Jan 11th, 2014. The perfect day for 300 burpees and what felt like forever planks. It was 7:00 am when I walked to the registration table to volunteer. People in workout gear were lining up getting ready for the intense Spartan Race two-hour workout. Some came to the table in sports bras and Spartan headbands from previous races; others in t-shirts and workout pants anticipating a new type of workout. Everyone was equally excited to have the opportunity to complete an intense workout with the #1 MMA Welterwight Contender, Johny Hendricks and the Special Forces team in Tampa, Florida.
The day started with plenty of jumping jacks for a warm up. The track around the football field was not just for the running that the workout participants were about to do; it was also for tire flips and climbing over a wall in between the running. As I watched everyone do burpees, crab walks and bear crawls down the entire football field, I decided to try a tire flip that was set up. I was in jeans and ripped my pants! (It was worth it and I am a Spartan, so it’s all good!). Others were doing the tire flip during water breaks. One of the guys did over 150 tire flips! People were taking pictures with the fighters from the UFC Gym from Clearwater, Florida. Although this workout was a tiring one, everyone was having great time. There were people from all over the Tampa Bay area in one place. Some people even brought their kids!
Fifteen minutes before the end of the workout, I was asked to sing the National Anthem when the workout was completed. Honored to sing for our country through Spartan Race, I watched the workout from the top of the bleachers and finally met Joe DeSena, the founder of Spartan Race in person. It was an interesting feeling. It was an almost star-struck feeling. As I watched the tired new Spartans do their last ten burpees that were a reward for finishing the workout, I took a swig of water and received the microphone. As I sang the anthem, I can see the people that Spartan Race has united below, listening. In those moments of my life, I realized what Spartan Race has done. They have united so many people that might have never been united before. The applause came and Joe spoke about how we all need to work together to bring more people to these awesome events!
I have completed several Spartan races and also broke my toe during my Trifecta race at the Carolina Beast, Spartan Race’s 13+ mile obstacle course event. Have I known the culture and what Spartan Race was really all about, I would have gotten to more races. Speaking with and listening to Joe, I realized that it isn’t about the money and the profit that Spartan Race brings in. It is about ripping people off of their couches and giving people the experience of a life time. It’s about family, friendship and fitness. It’s about being part of a community that cares about one another and does it for the love of self and others. Becoming a Spartan is not about how big your arms are or about having a six pack. Becoming a Spartan is about doing something that you never thought you could. Something that in your mind, was impossible, becoming possible which in turn makes you into a better person. A person that made “impossible” possible. A fighter. A Spartan! AROO!