Ottawa Spartan Race (sprint) page

[Patrick]

Hi, all. For anyone interested, I just wrote up a blog post about my experiences participating in yesterday's Spartan Race in Ottawa. (Contains obstacle "spoilers." That said, there's no mention of things that you won't have seen already if you've watched official venue and promo videos.)

Of Mud and Barbed Wire « The Primal Mind

[Digby]

Good on your for getting through that gruelling race! I was very impressed by the clip. I assume your clothes will be infit for future service.

[Patrick]

Actually, I ran my shorts through the shower, hung 'em up for an hour or two and they were good to go. Wore my VFFs straight away after the race after sloshing them through water. I just wore 'em dry on my way to my friend's BBQ after the race.

Today I'm showing some bruises, cuts and scrapes, though. My ribs are scraped, my knees are scraped, my forearms are scraped up, I've got cuts on my lower legs from where my feet came up during some of the barbed wire portions, I've got a bruise on my bicep (no idea how) and my hip. . . . No sunburn, though! Go go Gadget nature's sunscreen (mud)! To be honest, sunburn and dehydration were my biggest concerns with 98 F heat and 95% humidity.

Any Spartan Race events coming to eastern PA, Digby?

[belinda]

Patrick, that's awesome! I think this needs to go as a 'success story'!

[Patrick]

Thanks, Belinda, but I don't feel I'm quite there yet! But soon, I hope.

[Digby]

Any Spartan Race events coming to eastern PA, Digby?

I see there are at least a couple on Sept. 10th; one in Allentown and one up at Blue Mountain in the Poconos (popular ski area, very rough terrain). Come on down! I am in no way in the kind of shape for such a race, but I'd enjoy watching.

[Saoirse]

looks awesome! nice to see so many women in the race as well. i'd love to do something like that someday, minus the heat. i seriously do not take the heat well.

[Coach Palfrey]

Well done Patrick!

[Patrick]

Digby: You'd be surprised! You should find a few others and make a "we're doing this to finish it, not for time" pact with them. That's what Dan and I did. Screw time. Have fun and kick ass. End the day with a face-splitting smile and a beer.

Saoirse: Yeah, there were quite a lot of women, and a lot of all-female teams! Not only a great thing from a feminist/equality standpoint, but damn. . . . Yeah, I'll just leave it at that.

Matthew: Thanks, man! There are some Spartan Race events in the UK. You thinking of hitting any of 'em up?

Here are a few pics of Dan and I. Official photos not up yet and probably won't be for another 3-4 weeks.

Dan & me (pre-stream)
Me (too tired to even try to look photo-friendly)
Me (post-stream)

[SugarBaby]

Is it okay to skip a part you can't do, like hoist oneself up a rope? I have lousy upper body strength. I can walk 50miles, but can't pull up yet.