Tag: Featured Athlete

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Featured Athlete: Katie Webber

vegas copy

 
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.

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Featured Athlete: Steve DellaCrose

 

  • Name:

Steven DellaCroce

  • What is your day job, and do you have other hobbies?:

I am a dad first! I’m retired. I spent a few years overseas first with the Army and then again as a private contractor. On October 10, 2011, I was injured and sent home because of my injuries. I am currently enrolled at New England Institute of Technology as a nursing student. My hobbies are reading, CrossFitting, hiking, meditating, and anything outside and physical. I love to challenge myself physically and mentally.

  • Age:

36

  • When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race.:

My first OCR was 2012 Amesbury Spartan Sprint. I went as part of CrossFit 508 team and was instantly transported back to my military roots. Here was the piece of me that was missing since I left the military/contracting world. The challenge, the mud, and the camaraderie was a piece of life I had lost. I was fortunate enough to have no clue what to expect, I arrived with 10 minutes to go before my heat. I got off the bus, got my number and went to the starting line and was off. I was cleared to start “light mobility work” roughly two weeks earlier due to my injuries. I figured “light mobility” translated into Spartan Race in my head. The race was challenging and all new to me. I was hooked instantly like so many fellow Spahtens. I look forward to this year to see how much I’ve improved. Elite heat? Possibly.

  • What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?):
  • What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?:

First and foremost, I’m attracted because I have to challenge myself and really live. Sitting still is torturous to my soul. I have to participate. Secondly, the family! My girls, the NE Spahtens, and everyone else I have met have literally saved my soul. I’m also drawn to the type of people who complete in these events. I like to surround myself with likeminded and driven people. They keep me motivated and make me work harder, not to beat them, but to beat myself.
I come back to these races to support the people around me, to see if I’m improving, to challenge myself, and to be an example to my girls! I’m always looking for the next challenge while enjoying the journey!

  • What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?:
  • Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?:
  • Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?:
  • Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!:

I can’t/won’t pee in urinals! Oh, and I’m the youngest of 13 children.

  • What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?:

Continue to grow and improve. I ran the Amesbury Sprint and the Fenway Time Trial last year. I’ll have the Tri-fecta this year, as well as run the Marine Corp Marathon in October and several other races of varying distances. I would love to do the Death Race and International Death Race this/next year. I’m signed up for the Dopey Challenge in Disney next January and I will be back to finish the Boston Marathon in 2014. I’m doing a Spartan race in Montreal this year and next year I’m hoping to do one in Australia.

Outside of training and the OCR world I hope to graduate March 2014 with my RN and use it to return overseas to help where help is needed. Yes, help is needed right here in my own backyard but overseas it is genuinely needed. I won’t get on my soapbox but for those of you who know me, know that my heart is overseas.

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Featured Athlete: Rob Gagnon

 

  • Name:

Rob Gagnon

  • What is your day job, and do you have other hobbies?:

By day I am a REALTOR and Kettlebell & Group Fitness Coach.  My hobbies include being with friends and family, running, kettlebell lifting, crossfit, Biking, Photography, being outside in NH and of course Obstacle Course Racing!

  • Age:

42

  • When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race.:

April of 2012.  My first race was an Adventure 5K held on Mcintire Ski Area in NH.  For me, It was supposed to be nothing more than a warm up and learning experience for the upcoming Tough Mudder in May of 2012 in VT as I had never done ANY kind of race before.  I figured there would be a good learning curve to the sport and wanted to test myself prior to taking on TM.  I suspected things like equipment would/could be a big factor in completing something like TM and I wanted to make sure I was properly prepared so I signed up to do this little 5k first.  Having never done ANY kind of race before I had no idea what to expect.  I instantly fell in love with probably every aspect of it from the electricity that’s in the air during packet pick up, to the anxious moments while waiting for your wave time, to the adrenaline rush I get when toeing the starting line.   When I was done, I was muddy, cold, and soaking wet.  I’m pretty sure I had a smile from ear to ear.  That was pretty damn AWESOME!  For me the rest was history.  I had found a new sport that I loved!

  • What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?):

It’s hard to pick a specific thing as i feel that there certainly were a few.  Things like, the anaconda at TM & the distance itself at TM were both things that made me a little nervous which I was able to overcome.  I’d NEVER run before I started training for TM, so the idea of running 10+ miles straight was a bit daunting.

Then there were accomplishments such as PR’s like how well did I do in a given race.  After having run 13+ races in 2012, my best finish was 1st age group/8th place over all at the September Adventure 5K in 2012 Candia.  Again, given my prior experience of 0 I was pretty proud of this.

  • What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?:

I like many things about OCR.  From the personal challenges & camaraderie to the feeling of adventure, the competition and overall atmosphere of being at or in an OCR.

  • What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?:

I train pretty regularly and fairly hard.  I am in the middle of an 8 week program right now that has me doing strength and conditioning every other day along with various types of running (track, trail, road) with a 3 days on, 1 day off rotation.  I typically do Yoga or stretching at home on my “off” days.

My dietary program is to basically eat as cleanly as possible and to graze 5-6 small meals every day.  I do not eat much dairy or breads and try to eat as many fruits & vegetables as possible.  I’m certainly not perfect though and admit my biggest weakness is a healthy sweet tooth!

In addition to OCR I also like to train for Kettlebell Sport Lifting and plan to do my first competition in September 2013 in the Long Cycle Clean and Jerk.

  • Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?:

As I kid in high school I played baseball, basketball and football.  After school I continued to play some unorganized basketball for a while.  I eventually got caught up in “adult life” and became fairly sedentary for a number of years, which led me to get seriously out of shape.  In Sept. of 2011 a friend of mine passed away of a heart attack right in front of my while playing basketball.  He was a young guy at only 47 and it really woke me up.  I started looking for a cool way to get back in shape, something I’d stick with.  I found Crossfit and Kettlebells and fell in love!  Shortly after starting Crossfit I found OCR.  I’ve tailored my WOD’s and have been continuing to train for OCR ever since.

  • Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?:

I always like reading peoples answer on this question.  Like so many others, I’d love to be able to race with my dad, he is my hero.  In a VERY close 2nd I’d love to have my son join me one day.  Other than that, I really enjoy running with pretty much anyone who enjoys the sport.

  • Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!:

I used to be a sales manager for a womens shoe company; Benjamin Walk.

  • What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?:

My  goals for 2013 are:

1) To achieve the Spartan Race Tri-Fecta.  In doing so I will again be facing and overcoming some “distance demons” with the super and beast distances.
2)  I also want to be a more competitive racer (at least in my age group).
3)  Lastly to meet new people, have some epic adventures and another great year in 2013!

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Spahten Story: Mike Downey

Mike came to my attention when he posted his massive improvement in times from the Fenway Spartan Race, to the Citi Field Spartan Race – in a few short months he went from dead last on the time sheets to a really solid performance. He credited the motivation and inspiration he got from the New England Spahtens, and the OCR class our good friend Rich Borgatti runs out of his Mountain Strength Crossfit facility.

Mike Downey time sheet

 

I asked him to tell his story.

 

For almost all of my 20’s I had been physically inactive and just not very motivated just got stuck in the grind of the 40 hr work week. When I hit 29 I decided to set a goal for myself of by the time I hit 30 to do something active and semi competitive. I found out that there was a team from Boston that was trying to get together a team for a box lacrosse tournament, so I joined the team and reached my goal of doing something by the time I was 30 but it was then I realized how badly out of shape I was and after each shift I felt like I was going to die and could barley breath. After doing the lacrosse tournament for a few years and not really doing much to physically better myself I got to the next chapter of bettering myself Spartan race

 

My journey on the Spartan road began in September 2012 when one of my friends mentioned they were going to be having a race at Fenway park ( I am a huge life long fan of the Boston red sox)  and he asked if I wanted to do it with him and a few friends that were going to do it and I originally said no way I have seen those events and I am way out of shape and I will end up hurting myself and even a few people I know were telling me that this might be a bit of a lofty goal in my current condition. After a week or so another friend of mine was trying to talk me into it and after a bit of back and forth and teasing each other on who could do better we took the next step and signed up. So it was about t-8 weeks till race day and I was over 255lbs and had a 54” stomach and could barely walk a full mile without being out of breath and needing to take a seat. Every day I would try to walk and jog a little more than the day before knowing I wanted to do the best I could in the greatest baseball park in the world.

When race day had arrived had a nice early wake up call so I could make sure I was at the park the second everything opened so I could take my time warm up and get ready for the madness that was to come, When we hit the line and started to do our burpees and right into the bear crawl I kept saying to myself “ what was I thinking, why did I get myself into this mess I am going to die” we got through the first few obstacles and then we arrived to the Budweiser roof deck with the obstacle if deadlifting the cement stone and carrying it about 25 feet and them proceeding to do 15 burpees it was here I hit my wall and collapsed and was on my back for a good ten mins and the entire time I kept telling the staff and Spartan volunteers I want to give up I cant do this  but they wouldn’t let me they kept telling me “ I had this, you can get to that finish line just do one burpee at a time” . It was at this point I saw what the true meaning of Spartan was about, helping people go beyond there threshold of what they can do and encourage them to push through the wall and do the unthinkable. From this moment on I kept saying to myself “ I got this I can make it to the finish line , I can not fail in this building I have to succeed, and all along the course I kept hearing words of encouragement from the other runners and volunteers and that kept me energized . So I kept on going sometimes at not much more than a snail’s pace but one by one I got through each obstacle and did my penalty burpees as needed.

As we got into the bleacher big concourse I really started to catch my second wind and my mind went blank and just let my body keep on pushing. Once we reached the warning track I felt like nothing could stop me and I was going to do this and I did. Crossing the finish line was the most surreal thing I have ever felt and I instantly saw that nothing in my life is impossible anymore and as long as I keep my mind on the prize I can do anything

Me and my teammate had the two slowest times for the Sunday heat but honestly it dident matter because I could say I conquered Spartan race. If anything having the slowest time is a good thing because it put the fire in my belly to want to do better and know I couldn’t let my little journey end like that and I needed a little redemption for myself and to show myself that I have what it takes deep down to make myself better. I have had several people at work and personal life see what this race has done to me and it it making them see its time for them to make chances for the better also.

In 2013 I joined the Spartan race street tem and through talking to the people on there and trying to find people to work out and help me with training I was introduced to the New England Spahtens and I started reading all the postings and chiming in every once and a great while, then the group posted that a gym in the area was going to start offering a OCR training course once a week. I have been going to the class every week and gotten the chance to meet a few of the spahtens and I know it is because of that class I have gotten quite a bit better at OCR with just the instructions we have been given and getting the tips we have learned on how to approach some of the obstacles

As of right now I am planning on 4 Spartan sprints and one hurricane heat and have been working out 6 days a week to get ready and so far have lost about 7lbs and about 10” off my stomach. My goal for the year is for the citi field race to get a sub 2 hour time and by the time I hit Fenway to be able to do that course in 90 mins or less.

Today April 13, 2013 I am writing this after completing my first race of the season @ citi field in NYC and not only did I meet my goal but I smashed it and basically reached the goal I was aiming to not hit till November at Fenway. So in a matter of 5 months I went from taking 2hr35 min to complete a Spartan sprint to 1hr38min something I am still shocked about how much I was able to improve my time. So I have revised my goal for the fenway park sprint and I want to do it within 75 mins.

 

There have been so many amazing stories about how Spartan race and the other OCR have changed peoples lives and now I am another story to add to that book. I hope my words can reach one person and help inspire them to take that first step from the couch to the bettering there life

 

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Featured Athlete: Craig Copland

Copie image

 

  • Name:

Copious

  • What is your day job, and do you have other hobbies?:

Senior Director of Technical Innovation and R&D for Telematics/M2M (Hyundai Blue Link, Honda AccuraLink thats me) but telecommunications and machine to machine solution design pretty much sums it up. Claim to fame is the build out of the American Idol texting solution (sorry world).
Day to day this is basically the same as most techie employed people out there ~ start the day with emails to get the blood pressure up, followed by meetings with nice people who bring in the fly candy (donuts) and of course being a leader and making sure that any birthday or success is followed up with a cake or celebration (tried paintball once as a reward but HR dont like that so much if it goes wrong and fruit salad is not seen the same way as choclate cake).
Of course then there is the travel, customer meetings and trade shows that do there very best to ruin any routine you may start off with.

  • Hobbies:

Rugby is my big one. Having played for 35 years this year and over this time played in age group rep teams and in 6 countries around the world.
Skiing is my other love where I skied for the New Zealand Freestyle circuit back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
Picked up Kitesurfing but once buying a house and becoming a family man that pretty much went out the door along with fitting into the wetsuit.

  • Age:

42

  • When did you start obstacle course racing? Tell us about your first race.:

First race was the Spartan Sprint in Amesbury 2012. Thought I would give it a go as it looked interesting and was on my B-Day and gave me a focus to work towards.
I was very aprehensive and got there well early 1.5 hours before and didnt really know what to expect. I had tried the WOD and seen some of the Spartan pictures to get me both excited but think WTF do I think I am doing in this young persons type of race. I had put on my buckett list to do a full triathelon until I discovered the cost and what it really took to make that sort of thing happen.
At the start line you looked around and it was a mixed crowd, lads with no tops, lycra galore and the odd person wearing a horse head or something to stand out. Interesting to say the least, a cross between a boot camp and a fun run.
I did think the build up was a little corney the first time I heard it but on reflection I have now got into it and understand the need to do it. “Shipping upto Boston” is now one of my son’s favourite songs.
I didnt rabbit out to the front and stayed with the pack, when it got to the trail running I was in my element. The thrill lasted with me all the way through and as soon as we jumped into those ditches I knew this was for me. I was amazed as many of those huge guys and army types fell by the wayside, the speedster runners struggled when it got to some of the grit and determination obstacles and then people helped get over the big walls or holding the ropes. I had to do about 120 burpees for the day (Steps, Monkey, Wall, Javelin) and felt like I had played a game of rugby by the end with the bumps, brusies and scrathes but was totally stoked. I still manged to stand at the Gladiator pit and perform a Haka before taking them on, they got out of the way for some reason. I understood what they meant by “You’ll  know at the finish line…it was not that I had finished it, it was not that I had done all of my obstacles and punishments, it was that I had found that enjoyment of youth I had been missing for so long. I signed up for the next year and brought a ticket to the Super, I am hooked.

  • What was your biggest accomplishment at an obstacle course race? What made it your biggest accomplishment (overcame a fear, injury, disability etc?):

I managed to pick up 8 free beer tickets out of the barbwire crawl at the VT Beast …

It was just getting out there and going past that tipping point where I overcame the fear of what is this about and knowing that I could do it. This fear came in many forms ~ I found out I had arthritis of the hip and would need it replaced; I had become sedentary and a blob (40 lbs added) not knowing what to do; and then of course there is the advertising saying how it is the world’s hardest, toughest etc, with people that look like they stepped straight out of Abercrombie and finch.

As soon as I found I could do it and felt I could do it better; a new passion was released in me, very soon the pounds were falling off, my hip was having less episodes and I just felt better in a holistic way from day to day.

  • What attracts you to obstacle course races? Why do you keep coming back?:

It provides that never ending goal ~ Better, faster, longer, stronger. When they say “You’ll know at the finish line” it is so true, as soon as you cross you start thinking about what you accomplished and the fun you had but what you could do the next time. What keeps me coming back is OCR and the types of people it draws, they are a little on the edge but love to get out there; mix it up and help each other out. Who else would pay to get totally cold and muddy, perform actions that are not done in the everyday modern urban world and then be proud to display it and not care what people think. It is a bit like the “Fight Club” of today without the black eye’s.

  • What are your training and/or diet routines? Do you have other athletic pursuits?:

I pretty much just get out there and look for interesting places to go and do things. I gym it about 4 times a week, with 3 young ones I have to make it fit around home and work schedules so it’s generally up for a run at 5:45 and back to get the kids up for 7:00, home from work to get the kids down at night and head to the gym at 8:00. My favorite trail areas are a run from the Fat Cactus to the Lynn Stone tower and back or around the Fellsway Reservoir; all off trail of course.

My diet could use some more work and am starting to realize that beer does not truly consist of all functional food groups but hey…

This year I retired from rugby after 35 years due to having found OCR, rugby will be missed but I think this sport and community has got so much more to offer at this time of my life.

  • Were you always athletic? If not, what athletic changes have you made to keep up the obstacle course race lifestyle?:

I have always been athletic to some extent but it had become more social arm curls than active competition. You need to have an all round fitness and strength to enjoy and compete in OCR which means you have to have a variety of training styles so it is always kept interesting. It pushes you to be more outdoors and with the elements which is a huge plus in my books.

  • Who, alive or dead, would you invite to run an obstacle course race with you?:

Dead people don’t run fast, are very messy and would have to carry them all the way so they are out.

I am looking forward to doing a full OCR with my kids, I have pushed them around in the buggy for months as I trained, my oldest has done the kids event and it would just be great to be doing this with them.

Fictionally it would be Russell Crowe dressed as Gladiator just so I could kick his arse.

  • Tell us a fun fact about yourself that we may not know!:

I do a Haka at the finish line of each event and boy does it freak them all out.

I’m a Kiwi not an Aussie, unless I have had to many beers and about to get upto mischief…then I’m an Aussie.

  • What are your goals? Next race, next season … what’s in your future?:

This year to do an OCR event each month and move from a completer to a competitor. Have a Spartan Season pass for 2013 so goal is to be in the top 300 at the end…Yoda says he see’s many more burpee’s in my future unless I can conqure that damn traverse wall.