Gulf Coast Spartan Sprint!

After several months I finally was able to compete in another race. This one was a shorter (and much muddier) version of the Spartan race I ran earlier this year in January. Located in Perkinson, MS, the Spartan Sprint was an obstacle course mud run, comprised of mud pits, taller-than-me-sized hay bales, rope climbs, fire, barbed wire, and streams.

I was pretty pumped for this race but almost did not go because I did not feel comfortable travelling such a far distance by myself; however, in the end I was not alone and ran the course with two individuals from my current duty station---one whom I had befriended in boot camp.

The way sign-ups went we ended up signing up for the competitive heat that began and 8am and kicked off the entire Spartan event. 8am was the most convenient time and while I was a little nervous at first for signing up for a competitive heat, it ended up being quite awesome.

Post-run! Bruised, bloody, and muddy!

Course was a total of 4.2 miles, and started off right away with a fire jump---right into a pit of water. Unlike San Diego, the terrain in Mississippi was much more muddy and slick and I even found myself at one point SWIMMING in a mud pit. I was so buoyant that I cannot really describe any other time I literally felt like I was floating. It was nothing like being in a pool! Any distance between obstacles was ran on flat terrain and very little of the course required hiking. There were several variations of rope climbs and a very vertical one towards the end of the course. Unlike January, I was unable to climb the vertical rope climb and it was pretty disappointing. Next time my #1 goal is to complete the rope climb. I HAVE to.

I definitely am hooked on Spartan runs now and plan on attending as many as I can if I happen to be in the area. One day, I'd love to compete in the Spartan Death race. First, maybe I should work on my plain ol' backpacking skills first!