WHY RUN IN A SPARTAN RACE?
This year, I made it my goal to compete in at least 3 Spartan races. Why? Because I felt it was time that I commit to something that both scared me and excited me at the same time. So – here is a little story about the three races, what I learned, and how I believe I can help you prepare for yours!
My first race was at the Prado Dam in Chino and it was an absolute blast. However, I know it wouldn’t have been had I not spent the 3 months prior training hard, eating right, and focusing on the race ahead. I ended up placing 7th in my age division, but at that point all that mattered was that I had accomplished what I had set out to do! Believe it or not, the hardest obstacle at this race was climbing out of the mud pit. It is almost impossible to do if you don’t get the right momentum from the start!
After Prado, I then competed in the Spartan 10K Big Bear Trail Run. This was a different type of Spartan race in that it was all running (and at some crazy altitudes)! However, it was still just as challenging. Despite the snow, I ended up getting 1st for all females – which was so cool!
Most recently, I ran in Spartan Hawaii with my fiancé, so I ended up just cruising with him most of the time… haha! But it was just as fun and kind of nice to take the race a little slower and enjoy the view.
There are a few things that I learned through these races:
- Increasing your grip strength and being able to do at least a few solid pull-ups will make all the difference. You will earn your caoulluses while training and they will come in handy during the race, trust me.
- Don’t underestimate yourself. Even after all the training, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do many of the obstacles. And while you can’t always know what to expect at a Spartan race (they always change up the obstacles), you can believe in yourself – and that makes all the difference.
- Being a good runner will not make you a good Spartan. I have been a runner my whole life and enjoy it more than any other training, but had I not worked on mobility, resistance training, and upper-body strength – I would have struggled immensely. (Oh, and get used to burpees.)
- Having fun and taking rest days is crucial! Your body needs to recover and your mind needs to rest – just as much as anything else!
- There is nothing like the feeling of finishing your first race – and I am so excited to potentially help you experience that feeling for yourself!
THE LOW-DOWN ON SPARTAN RACES:
There are different levels of Spartan races you can run in and different ways to compete. You can read more using the link below, but I will summarize them for you!
Sprint (offered at Prado):
- 3 miles, 20 different obstacles
Super (offered at Prado):
- 8 miles, 25 different obstacles
Beast:
- 13 miles, 30 different obstacles
Within these three different races you can run as a general racer, or compete as an age group or elite participant. Within age group, you will compete against other people within your age group and be eligible for prizes should you place in top 3. When racing elite, you will be competing not only against your age group, but against all other females who have registered as elite runners. You will also be eligible for prizes within the elite category.
Within both age group and elite, you will only have one chance to complete each obstacle (within their rules). If you do not complete an obstacle you will have to do 30 chest-to-floor burpees… If you don’t know what those are, you will learn 🙂 This is a general outline of the races, we can talk more specific when you decide which one you would like to compete in!
Link to more Spartan race info: Spartan Info
BRITTNEI’S SPARTAN COACHING PLANS:
All training plans include an initial phone call consultation to discuss your current fitness level, reason for running a Spartan race, fears, hopes, and any questions.
Additionally, you can either choose from a 2 month or 3 month training package for each plan below
Please note that I have availability for training on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Should you decide you would like to book one of the below packages, we will discuss our schedules to make sure they line up first!
Lastly, for the duration of the 3 months of training, you will be required to have a general membership at the Lab Fitness studio for $26.99/month. This will provide you with your own personal key to the gym (so you can go at any time), towel service, a refrigerator for storing food/protein drinks, and an individual locker. This membership can be cancelled at any time – no strings attached!
Spartan Plan A: $55/session
- 3 gym training sessions a week with Brittnei:
- Three 55-minute sessions at the Lab Fitness Studio in Orange
- Sweet BrittFit tank to rep as you please
PLUS:
- Once a week long-runs with Brittnei
- Runs will take place either in Villa Park or at Peters Canyon
- Runs will most-likely take place on Saturday/Sunday mornings
- Nutritional plan to follow each week:
- includes details of when to eat each day
- includes a list of foods to choose from for each meal
- includes recipes for protein smoothies and other dietary tips
- Accountability:
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- I will send you personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them.
- If I don’t get a picture/video/something that shows me you completed at least 2 additional workouts on your own each week – you automatically will owe me 20 straight burpees and/or 5 minutes of jump rope at our next training session
- I will also follow you on My Fitness Pal where you will log the foods you eat each day. Once a week I will check in with your fitness pal log to ensure you are following the meal plan and getting the right nutrition – or else… extra burpees!
- I will send you personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them.
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- Spartan details:
- A complete PDF of Spartan rules and expectations for each obstacle, so that on race day you can feel confident of what you may be facing.
- Tips on what to prepare for/wear/bring on race day
- Endless advice from Brittnei!
Cost: (half of either package to be paid upfront, remaining after 4 weeks)
2 months = $1,320.00
3 months =$1,980.00
Spartan Plan B: $60/session
- 2 gym training sessions a week with Brittnei:
- Two 55-minute sessions at the Lab Fitness Studio in Orange
- Sweet BrittFit tank to rep as you please
PLUS:
- Nutritional plan to follow each week:
- includes details of when to eat each day
- includes a list of foods to choose from for each meal
- includes recipes for protein smoothies and other dietary tips
- Accountability:
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- I will send you personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them 🙂
- If I don’t get a picture/video/something that shows me you completed at least 2 additional workouts on your own each week – you automatically will owe me 20 straight burpees and/or 5 minutes of jump rope at our next training session
- I will also follow you on My Fitness Pal where you will log the foods you eat each day. Once a week I will check in with your fitness pal log to ensure you are following the meal plan and getting the right nutrition – or else… extra burpees!
- I will send you personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them 🙂
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- Spartan plan:
- A complete PDF of Spartan rules and expectations for each obstacle, so that on race day you can feel confident of what you may be facing.
- Tips on what to prepare for/wear/bring on race day
- Endless advice from Brittnei!
Cost: (half of either package to be paid upfront, remaining after 4 weeks)
2 months = $960.00
3 months =$1,440.00
Spartan Plan C: $35-$55/session
- 2 gym training sessions a week with Brittnei:
- One 55-minute sessions at the Lab Fitness Studio in Orange
- One 30-minute session at the Lab Fitness Studio in Orange
- Sweet BrittFit tank to rep as you please
PLUS:
- Nutritional plan to follow each week:
- includes details of when to eat each day
- includes a list of foods to choose from for each meal
- includes recipes for protein smoothies and other dietary tips
- Accountability:
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- I will send you a variety of personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them 🙂
- If I don’t get a picture/video/something that shows me you completed at least 2 additional workouts on your own each week – you automatically will owe me 20 straight burpees and/or 5 minutes of jump rope at our next training session
- I will also follow you on My Fitness Pal where you will log the foods you eat each day. Once a week I will check in with your fitness pal log to ensure you are following the meal plan and getting the right nutrition – or else… extra burpees!
- I will send you a variety of personalized private HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos for you to choose from for these. They are all workouts you can do at home for the most part, at a park, or at the gym where we train. Afterwards, you must send me a picture of your beautiful sweaty face so I know you have completed them 🙂
- 2 independent training sessions to perform on your own each week
- Spartan plan:
- A complete PDF of Spartan rules and expectations for each obstacle, so that on race day you can feel confident of what you may be facing.
- Tips on what to prepare for/wear/bring on race day
- Endless advice from Brittnei!
Cost: (half of either package to be paid upfront, remaining after 4 weeks)
2 months = $720.00
3 months = $1,080.00
Discounts:
If you get a friend to sign up with one of these – or any of my other training packages, – I will give you 15% off your Spartan package purchase!
If you post and tag @brittneirae before/after at least one workout a week during the duration of your package – I will give you 2 free 30 minute training sessions for you or a friend once your Spartan race is complete!
Remember, investing in your health is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for yourself. A healthy mind and body bring strength to every other area of our lives. I hope that you choose to experience the amazing benefits of training for your first Spartan race – just like I did. Let’s do this!!
XO,
Brittnei
WSYC 