Shamrock 4 Miler

(Apologies for a very late post)

The weather was quite nice for this race.  I hadn't ran it since 2010 so a few things were different for me.  The course start / finish has been changed. Positive change.  And the Registration area had been moved.  I honestly didn't find it until the START gun went off.  I parked in the same area I had parked 4 years ago, saw runners warming up so I knew I was close.  

The Registration area can actually be accessed inside the Stonecrest shopping center parking lot.  Lots of vendors present.  A very family friendly race.

The course was an out and back and slightly longer than 4 miles (Garmin clocked 4.16).

Because the course was longer my official timing is higher than my actual timing.  There will always be variance in a courses length due to the USATF rules of measuring a course but the variance should be minimal on an out and back. The elevation map looks very hilly but the climbs were actually low grade. Not a bad course this year.

Publix was a sponsor this year (they are moving into the Charlotte area gradually) and the goody bags were actually mini recycle bags.  Nice touch.

I signed up for this race simply to keep me on track towards a goal of 1000 miles for 2014.  I decided after last year's GPX series (very disappointing) that I would not commit to every race in a series after so many mistakes and miscommunications from RFYL.  For 2014 they have once again made some alterations to each series (GPX and Distance) in order to promote more participation.  The races are decent, the management of timing, points, communication and overall acknowledgements for the series lacks a great deal. Thus I may randomly run some of my more favorite races but not with the intent to keep up in either series. Sorry to see the continual conflicts with RFYL.  I missed the CPCC race (Apr 26) but heard that RFYL failed to attach team names correctly to runners who specifically registered as part of a team...some were even registered under opposing teams. Seems the errors never end and the confidence for what should be Charlotte's oldest and best running vendor is dwindling.

I am, however, signed up for two Trail Series this year at Whitewater (River Jam) and in Iredell County (Sweet 13).  Looking forward to breaking in some trail shoes and spending a few weeknights with my running friends!

CHIP TIME:  1:00:22

Spartan Sprint

Aroo!

First Spartan Race.

The Sparta Race Series has a Trifecta.

Sprint (red), Super (blue) and Beast (green).

I have committed to completing the Trifecta in 2014.

Spartan Sprint - ATL GA, March 8th

(Course is built in a beautiful horse park in Conyers GA.  Alicia Keys and Lynyrd Skynyrd both ran this course same day. Lots of mud and wall obstacles but overall a gorgeous site. 4.7 miles total.)

Spartan Super - Wintergreen, VA, August 23rd

(Course is built on a ski slope.  Many actual DNF due to the elevation climb, over 10,000 feet. 6 mile course. Hard core.)

Spartan Beast - Charlotte, NC, October 25th

(Referred to as the Carolinas Beast located in Winnsboro SC. 10-12 mile course, runners are rewarded if they complete the climbing challenges. Fastest times are around 180 minutes.  $25 per person to spectate, $20 if you buy in advance. Not for amateurs.)

My Induction Into the World of Sparta

I weighed 225 the day I showed up for the Spartan Sprint.  I completed all but three obstacles - Vertical Rope climb, Traverse Wall, and the Spear Throw (google them or watch video on youtube). I actually hit the spear target correctly but it didn't "stick". Burpees for me.  The Vertical Rope Climb was a knotted rope about 12 ft up. Your starting point is in 2 feet of mud.  I confess I cannot dead lift 250 lbs (225 + mud and water weight). Burpee penalties are 30 burpees for each incomplete obstacle. I'm up to 65 now (5 for being late to my own HEAT).  The Traverse Wall is difficult regardless of weight but for me personally, weight (rules state - cannot hold on to the top of the wall) made the balancing extremely strenuous.  More burpees for me.

This is me AFTER being hosed down!  Do not be deceived by the "we have showers at location".  NOT!  It is a massive collection of hose pipes and you learn the buddy system real quick. And oh, lest you are still positive minded, there is no hot water. NaDa.  They do provide heated tents for clothes changing, separate tents by gender. Very 'grass roots'.

The final two obstacles of the GA Sprint are the Barbed Wire Mud Crawl and the Gladiators.  I am providing pictures. No explanation needed. 

Aroo!