Is Spartan Race really that Hard?

Before my first Spartan Race, I was not ready and definitely overweight. Surprisingly the following tips have made the race easier than I anticipated.

Obstacle races are meant to be challenging for all participates. Beginners find it challenging to keep up with the tough obstacles and reach the finish line. While top athletes have a hard time competing at full speed. However, here's how it can become more manageable.

If you're searching for the best shoes to wear for a Spartan Race and expecting to find a real review from a real runner. Check out this list I created of the top OCR footwear.

The Spartan Race tag line is “You’ll know at the finish line,” and this means they won't tell you in advance how difficult the race will be.

The only thing we are sure is the approximative distance (could vary, depending on the location) and the approximative amount of obstacles.

What is the difference between a Spartan Sprint, Super, and Beast?

• Spartan Sprint and Stadion: 3+ miles with 20-23 obstacles
• Spartan Super: 8+ miles with 24-29 obstacles
• Spartan Beast: 13+ miles with 30-35 obstacles

Looking at those number you can expect anything but an easy run. The Spartan Super is the "easiest" race, and the Beast is the hardest Spartan Race.

A spartan race is hard, especially if you are a beginner

For your first obstacle race, don't think of it as a race, focus on having fun, and reaching the finish line.

It's not going to be easy, and it will surely test your physical and mental strength. However, if you keep a positive attitude and be in the moment, you'll have a good time.

You might doubt your ability to complete certain obstacles, but you have to try them all. Some obstacle might look scary, but everyone with enough determination can do it. Just imagine the incredible story you'll have to share next Monday at work.

Also, wait until you complete the course before you choose if obstacle racing is for you. Don't compare yourself to the people faster than you, but think about all the people who wouldn't dare to try something like your doing. You'll notice that not everyone is a top athlete and most of the runners are there to have fun.

Even if the race is hard, you'll be proud of yourself when you receive the finisher medal.

What kind of obstacles are in the Spartan race?

During a Spartan Race, you'll find two major categories of obstacles. First, there are the climbing obstacles such as walls, ladder, hurdles, rope, cargo net. Then there are the strength obstacles such as carrying heavy objects or the monkey bars.

Can you skip obstacles in Spartan Race?

You can't skip obstacles, without getting a 30 burpees penalty.

There are 3 types of obstacles during a Spartan Race, the single attempt, the multiple attempts and the mandatory. If you skip or fail an obstacle, you'll have to do the 30 burpees punishment. However, if you can't complete the mandatory obstacles, you'll get disqualified. But don't worry, those obstacles can be done by everyone (ex: The Barbwire Crawl).

For more information, I recommend this guide I create that explain all the obstacles you'll encounter during a Spartan Race.

You'll find the race easier if you run with friends

Having someone by your side for this adventure can make a significant impact on your motivation and grit. You'll be able to share the good and the bad that you'll face during the race. It will make the difficult stuff more bearable. Plus, you'll have someone to help you with to climb over the obstacles.

On the other hand, if you are running solo as I do, you'll meet plenty of people in the same situation as you. Since most participants are not running to win the race or break a personal record, you'll find that many will enjoy fellowship.

During an obstacle race, I can talk to 5 or 6 different people on the course. They are running at the same pace as I am, and that's why we see each other for almost the entire race. Everyone I have asked agrees that small talk during such events makes the race easier.

It will be more challenging if you are out of shape

Sure, if you never train or do sport before, an obstacle race will be hard. However, it's not impossible, and many people had proved it.

Last year, I did the Mud Hero 5k (3.1 miles) with a friend who never did an obstacle race before. Moreover, he never trains, was out of shape and smoking a full pack of cigarette a day (He even smoke one in the parking lot, before the race). Surprisingly, he was able to finish the course without stopping, and he completes all the obstacle. He is not the only person, who's out of shape and running in a mud run or obstacle race.

Many overweight peoples had completed a Spartan race. Being overweight or too old is not an excuse.

I have great admiration for unfit people who have the courage the signup for a Spartan Race. Because it's easy to run an obstacle race when you are ultra-fit. On the other hand, the 300 pounds runner has to work a lot harder to reach the same finish line.

If you feel like you are out of shape, it's not too late to start a proper pre-race diet and begin training. Every action that you take will have a positive impact on your upcoming race.

The race will be easier if you eat clean food before the race

The level of energy store into your muscles play a critical role on race day. The food you'll eat will provide the energy needed to complete the race, but if you fail to fill up the tank before the race, you might not have enough fuel to reach the finish line.

Therefore, you should start eating clean food at least 2 days before the race. Also, you must drink enough water to keep your body fully hydrated.

On the morning of the race, you need to eat the minimum amount of food that will produce the maximum of energy. The goal is not showing up on the starting line with an overload belly. Eat only easy-to-digest food such as oatmeal, whole grain bagel, fruits, greek yogurt, walnuts, with lots of water.

During the race, you'll need to refuel your energy tank, and don't expect to find food on the course. I would recommend you bring 2 or 3 sports gels and 1 protein bar. Also, make sure the race has water stations along the course, otherwise bring your water in a hydration pack. A hydration pack is much more comfortable to carry than a water belt.

For more information on pre-race nutrition, take a look this article I wrote on what to eat before a Spartan Race.

It's easier if you train correctly for obstacle racing!

Obstacle races, such as Spartan Race and Tough Mudder are called "races," but they involve more strength and agility challenges than actual running. The obstacles required upper body strength and lots of grips.

Your training must include exercises such as pull-up, which work on your upper body strength and grip simultaneously. A full body workout is more effective training than just weight lifting. Lots of big muscled guys are struggling on the course because they fail to train their entire body.

Train outside your typical gym

Most regular gyms are composed of the same equipment; all-in-one machines, treadmills, ellipticals, bench press, and dumbbells. The type of workout with such materials is over-organized, and the movement perform are too controlled.

Obstacle race is everything but predictable, and events, such as Spartan Race are excellent at putting the unexpected into their race.

Your training schedule should include a mixture of exercises in a variety of environments. Therefore, you could join a CrossFit gym, go rock climbing, take a yoga class and workout outside. The more your training will be unusual; the less painful your upcoming Spartan Race will be.

Make your training sessions a little bit weird

During an obstacle race, you'll perform all kinds of movements, punctuate with lots of running. Accordingly, you could carry a bucket filled with heavy rocks, do burpees or squats and then go for a run.

During your runs, stop at your local parks and use the playground equipment. Check for obstacles to traverse, like monkey bars, climbing wall, or even benches. Find heavy rocks to lift, wall to climbs or use the tree branches to do pull-ups. Whatever you can use to train strength and endurance will be okay.

For more information on training, check out this article I created on how to train for a Spartan Race.

It's easier if you can run the distance!

No matter how easy it is for you to lift weights, if you never run the distance before, you'll find the race hard. Every obstacle race, include lots of running in various condition. Sometimes it's on a trail, in the sand, mud or uphill in a ski resort.

If it's your first obstacle race, you'll probably/hopefully doing a 5k (3.1 miles). Therefore, you should try to cover this distance by running or walking before the big day. You'll be more confident about your capabilities, your muscles will get used to cover such length, and during the race, you'll be able to focus on the obstacles. This will translate into a much better experience.

Can you walk a 5k without training?

In every obstacle races, almost everyone walks at some point, and some people walk the whole race. However, if you didn't train before the event, your legs might find it difficult to finish the race. Every training sessions, big or small, before the competition is helpful. It can be running, but also walking or hiking.

Find a hill to train

Every Spartan Race I've done were held in a ski resort, and the course includes some nasty hills to climb. Most of the courses were on ski slopes. However, we did go into the wood and crawl through the large boulders. The hills even become steps at some point, and I can remember peoples on the side of the trail gasping for air or battling leg cramps.

It's fair to say that the hills are one of the hardest obstacles during a Spartan Race. Consequently, you should train your legs to endure such activities.

Find the most prominent hill where you can run, walk or hike. Include it in your workout routine, and the hills will feel less painful during the race.

You'll find the race challenging if you are not used to extended training

During an obstacle race, you'll be on the move for a long time, and your overall endurance will be tested. As you progress into the race, the obstacles become more difficult, because your muscles get tired.

Therefore, you should work on stamina, and include extended training sessions in your schedule. The goal is to train for the same period you'll be on the course. Just like I advise training for the distance.

Evaluate approximately the time you'll be on the course, and do intense physical activities for the same period. It can be running, biking, climbing, crawling, jumping, or a combination.

How long is the Spartan race?

A fair evaluation would be 2 hours for the Sprint, 4.5 hours for the Super and 6 hours for the Beast. However, every obstacle course is different, and each participant is at separate fitness levels. Therefore, It's hard to know exactly how long you'll be on the course.

First, you must accept that it will take you more time than you think. For example, if you can run 3 miles in 40 minutes, you can expect to double that time for a Spartan Sprint. Because, you have to count the obstacles, the waiting line at the obstacles, the hill, the climbing, etc. That's why you can't evaluate the time by only considering the distance.

Is there a time limit for Spartan Race?

There's no time limit for the race, but they have a cutoff time at the end of the day. Mainly for security reasons, they can have you still on the course at night so they will stop the race after a certain hour.

Start your race early in the day, and you'll have a more extended period to finish. For example, if you start at 9 AM and the cutoff time is 7 PM, you'll have 10 hours to complete the race.

The race is easier if you are comfortable being uncomfortable

Let's be real; you signed up for something challenging. A Spartan Race is no joke; you'll push yourself to the limits by jumping over the obstacle, crawling in the mud and climbing mountains. This won't come without discomfort and pain.

To make the race more manageable, you must learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

I recommend running in water or sand, taking cold showers and join a training class that is way above your fitness level. Anything you can do get out of the comfort zone.

It will be more challenging if you don't wear proper clothing

During an obstacle race, you'll be covered with mud, and your feet will be soaked after the first 30 minutes. Everything that you wear will become bulky and loose because of the water. Especially any clothing made of cotton.

Also, the biggest mistake I see people doing during an obstacle race is showing up at the starting line with old worn out clothes. The race as enough obstacles that you don't need your clothes to become a problem.

Get a good pair of trail running shoes

The most essential pieces of equipment you need to wear is a proper trail running shoes. Your old sneaker won't have enough traction on the slippery obstacles, and you might lose them at the bottom of the first mud puddle you run into.

I wear Salomon Speed Cross and climb every obstacle like a ninja. At, the end of the race, I rinse them with the garden hose, and they are good as new. I can wear the same pair of shoes for more than 20 races, plus hundreds of hours of training, before feeling the need to change them.

For more information on the best shoes for a Spartan Race, check out this complete review I have created about my favorite trail running shoes.

Wear sport clothing

Same advise goes with the rest of your outfit. Wear clothes made of breathable fabric that won't hold the water and will dry fast. Choose body fit clothing that won’t get snagged in the barbwire. Wearing compression shorts or leggings and a long sleeve shirt will significantly improve your racing experience.

For more information on clothing, check out this complete guide I created on what to wear for an obstacle race.

It's easier if you have realistic intentions

The competitive people, who think they must finish first to win the race, are the one who suffers more.

You are probably not going to win your next obstacle race, and it's okay. Except for the 10 shirtless athletes in the front row of the starting line, no one as the intention of winning the race.

If you want to compete, do it with your self, and try to beat the person you were yesterday. Every day I try to be better than the day before. Every race, I try to achieve something new. It can be a new race format, completing a specific obstacle (Monkey bars, I will get you this time!), or beating last year time. You don't have to prove anything to anyone other than your self.

If you want to give a goal or a meaning to your race, it's up to you. The only person I try to impress is my self. Because with every medal I bring home, I create more memories. Therefore, when I am too old to walk, I won't regret using my legs when I had the chance.

If you intend to cross the finish line on your feet, and you don't look at your watch, you are going in with clear and realistic intention. The race will be more pleasant.

Conclusion

The hardest part is to pull the trigger and sign for the darn race.

Don't stay in the uncertain stage for too long. Wondering if you have what it take to do the race or not. Face your fear, sign up for the race and start training tomorrow.

At the end of the day, you'll find a new version of yourself. A more confident and more fit version.

You got this!

P.S. If you're searching for the best shoes for a Spartan Race and hoping to get genuine advice from a real runner. You should check out this list I created of the top Spartan Race shoes.

I have picked these running shoes because I'd used them in different obstacle races and mud runs. Plus, I'd confirmed my selection with my fellow OCR runners. With all their insights and my own experience, I've built this list of the top obstacle racing footwear.

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