Reebok Spartan Super Sprint Miller Park Race Report
I did something I thought I would never do this Saturday – I got my hair cut I ran a Spartan race.
Obstacle races have never been on my radar. Trail races with natural obstacles? Yes! But not man-made obstacle races. It seems too dangerous. I am a super klutz and worry that I will hurt myself.
So how the hell did I end up signed up for this thing? Well, a bunch of people from my multisport club decided to do it because there was a FREE race code! I thought if I was ever going to try it, free would be the time! Ha ha. I don’t think I would ever pay $150 to do a 5K obstacle race – that’s just too much money.
Anyway. I liked that this one was mostly indoors, inside Miller Park in Milwaukee. It seemed safer than being outside, probably because they didn’t bring in mud and barbed wire, etc. And it actually was a super cool way to tour the baseball stadium! We ran all over the hallways, through the bleachers, on the field (not on the grass, gasp!, stay off the grass!!!), in the player’s locker room, and in some of the parking lot.
I didn’t research the obstacles for the race or really train “specifically” for it. I just did my normal running and strength training, and asked my buddies who had done it before what to expect. It was nice to do this race with friends, and not have to stress about logistics!
Anyway, it’s been two days and I am still not sure what I think about the race. My overall feelings, I mean. I thought it was well organized. The volunteers were fantastic. There was a lot of variety in what we were doing. There were so many different, passionate people there participating. It was fun to watch. We started early enough that we didn’t have to wait in line to do the obstacles. It’s really expensive (if you pay). You get a medal and a cotton tee. You get a glass of water and a banana when you finish. You can pay for other food and merchandise.
But the race? Gosh. I am just not sure if it was “my” thing. Of course, it doesn’t help I was being cautious, since I have a marathon coming up and my left leg has been a bit weird lately. I definitely took the race easy rather than going “all out.”
I just never got super jazzed, I guess. Or thought “I love this! I have to do this again!” I felt proud when I got over walls (with the help of my buddies Dawn and Kelly!), and carried heavy crap around*, and when I finished. I liked climbing the net wall, the rowing machine, and a few other things. But most of the other stuff? Eh.
And I don’t mean to be negative. It was really well organized, like I said. And such a fun atmosphere – music, showing live video of racers on the big screen over the field… and then the racers themselves. Wow. Some people are so in to this, and I just love seeing that. Seeing someone be passionate about their thing. The workout that gets them going. This one just wasn’t mine! I think it was fun to try, but I am probably a one and done.
*It especially cracked me up that women got such lighter weights. Ha ha ha.
Themocracy
Yeah, I’ve done a couple obstacle course races (not a Spartan) but like you, there’s just not my gig. Fun yes, but I’m always so worried about getting hurt doing something stupid… and then heaven forbid, take myself out of a marathon!! I LOVE Miller Park though!! That would be a cool venue, I would think…
Ha ha ha. Maybe we are just too big of worry warts!
I did think it was SUPER cool it was at a stadium!
I have never done an obstacle race due to the mere fact that I am really klutzy. I don’t think your being negative at all if you didn’t enjoy the obstacle course. Hope your leg gets better soon.
It’s not my thing either. It’s probably funner in mud but it’s still not something I would do esp for $150. Nor will I promote it for nothing on my blog either. ( they asked me a bunch of times)
I’m not sure I’d say it’s my “thing” either….after doing the Super Spartan (8 1/2 miles) in July, I was hesitant about signing up again because I knew how hard the first one was…but I thought ‘hey, this one’s ONLY 3 miles…and indoors” (and I got a free entry too due to THE RASH)! And even though it may not be my “thing”, I like the challenge…esp at my ‘advanced’ age! haha (I think the median age for these things is 20-30’s)! I certainly wouldn’t do these races alone….I like the team, the camaradrie, the encouragement. As this isn’t your “thing” Kim, I’m honored that I got to do this one with you!
That is interesting! I totally thought it was your “thing”! Ha, I feel like I should write “thang,” because that sounds like how we would say it! 🙂
You know, I might just not be up for the challenge, and that might be my problem. I don’t like my races to be challenging, unless they are 5Ks. And I still don’t “like” it 😉
I am so happy I got to do it with you and Kelly! It was promoted to me as a team thing and I think it would have really sucked had I been on my own! Thanks for letting me trail you and all your help!
I was actually excited to do my first adventure race June and then totally disappointed after. The race I did was so unorganized and many of the obstacles seemed dangerous. So at least you didn’t have that experience. And to each his own. I’m sure a lot of the adventure racers would say that the things you like better, like marathons and ultras, are not their cup of tea.
Aww, man! I am sorry that happened to you!
Oh yeah, and I totally know that there is a whole group of people who like this way better than a boring ole road race 😉
I would be terrified of getting injured at that thing, but at least it would have been cool to be on a major league ball field.
Yes. I am terrified of getting injured at something like this.
I’m glad you had a good time and didnt get injured 🙂 that’s awesome it was indoors.
I’ve never done one either – injury worries + overpriced, IMO. I am registered for a Spartan in Indiana in April because I won an entry/want to have fun next year. However, part of me feels like DNS’ing. We’ll see.
LOL. I almost DNSed a lot of times. I just didn’t want to do it. It was nice to do it with a bunch of people though! And go out to eat, after.
I’ve only done one obstacle/mud race. I thought it sounded fun (and it was fun) and something I could talk Joey into doing with me (he did!). I agree though that I worry about injuring myself. I’m happy that a lot of other people enjoy them and whatnot but I don’t think they are my ‘thing’ either.
I think running for you is a more meditative experience where you just want to zone out or chat with friends. Not have it broken up with all those forced obstacles, right? Maybe that’s why you didn’t feel like it was your thing.
I think it’s good that you tried one. It’s one thing to say “it’s not my thing” having never tried one and it’s another do it and still feel that way! Kudos to you for having an open mind and I’m very happy you didn’t get hurt for your big race this coming weekend!
Thanks! I am grateful I had the opportunity to try it! So many people diss the themed races – color, glow, muddy, whatever… without even doing them and it seems like they forget that some people are super passionate about them, and that is really cool! To each their own! It would be boring if we all liked the same thing!
Wow that’s insanely expensive!
$150 and you only get a cotton t??? Wow..no way would I sign up.
Depends on when you sign up–the earlier you sign, the cheaper it is. You also get a rebate if your team is big enough. I understand that some of the other Spartans are less expensive too–I guess it depends on the venue. You get a t-shirt, one of those rubber wristbands, a free beer (which Miller Park didn’t accept, unfortunately) and a medal for finishing–there’s a bar code thing too–I just haven’t figured out what it is yet. I think it’s a chance for a free registration.
I like to be challenged, too. I’ve done a couple obstacle races that were just meh – but others were pretty great! Depends on the race I guess. 🙂
My gym friends totally less than three these races and sport the shirts like they are just as hard as a half or full marathon.
At least it was an experience!
You know, I still think the hardest race I did was a snowshoe 5K, so, I think some of these could be that hard! It’s all about perspective 😉
There are half and full marathon length Spartans too.
Obstacle races aren’t my thing, either. Glad you were able to try one though, especially for free!
They didn’t even give you a whole bottle of water?! WTF!
I’m with you – these races aren’t my thing, either, but I suppose free is free! At least you gave it the old college try!
I’ve wanted to at least try one of these obstacle races at some point, but the timing is never good and I’m always afraid I’ll hurt myself. I am the most injury/accident prone person I know. I even gave away one of these races on my blog earlier in the year and could have gotten a free entry for myself, but there wasn’t one very close to home.
I think it’s ok not to love it. There are different things for different people. The important thing is that if this gets people out and active, well that’s great!
Cheryl was just telling me about her experiences on Saturday. She said that overall she had a good time, but I think she shares the same thoughts of feeling kind of meh about it, but participating because it was free. And to be honest, some of the obstacles she was describing sound just terrible to me. It also sounded a lot more hardcore than other obstacle races I’ve heard about (Bob and his friend do the Muddy Buddy each year, and it sounds like that one really is just for fun – no one seems to care how well you actually do the obstacles, or if you even finish them, which is not quite what Cheryl described). It’s just not for me.
That’s cool that you tried one, even if you have kind of mixed feelings about it. They seem so expensive! I guess it’s not for me, but then again, I haven’t tried one. Does it bother you to have your time “slowed down” by the obstacles even if you know you aren’t running the distance for a PR?
It didn’t bother me at all. But I was like, “are we done yet?!” LOL