Spartan Race: My First Beast – How I Did It

Participating in the Spartan Race Beast was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. As a personal trainer and nutrition consultant, I decided to share my experience of this challenging race to inspire others to push themselves beyond their own limits. Let’s take a look at what steps led to my successful completion of the Spartan Race Beast.

Preparing for the Race

1. Setting Goals and Training Plan

I had originally bought the Super race and said I wouldn’t do the Beast until next year. But then I figured there was no reason to wait, and decided to give it a shot now. I wanted to not only finish the race, but also enjoy it and overcome all the obstacles. I created a training plan that included:

Cardio training: long distance running to increase endurance. Running training proved to be key – in my case, I hadn’t run enough, which manifested itself in leg fatigue after 10km.
Strength training: focusing on the whole body, especially the upper half for overcoming obstacles.
Functional training: training focusing on movement skills and flexibility.

2. Nutrition and Hydration

During the preparation I put emphasis on proper nutrition. The diet was rich in protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Hydration was also important, so I drank plenty of water and isotonic drinks. Using sports gels was very important to me as they provided a quick energy replenishment during the race.

Race Day
The race was held in Bedrichov, which was a beautiful location. The beautiful nature and surrounding countryside created an amazing environment for such a challenging race.

1. Mental Preparation
Before the race, I focused on visualizing success. I imagined overcoming each obstacle and finishing the race. This mental training gave me confidence and calmness.

2. Start and First Miles
At the start of the race I kept my pace and didn’t let the crowd get me down. It was important to save my energy for the later stages of the race, which were the most challenging.

3. Obstacles and Strategies

Each obstacle required a different strategy. For example, for the rope climb, I focused on proper technique and breathing. With each obstacle, I reminded myself that it was a challenge I was training to overcome.

4. Running on “Morale”

After 20 km I finally knew what it means to do sports on “moral”. I had really had enough, but I knew that I still had a lot of obstacles to face at the end. This moment was crucial for my mental resilience and ability to keep going despite exhaustion.

5. Support and Community

My first Spartan Race Beast was also about support from other racers. It was great to feel that I wasn’t alone on the course and we encouraged each other, which gave me the motivation to keep going.

After the Race

1. Recovery and Rest

After the race I focused on recovery. I started light stretching and replenishing fluids and nutrients. Rest was key to regaining energy and preventing injury.

2. Reflection and Planning for Next Challenges

The successful completion of the Spartan Race Beast has motivated me to reflect on my next goals. I am planning other races and challenges that will help me grow both physically and mentally. The emotion after finishing was the biggest reward for me.

Conclusion

Spartan Race Beast is a challenging but extremely rewarding experience. Preparation, strategy and support are key factors for success. If you choose to face this challenge, remember that it’s not just about physical strength, but also about mentality and determination. Every obstacle you overcome moves you one step closer to your goal. I am proud to have completed this race and I believe you can do it too!

Vladimir Veverka
Personal trainer and nutrition advisor