Race Date: Saturday September 8th, 2012
Race Name: Tri-State Super Spartan
Race Price: $107.81
Race Description: Obstacle race up, down and across the mountain at Mountain Creek
Race Location: Mountain Creek Waterpark, 200 Route 94, Vernon, New Jersey 07462
Race Distance: 11 miles
Distance Traveled: 54.4 miles
Race Time: 11:00am
Weather: Mostly s
unny
Swag: Shirt, Beer, Finisher Medal
Food & Drink: Water, Zico Coconut Water, Bananas
Number of Participants: 4230
Results: http://www.spartanrace.com/spartan-race-results-2012.php#raceid=215776&gender=A&page=1&courseid=315976
My Results
Time: 3:27:22
Pace: 25:55
Place: 468 of 4230
Men: 412 of 3002
Men (Age 30-34): 67 of 669
Personal Race Info
Pre-Run: Water + Gatorade + Chia Seeds
During-Run: Water
This race started off bad before I even got there. I had a hard time figuring out the right address to put into my GPS. I thought I got the right one and started heading to the race with what I thought was plenty of time. I got near the destination on the gps with an hour to go before the race but realized I had the wrong address in the gps. I used my phone to get me to the right place but it was about 30 minutes from where I was. So I got to the race site but had to park about 2 miles away. The line for the buses was so long that I didn't think I'd make it in time for my race start so I decided to run to the start. So I spent the next 20 minutes or so running down the road. I got there and checked in as quickly as possible. I checked my bag and had about 5 minutes before my race time. This caused a real issue with my pre-race routine and I felt completely lost because of it.
I worked my way up towards the front of the starting pack but not all the way up as I wasn't feeling great about the start. Also forgot to remove my MotoActv but I was hoping I could keep it dry since it's not waterproof. The race started out heading up the mountain and I did my best to keep up a jog for as long as I could. Ended up having to start walking as there was no way I could keep up the pace. First obstacles was the under nets / over small walls which is always easy. From here on out I pretty much jogged downhill and walked uphill.
Other obstacles - Over / under / through walls > log hop > muddy water pits / hills and then...the swim. I tried my best to keep my watch above water but there were 2 times you had to swim under boats. You also had to pull yourself up onto a floating platform which was actually pretty hard. After i got out of the water my watch started acting funny. I was hoping it would keep going. Some higher wall jumps and then a long downhill to a cliff jump. The line was way too long so I decided to skip and do burpees instead. I was starting to feel pretty tired at this point and was really needing some water. Next up was the Hobie Hop which I had never encountered before but you put on a thick band around your ankles and hop over logs and go under ropes. A steep, rocky downhill led to the sandbag carry which hasn't been as hard as I started carrying it on my head. Right after was the tire flip where you had to flip a giant tire 4 times. Then it was back up the mountain.
The climb up the mountain was brutal and then I came upon it. A huge rock covered mountain side covered with some sort of netting. I have never felt sick before from running / climbing but I was feeling it now. I had to stop at each little section and this went on forever. I made it to the top but I was not completely exhausted and really wanted some water / food. Oh did I not mention they only had water on the course and nothing in terms of food. At this point I really was running out of energy. Up next was the cement block drag which isn't hard but annoying at this point. Probably one of the longest drags I've done. Right after was the Herculean Hoist where you lift a heavy block using a rope on a pulley system. An obstacle I used to hate but have since grown to enjoy as I have beaten it most times...the monkey bars. These were a bit different than others in that each one was at a different height. I took my time and made it across feeling accomplished. Some high walls that I used the sides to help me get over and then a brief run before another higher set of walls. Cargo net climb was next and there were people helping to hold down the net at the bottom to help others over. It goes to show how everyone is there to help and not just about getting the best time.
Some more mud pits and I came to an obstacle I've never done before the Tyrolean Traverse. The lines were long and going slow. I got to enjoy watching multiple people complete and fail this obstacle while waiting. I was very happy I was wearing my high compression socks cause crossing the rope was giving people some serious rope burns on their ankles. I've never done anything like this and I was pretty scared I wouldn't complete it. I got on and slowly started working my way across the rope and, after what seemed like forever, hit the bell to complete the obstacle. You still had to drop down into the water and swim to the other side of the lake.
I knew I was getting close to the end cause we came back to the spectator area and to my nemesis...the spear throw! I've never successfully done the obstacle and this time was no different...30 burpees. Right after was another obstacle I've never completed, the Traversal Wall. I slipped after a couple wood blocks and another 30 burpees. I was absolutely spent at this point and really just wanted to finish. Of course it wasn't that easy as next up was the rope climb and I was so glad to make it to the top. I knew I was near the end. The wonderful barbed wire crawl was up next and luckily nowhere near the length it was at Tuxedo. A slow crawl up the mud and rock and finally I saw the finish line. A short jump over the fire and a quick hit from the gladiators and I was done.
I've never felt so tired and defeated after a race before. I was horribly unprepared but it was definitely a learning experience. I got my shirt and medal and rushed to drink some Zico coconut water. Tried to wash myself off as best as possible since I was super dirty. I went to grab my checked bag which took way too long, grabbed some quick food and left as soon as I could. I was so tired I didn't even try to take pictures. Overall this was the hardest thing I had ever done.
