Katie Webber
http://katiespartanwebber.wordpress.com/
Age: 24
- When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race
My first race was Amesbury Spartan Sprint Aug 2012. I had never heard about OCRs until Spartan Race, and I just signed up on a whim! It was an epic race that challenged me mentally and physically, but I had the most fun EVER! I was instantly hooked!
What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?)
I would say one of my biggest accomplishments was completing the VT Beast in Sept 2012. That was the toughest thing I have ever put my body through. However, an even bigger personal accomplishment has been getting over my fractured foot that happened at the beast. I found out about 2 weeks after the Beast (2 weeks before I was supposed to compete the Super for my Trifecta) that I had fractured my foot and was going to have to be in a cast, on crutches, and unable to walk for 2 or 3 months. I was devastated. I was finally getting into a groove and this really set me back. I was feeling defeated a lot and frustrated that I could not walk or drive or do anything for myself! However, I stayed connected with my NE Spahten team and they really helped me out. I lived vicariously through them all winter as they participated in winter OCRs and road races. I did my PT and was finally able to start road races again in February and I was able to complete my first OCR again in Vegas at the Spartan Race Super!
- What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?
The camaraderie is really was keeps me coming back. Having met such amazing and inspiring people is such motivation. My own team: NE Spahtens, is comprised of people that are at all different levels and have different stories on what brings them to OCRs and what keeps them coming back. I was intimidated by these races at first because they seemed like they were for super athletes or something, but after meeting people with injuries, or who lost of a bunch of weight, or who are over coming other personal issues to be active and involved, I am motivated to better myself and I am blessed to be part of such an amazing group of people!
- What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?
I am trying to lose a good amount of weight so my current training (aside from races on the weekends) includes weight training with a focus of specific muscle group days with cardio sprinkled in throughout.
My nutrition includes a ”cleaner” eating program. I am sticking to eating less but more natural carbs and fats and eating much more high (lean) protein foods. I also use a high protein, low carb whey protein shake, as well as Casein for slow protein digestion.
My goal has always been to run a marathon. Before I even lost weight, I saw contestants on Biggest Loser running a marathon and I was like I can totally do that!! I was supposed to run one in Oct of last year too, but we know that did not work out! I still plan to run one, but I want to focus more on OCRs for now.
- Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?
No, not really at all. I played soccer and volleyball for 3 years in junior high and was good. But I have always been over weight so I was too embarrassed to play once I got into high school. I started to lose weight in 2009 and that is when I started becoming athletic with working out and running.
- Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?
I cannot think of a famous person at the moment. However, I would love for more of my family and friends to come. It sounds cheesy, but It would be awesome to have my family and friends more involved in what I am passionate about.
- Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!
I can say the alphabet faster backwards than forwards!
- What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?
Two words: TRIPLE TRIFECTA. After my stupid injury last season preventing me from completing the Super for my trifecta I want it SO bad this year. While being injured I stayed active in the Street Team, getting sign ups and spreading the word. I also volunteered on crutches at Fenway. With all the free races I earned I was able to sign up for over 9 races, including a triple trifecta. I am so excited and just want to remain injury free to complete it! Having completed the Vegas Super and 2 rounds of the Colorado Military Sprint, I am only one race away: Utah Beast, for my first Trifecta of the season.
