The second Spartan Super of 2013 arrived in North Miami this weekend. 80+ degree temps, high humidity, ample sunshine, and a powerful UV index were in abundance. This event holds unique importance to me because it marks the one year anniversary of my introduction to obstacle course running. I didn’t participate in Miami Spartan 2012, but some friends did. Their pictures ignited an obstacle race Google search and I quickly went from beginner to enthusiast. Now, a year later, I was eager to meet a handful of robust fellow enthusiasts representing the NE Spahtens who made the journey seeking tropical spartan glory.
Oleta River State Park requires a 5-10 minute shuttle from a separate parking location just like Amesbury. The shuttle bus actually drove under a cargo net bridge created by the stacks of two by two cargo containers. Athletes were rolling over the top of the net as shuttles passed through underneath. The festival area seemed tight and chaotic at times, but any tent/service I needed was utilized in a timely manner. Free samples of coconut water, protein bars/drinks, etc. we’re notably absent or were hidden.
The 8.3 mile course highlighted the South Florida inshore ecosystem of bays, estuaries, mangroves, seagrapes, pine, bamboo, and limestone. Several miles of mountain bike trails meandered through the forest. Here’s the list of obstacles in order thanks to a spectator map:
- Under over under over walls
- Water crossing via bay
- Over under through walls
- Monkey Bars
- Water crossing with buoy line
- 7 foot walls
- 6 foot walls
- Rolling mud (trenches)
- Tractor Pull
- Sandbag carry
- Cargo net bridge
- Atlas lift (lift large chuck of concrete, walk, 5 burpees, lift and return)
- 8 foot walls
- Tire flip (three over and three back)
- Hercules hoist
- Bucket hoist (repel down embankment, fill three homer buckets, spill H2O, climb back up)
- Rope climb
- Traverse wall
- Mud crawl under barbed-wire
- Slippery wall
- Gladiator pit
Spectators had excellent access to the final five obstacles as well as a walking trail to view others. I was pleased to complete all of the obstacles with zero penalty burpees. I did complete 30 “team” burpees for the two locals I ran with. I also learned a valuable lesson: Don’t make Spartan races any harder than necessary. For example, I chose the one XL tire because I was impatient. The body strain nearly left me with a soprano voice and sent me to the OR to repair soft tissue tears.
I found it difficult to partition my time among several local factions, the traveling Spahtens, and my family. I look forward to seeing new and familiar Spahtens as we travel around the globe seeking new challenges. Thank you to Keith (solid man), Nele (Naila-friendly beast), Corrine (sweet soul), Tom (proud dad), Ellen (cat who swallowed canary smile), Betty (saw her for a second), and Yvette (self-proclaimed bag crasher). I’ll see you at the Ruckus!
