Spartan Citi

What running around Citi Field is all about

Congratulations to myself for finishing my fourth Spartan Race to date. It's the closest I'll ever get to feeling like Leonidas in "300" so I'll take every chance that I get. I was never aware of anything like this even existed until Groupon made a suggestion for me. If you're unaware of what I am describing, the Spartan race is an obstacle course race that has many different physical challenges that will test your strength, endurance, and physical limits. They have races all over the country with distances that range anywhere from 5K to 100K. The obstacles that are included can range anywhere from carrying 80lbs sandbags to swinging across rings "American Gladiator" style to doing army crawls under barbed wire.

Spartan races are usually done in farther away, woodsy areas of the country. These races are all terrain with different elevations. The weather is always a factor in these races as well, I've had to invest in mud socks and cleated shoes after the first race almost made me lose a Nike running shoe in the mud. These are also areas that must be taken seriously due to risk of injury. No one wants to be caught in the middle of the woods with an ankle sprain waiting for a helicopter to chopper your way out of the woods.

The Spartan Race in Citi Field is a must if you're looking for a way to challenge your physicality in a safe setting. It's also definitely a gateway to joining more challenges in the future. The Citi Field race is a 5K race, which is just above 3 miles. Once you've conquered it, you will inspire yourself to more difficult challenges, whether you are moved by your competitive spirit or meeting with a community of like-minded individuals that share your passion to conquer challenges.

The entire run will have you see every nook and cranny of Mets stadium, from the luxury suite levels to the dugouts. Running up and down bleachers will definitely challenge your leg strength and endurance. Within these runs are 20 different obstacles that will require a 15-burpee deposit to proceed if you're unable to complete the challenge before you. Every muscle group will be tried and tested before you cross that finish line at home plate.

This race is admittedly NOT for the weak of heart. You will challenge not only your body, but your perseverance. There will be moments where you will want to jog instead of run, walk instead of jog, and sit in the bleachers instead of move. This is where your resilience will be built. This is where your growth and change will happen...in real time. When that competitive emotion begins to rise, this is when you will have to listen to your spirit instead of your body.

This race will be painful, but it's All Good Pain. There has not been a Spartan race that I've attended where I did not put in more effort in my workouts after crossing that finish line. Each and every medal hanging on my wall was Earned, Not Given. And after each and every race, there was one feeling that conquered every pain, tear and gasp for air once I finished. This is the same feeling that I know anyone who participates in the future will experience: I Am Proud of Myself!