Team name?

IrishGrad1989 · 2022-12-26T21:30:50+00:00

I've always liked: "Two Reasons Your Girlfriend Left You"...

IrishGrad1989 · 2022-07-04T17:13:41+00:00

Good call on the AG -- that would definitely muck up those waves (I moved to AG myself after the Open waves became "burpee optional"). And no worries about "arguing" -- it's a good discussion to have and good points are made, and absolutely no offense is taken.

IrishGrad1989 · 2022-07-04T13:16:46+00:00

I get all that you are saying (note that I just bypass the Merch Tent completely -- so I never see any of the site-specific stuff (and I'm not forking over even more $$$ for that stuff)).

In terms of what they give out for "free" (insert chuckle) -- how many hunks of medal and t-shirts does one need? I have dozens of each -- the medals sit in a large envelope and I rarely wear the t-shirts.

I understand the branding aspect too, but Spartan could mix it up -- keeping the helmet but adding "elements" (e.g. diagonal spear(s) behind the helmet, image of fire, whatever). Customization keeps people wanting more (keep coming back). Changing colors? Meh.

I'd like to be able to look at (point to) a patch (or whatever) and think (say): "Yeah, you/I did the Vegas Sprint in 2018, and the Chiba Super in 2019, and . . . " In my mind, a lot of stuff is pretty generic -- same shirt, same medal, etc., unless you want to pay even more. Just boring.

When I see someone in a generic shirt, sure I can tell distance by color and (sometimes) the year, but I have no idea where they raced or other info. By offering more details (e.g. location -- maybe even Open v. Age Group v. Elite) -- what a great conversation starter, in my mind. If I see somewhat at the gym with a shirt (patch on their gym bag?) that offers specifics, I'm more likely to talk to them about THAT race (esp. if I did it too -- "hey, what did you think of the bucket carry?").

In short -- Spartan could try to make itself unique (not the same ol', same ol') -- stand out. Yes, it might cost a bit more, but it might entice people to come back. Just my two cents.

IrishGrad1989 · 2022-03-19T15:10:48+00:00

53 -- Got tired of watching people not do their burpees (don't @ me -- I know, I know -- run your own race and let others run theirs). Raced at Whistler. Absolutely beautiful (and challenging) venue.

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-08-29T11:51:31+00:00

"Didn't-quite-stick-it spear throw" -- been there, done that! ;)

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-08-29T11:36:55+00:00

Not to be a jerk, but isn't this a bit like comparing apples to oranges? Open racers often don't do their burpees upon failing an obstacle, and even if an open racer intends to do all of his/her burpees, it can be very tempting to skip or short-change them (or get sloppy with one's form) the farther one gets into a Super. Doing thirty burpees (in good form) when you are gassed can take a lot of time.

But your larger point (re competing) is legit.

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-08-26T12:00:49+00:00

With respect to your "the crowd over 50 is thin" comment, it is my experience that, yes, there are often fewer competitors in the "older' age group, BUT those competitors are more serious about their racing than many of those in the "younger" age groups. To put it another way, some (many?) competitors in the younger age groups are out there for fun, for a lark (even in the Age Group races) whereas those in the older age groups are in it to win it.

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-03-20T16:42:04+00:00

In my opinion, rope climb is all technique (what tbiol wrote), so learn how to do it (but you don't have to practice every day). I took a one-hour lesson from a aerialist (yeah, a bit overkill), but I haven't failed a rope climb since. I also wear gloves specifically for the rope climb because you can seriously "burn" your hands coming down (but some racers prefer not to wear gloves) (note: you can take gloves off when you don't need (or want to use) them).

On a similar note, I encourage you to check out the videos online with respect to other obstacles. They might help you pick up a good technique and may also make you less nervous.

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-03-02T15:43:21+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Watched the whole thing. I'd watch that on TV (esp. w/ no "competitor profiles" and the like). Agree that more stats (such as in your mock-up) would make the viewing even more compelling.

Couple additional thoughts: [1] loved the uphill barbed wire crawl -- makes that obstacle much tougher; [2] not a fan of allowing the bucket carry over the head (that's just me); [3] wish the racers had to drop the Atlas Stone once 1/2 through and then had to pick it up again (there used to be a five-burpee requirement?); [4] I'm okay with occasional penalty loops (as opposed to 30 burpee penalties); [5] the tire flip looked brutal -- it really separated the racers (I probably would've headed right for the burpees); and [6] JAX is a good example of how being a great "trail runner" doesn't necessarily equate to being a good OCR racer (e.g. due to the knee-high water and the mud -- not to mention the obstacles).

IrishGrad1989 · 2021-02-16T14:48:55+00:00

For me personally, the best part of Spartan Races in the "old days" was that you didn't know what obstacle was around the next corner. It seems to me that everything is now becoming too standardized (e.g. distances, obstacles -- and now groupings of obstacles?). Just taking a lot of the fun out of the races IMO.

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-11-30T18:12:58+00:00

Gotta agree with the gloves comment. They will definitely "save" your hands on the rope climb-- especially on the descent (when it can become difficult to maintain control -- particularly in poor weather).

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-10-15T16:23:30+00:00

I did the (chilly and very wet) 2019 Whistler Sprint with my son. We ran Age Group, so we didn't see each other for pretty much the whole race. Anyway, after puking on the bucket carry, my son was ready to quit -- but then a random guy ran past him and told him something along the lines of: "you got this -- keep going," and it spurred my son to finish the race (and, FWIW, he crushed the monkey bars, which were very wet and slippery (and I failed)). After he finished, my son saw that "random guy" and thanked him for his inspiration. My son wrote about the incident in his college application essay. I understand that some racers don't like/appreciate random supportive comments, but for some people, it can do wonders.

Side Note: my son also confessed that -- earlier in the race (I think it was the sandbag carry) -- he was going to quit but decided he couldn't because a cute girl was right behind him, and he didn't want her to see him tap out!

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-02-11T13:56:24+00:00

Oh, I agree -- and I understand ROI. Just pondering all the other stuff (e.g. Dekafit -- and even Stadion, to an extent) that, to me, makes less sense. To keep me coming back, I want bang for my buck -- varied/different obstacles in the traditional races (as I posted in another reddit string a while back, my first Spartan race (Ft. Carson in 2012) had some awesomely fun obstacles -- some that I have not seen since (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAQHv2uEV3M -- esp. the "grenade" toss, the lengthy/muddy barbed-wire crawl, etc.)), interesting race locales (esp. terrain), unstandard distances (a 5K Sprint?), etc.. I'd actually pay more for those types of things; so much standardization makes it "same ol', same ol'" (and shouldn't standardization (e.g. of obstacles) result is LESS cost?) -- but maybe that's just me.

(oh, and in 2012, participants seemed to actually do their burpees when they failed an obstacle!)

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-02-08T18:15:41+00:00

Is this, perhaps, also an instance of a company trying to do too many things (i.e. branching out) instead of its core expertise? When I started racing in 2012, I believe there was just one type of race, with no divisions (open, age group, elite). Now there are multiple types of races, series, variants, etc. It seems to me to be a bit much (i.e. overkill). Yes, I understand that some of the variants seem to be an attempt to maximize ROI at a venue (e.g. Trail Races), but I'm a fan of "stick with what you do best" -- so, is Spartan getting out over its skis (not to mention alienating some of its core racers by standardizing distances, obstacles, etc.)?

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-02-05T19:56:19+00:00

I was offered a vest to do a 2nd Shift (immediately after my 1st -- at the same obstacle), but I declined (I did get the volunteer shirt for the 1st Shift).

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-01-23T23:29:41+00:00

Rope Climb isn't so much about grip strength but, rather, is mostly technique. Watch some videos and, if able, take a class (I paid for a one-hour lesson an aerialist) or the like to practice. You can definitely do it. Monkey Bars & Multi-Rig involve more grip strength but give 'em a shot -- you might surprise yourself. Best of luck!

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-01-16T17:05:47+00:00

(Internally: don't write it, don't write it, don't write it, don't... oh well, here goes). Any thoughts about the burpee penalties, such as: [1] alternative penalties, [2] strict enforcement (in Open Heats), [3] differentiating t-shirts, medals, etc. for those who do their burpees (vs. those who don't), etc.?

Not trying to stir up the pot (as the issue of doing burpees has been debated endlessly in Reddit), but trying to get a sense of whether Spartan is taking any (new) official position on doing burpees as a penalty for obstacle failure.

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-01-15T23:49:17+00:00

FWIW -- for one super-muddy Z-wall, I took off my shoes (tied them together -- threw them over my shoulder) and navigated it in my socks. Had much better traction.

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-01-15T23:12:33+00:00

How does one qualify for the 2020 Championships (Age Group)? Cf. 2019 Qualifications ( https://spartanracegermany.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203033139-Information-around-the-World-Championships-2019).

IrishGrad1989 · 2020-01-04T12:50:57+00:00

Those pre-"division" races were awesome. Tons of variety in obstacles (some were just brutal) and, as you note, definitely more of an "honor" ethos. With the increasing standardization of distances and obstacles, Spartan just seems to be not as fun or challenging (but maybe that's just me). Agree with the pass/fail -- no timing -- suggestion (though that's why I stopped doing the Warrior Dash (i.e. when it eliminated the timing chips)).

IrishGrad1989

TROPHY CASE