to make ourselves stronger. And as a personal trainer, it is my goal to make others stronger as well. And I’m not just talking about their bodies. To me that is just a nice side effect. The real transformation takes place in the mind, spirit, heart and soul. When that late-night knock on the door from the coroner turned me into a widow at the age of 42, I was a shy, stay-at-home mom and had no idea where to turn. After God, family and friends, I found my greatest source of strength to get up and tackle every day came from physical activity. There were plenty of days that I absolutely forced myself and my children to get out and go for a walk. There were plenty of days that I didn’t feel like doing anything, but I did it anyway because I know it is what we needed. Sometimes the spirit has to be stronger than the body in order to make it through.

When my husband’s friend first approached me about doing the Spartan Race with him, I was very hesitant. I went to the Spartan website to see if I thought I could do it and I just wasn’t sure. My whole life I have been afraid of everything – heights, water, roller coasters – you name it. My children informed me that I wasn’t the “fun parent.” I left that crazy stuff for my husband, but now it was just me. I decided I was ready to break out of my shell to become a better, stronger person. Being a part of the Spartan family is so much more than a group of people that finish a race together. Its principles translate into everyday life. When you conquer those obstacles, you realize you are stronger than you thought you were. If you can do this, what else can you conquer? At the Georgia sprint we witnessed a racer that had lost 400 pounds, one that was in a wheelchair and another missing an arm and a leg. That is what the Spartan spirit is all about – using the cards you have been dealt and being the best you can be, and perhaps in the process you will inspire someone else to be their best. I was a victim but now I am a victorious. Thank you Spartan for being a part of my victory. My next goal is to get my 9-year-old son Joshua in the Jr. Spartan Adventure Race so that it can be a true family affair. I’m also thinking about becoming a Spartan Group X certified coach in Greenville, SC. Everyone should have the opportunity to be a Spartan, and I welcome the opportunity to lead as many there as possible. Fitness has changed the lives of me and my family. I recently began a blog, Girlonfirefitness.blogspot.com, that I hope will inspire, motivate and educate others to give fitness its rightful place in their lives. There is no other drug on the planet like exercise.

Tags: Reebok Spartan Race, spartan beast, spartan chicked, spartan sprint, Spartan Super, trifecta

Read Part One HERE.

2013
At the end of 2012, prior to the Spartan Beast, I sustained a stress fracture to my right foot. I unknowingly ran the Beast thinking it was a minor injury, then went on to run my first half marathon two weeks later. After taking two months off to rehab my foot, I began training with my team (the Georgia Obstacle Racers and Mud Runners) for the Spartan Race in Georgia and getting excited about the 2013 race season!

Then I heard about the Biggest Losers Run/Walk Challenge that Spartan Race also hosted. I thought it sounded like a good idea, so I registered and was so thrilled over this chance to work with and motivate others. A set of fortuitous circumstances led up to me transferring from the Open Heat to the Elite Heat the week of the GA Spartan Race. Add yet another thrilling dimension to my Spartan experience! I was so nervous!

I thought, “What am I doing on the start line of the female Elite heat? I’m 46 years old, and I’ve never been known as an athlete?”

As I ran across the terrain and through the woods, I felt strong! I took on one obstacle after another, burpee-free! And then it happened…Somewhere in the 3rd mile, my right ankle found that random hole in a flat field, rolled, and snapped like a twig. My first thought was, “I HAVE to finish this heat and get back in time to help with the Biggest Loser Challenge.” The course volunteer asked if I wanted her to call a Medic. “No, I’m finishing this race”, I said as I heaved a sandbag over my head and walked up the hill, confident I could walk it off. I was jogging as I came back down the hill.

I finished the race in 1:15:34, ran off the course, grabbed my volunteer t-shirt and ran back on to the course to find Chris

The Fab Five

Davis and the Biggest Loser Challenge participants. I randomly attached myself to a group of ladies I wound up calling my “Fab Five” and journeyed with them throughout the course. As we approached each obstacle, I gave them instructions on how to successfully navigate through the obstacle… should they choose to do it. I was THRILLED that they chose to take on every challenge (with the exception of the rope climb). They were FEARLESS!

The Fab Five and I worked together as a team through each obstacle, over every hill, and across every mile. The bond seemed to solidify more and more as we continued on our journey, and I saw confidence exuding through the mud as the ladies proved to themselves they could do what they set their minds to. The encouragement they received from the Spartan Racers along the course bolstered their sense of determination as well! They began cheering for and encouraging the Spartans who ran past them in a show of camaraderie!

Almost to the Finish Line
As most of the time we encountered cold water, the pain of my sprained ankle was kept at bay; but I also believe the adrenaline and the endorphins were my saving grace. At the slippery wall, the only thing left between these ladies and their finisher’s medal was the wall, the mud crawl ,and the gladiators. A couple of the ladies took on the slippery wall, paying close attention to the instructions I gave them, “Keep your weight behind you, your feet in front of you, and use your hands to pull you along. I’ll be at the top to help you over.” The third, and final, lady in our group to attempt this obstacle stepped up to the wall, hesitantly saying she would “try”.

I yelled, “You’ve got this!” One of her teammates stood next to me on the back of the wall, ready to help her find her way over.  She grabbed the rope and began to climb, strong and confident. Then a look of hesitation flashed across her face. Self-doubt started to gnaw at her resolve, “I just don’t have any upper body strength.”

I yelled, “You’re halfway here! You’re doing it! You’ve got this! Keep coming!”

Another Spartan Racer was scaling the wall, and he stopped to help assist my Fab Fiver in her quest up the wall. She wanted to quit. She wanted to let go. I knew I couldn’t let that happen, so I grabbed her hand and yelled, “I’m not letting you go!” She didn’t realize at the time that I was leaning backwards. If she chose to let go, I was going to tumble off the back side of the wall. I believed in her. So did the crowd who was cheering her on! The Spartan Racer who had been behind her climbed over the wall and reached across to help us as another Spartan Racer got behind her and started pushing.

As we got her left leg over that wall, the emotions burst forth in uncontrollable sobs… it was ME who was crying! The crowd was cheering her on! Her teammates were cheering her on! So many emotions of that day all released at once as I grabbed her at the bottom of the ladder and hugged her tightly! The team laughed at the fact that I was crying!

We still had the mud crawl. I ran from the first of the team to the last, encouraging, and cheering, and redirecting! When the final one cleared the barbed wire, I had us link arms and said, “Let’s do this!” We ran through the gladiators across the finish line together! My team was THRILLED to see the blood from the scratches and scrapes! It was a personal victory for each and every one of them!

I’m still in contact with each of those ladies and have added them to my team! They are signing up for more OCR’s and are still on an incredible high from their accomplishment!

The Street Team provided this great opportunity for us to share our Spartan Spirit with our fellow athletes of the Biggest Loser Run/Walk Challenge, and for that I am grateful. That race changed me in a positive way. Yes, I sprained my ankle and tore a ligament, but I finished strong in my Elite Heat (because I had a purpose); and my team of Fab Five finished as stronger ladies because of the experience they had.

I’m 46, almost 47, and I AM A SPARTAN CHICK and STREET TEAMER! AROOOO!

Spartan isn’t just a race it’s an experience!  You’ll know at the finish line.  Sign up today. 

Tags: Biggest Loser Run/Walk Challenge, chris davis, Reebok Spartan Race, spartan chicked, Spartan Race Street Team

The Moment Life Changed
On October 23 2004, Joei Harrison’s life changed in one brief, horrific moment.

Her car was hit head-on by a drunk driver.  The collision that took the life of her six year old daughter Elisabeth cracked the skull and lacerated the liver of her son Ethan.  The accident knocked her unconscious and left her with a host of injuries including fractured vertebrae,  a shattered arm, and a concussion.

Harrison awoke five days later in the hospital with no memory of the accident but immediately saw her arm in apparatus, pins sticking out of her thumb. Looking around, she saw a room full of doctors who were at that moment deciding whether or not they would have to use a halo thoracic brace with a metal ring that is secured to the skull with screw pins.

That was a devastating day. Her emotional grief and physical rehabilitation would have to somehow begin and she also had to manage the impending legal battle with the person who caused it all.   She recalls, “On the way home to my mom’s house I remember trying to speak and what came out of my mouth sounded like a tape being eaten.  My words were all jumbled up and could not make sense of what I was saying.”

The Beginning of Recovery

Harrison was angry, “I was pissed off that I could not speak.  I remember just mentally thriving on the anger to overcome what was wrong with my speech, something clicked and I was focused and able to speak again.”  Life was busy and difficult, “I was going to rehab 3 days a week, dealing with funeral arrangements, being a mom and trying not to lose it for my son.”

The rehabilitation was a long road back grounded in excruciating pain.  “My right arm was about three times the size of my left one after the apparatus came off.  I remember the first time going to physical therapy where Jack, my therapist, massaged my arm to get all the fluid out.  It was so painful I passed out.”

The surgery on her arm left Harrison with limited range of motion, “My arm was missing bone in 6 different spots. When the doctors put my arm back together there were gaps in the bone where metal plates would connect one bone to the other.”  The reality of the damage was setting in, “I now had a permanent disability in my arm, loss of range of motion, could not extend my arm fully out and lost length in my arm since it was a permanent 90 degree angle and no longer could touch my face or drink with my right hand.  I had to learn how to use my left hand.”

She’s been getting surgeries ever since.  A constant state of rehabilitation and recovery but in 2011, Joei registered for the Super Spartan in Temecula.  She wasn’t sure on the day of the race if she was ready, “Saturday morning it was raining, cold wet, and miserable.  Out on the course the weather changed.  It started to hail on the way up the mountain until it turned to snow. I was already sick and I could not believe what I was getting myself into.  At that moment, along came the spear throw and I made it on my first try.”

Spartan Races

She finished the race, proud of the accomplishment and found a new challenge, the Spartan Death Race, “I learned about the Death Race here at one of the booths.  I looked at the information and said I suffered and went through Hell and back I think I could do this.  So I registered for 2012 Summer Death Race and finished top 5 female.”

Proving to herself that she’s a survivor in every sense of the word and that she’s somehow found a new normal, “My life is not normal but doing stuff like obstacle course racing gives me a sense of being normal again.”

Her son Ethan has also recovered from his injuries, “When I came home from the SoCal Super in Temcula, my son Ethan was waiting for me. His eyes popped out when he saw the medal that I got and he said, “mom I want to do this.”‘

And so she got him involved in the races.  ”At the 2012 NorCal Beast he did the Spartan Kids race.  He was having so much fun out there.  As he would approach an obstacle, he would already have what he was going to do planned out.  One obstacle after another, he dropped and rolled under the obstacle and popped up to his feet to continue the run. Spartan Race brought my whole family and friends together.”

Even in her darkest hours, a mother’s love, coupled with a will to survive, and the ability to push through any obstacle put in her way made Joei realize her own strength.  The gritty determination that carries her through every aspect of her life, whether it’s providing for her family, recovering from devastating injuries, doing her job, or attacking a Spartan Race course.  And Joei will be in Las Vegas to race the Reebok Spartan Race in Vegas.

If you have ever wondered if you can finish, you just have to decide to start.  We’ll see you at the finish line.  Sign up today. 

Tags: death race, Joei Harrision, Reebok Spartan Race, spartan chicked

by Delaine Anderson, Spartan Chick

The Beginning

Call me Jane Doe. I was your average, … well, maybe never average, but I was definitely not what you’d refer to as an athletic “40-something” year old female. The year was 2010, and I decided I wanted to try running. It always seemed like something I might like to do, but I tended to be more of a “gym rat”, drawn to working out with weights. “Mix it up,” I thought; so I signed up for my first 5k.

By the time Christmas rolled around, I was filling out my wish list for my personal Santa; and I came across a Mud Run ad and knew that sounded like something I needed to do. Running 5k’s and road running just didn’t hold a “thrill” for me. Santa came through in flying colors that year (thank you, Mark Giffune)! I couldn’t have been more excited nor more nervous and nauseous at the same time.  With that race, I got hooked into the world of Obstacle Course Racing! I had never experienced such an endorphin high as when I was taking on the obstacles, running the switchback trails, and encountering “teamwork” in the truest sense of my life.

Spartan Race

Still on the high from my introduction to my new obsession, I registered, along with my first team, for the 2011 GA Spartan Race. This race was different for me; I still had that “high” but I felt like Spartan Racing was “home”. The obstacles felt like more of a true challenge of my physical abilities, my determination, and my endurance. How could I not want to invite everyone I knew to run these races with me? I’ve worked in sales in the past and knew that if my heart wasn’t in it, it would be a hard sell. I am PASSIONATE about this!

When I heard about the opportunity to be a part of the Spartan Street Team and read about the cool swag and opportunities for promoting Spartan Race, I knew I had to be a part (who doesn’t like swag and free races, right?)!

Trifecta

As I continued on in my personal quest for the Trifecta Tribe in 2012, my travels took me to Virginia for the MidAtlantic Super where I had the opportunity to meet Spartan Race enthusiasts from around the country. I was also privileged to meet the Elite Runners in person who I had read about and admired (Hobie Call, Andi Hardy, Margaret Schlachter, and Alec Blenis) and to see the spectacular entrance of Team X-T.R.E.M.E. and progress through the final 3 obstacles. What I really started to learn at that race was the true sense of community in Spartan Racing.

Two months later, I journeyed on to complete the final leg of my Trifecta in South Carolina at the Beast. The thrill I felt at finishing that race and receiving that Trifecta Medal can be compared to few moments in my life. I had done it! And I made a lot of new friends in the process at the campsite, online through the Street Team FaceBook page, and at the venue.

My ride to the Carolina Beast was with Matt B. Davis. He told me something on that trip that has stuck with me. He told me how people in the Spartan Race community “pay it forward”; they help one another out, whether it’s through great discount codes, free races, carpooling, sharing hotel rooms, encouraging one another, and just being a team. I’ve come to truly understand that in the time since then…

Next week we’ll feature the rest of Delaine’s story.  Are you ready to find a Spartan finish line?  Register today. 

Tags: Reebok Spartan Georgia Sprint, Reebok Spartan Race, spartan chicked, Spartan Trifecta

One Spartan Chick tells her amazing story of leaving one broken life for a new one. Baptized in mud, she proved to herself that she couldn’t be broken. Here’s her story…

End and a Beginning

Early last summer my 14 year marriage ended. Over the past 10 months I have struggled to regain some sense of normalcy as I developed a new identity rooted in my own desires; for the first time out from under control and power of a man. After three unsuccessful suicide attempts and two hospitalizations I decided I want to live…but I needed a new beginning.

The Breakthrough

My breakthrough came in the form of a text message from my ex-husband and comments from his supporters who all accused me of abandoning my marital commitments for the “cult of fitness.” I wondered how a hobby I developed in my thirties to increase my physical well being could be such a bad thing. In fact, somewhere in my many trail runs and weight lifting sessions I found more than physical strength. I found I had the emotional strength I needed to survive my divorce and come out happy on the other side.

I decided to commit myself to my fitness goals…and what better way than “marrying” them? When I ran my idea by the wonderful ladies on my team they jumped on board eagerly and picked up rainbow tutus so they could be my bridal party. Every obstacle we conquered together at this Spartan Sprint put me one muddy step closer to starting my new life. In the end, trashing my wedding dress was cathartic and a load of fun. I thank all the folks along the trail who cheered me on and my wonderful teammates,as well as some other behind the scenes supporters who have become my moon and stars, providing light in my darkest hours.  Arooooo!

When will you find your Spartan finish line?  Sign up today!

Tags: Reebok Spartan Georgia, spartan chicked, spartan sprint, Tales from the Chicked