Finding My Strong – Becoming A Spartan Sprinter
“Ok – I am going to regret it if I don’t – sign me up!”
Those cheerful words were typed into my Yahoo email on 11/14/25, committing me to a two-month training program. I had just entrusted Ashley, the owner of my yoga studio, PeakZen, to lead me to top physical – and mental – form, for a 5K race.
But this wasn’t your average neighborhood trot. This was a course based on “ancient practice,” the Spartan Sprint, 3.1 miles of mud and trails, with 20 obstacles along the way.
So, on the first day of a shiny new year, I joined my team for workout number one. It was a bunch of us ladies in high spirits, chatting away during warm-ups and an interval run in a hilly neighborhood. “Oh, I’ve got this,” I said to myself.
But that smile got wiped off my face real fast. Over the following weeks, the training became harder, the homework more detailed and challenging, and the studio classes more rigorous and fast-paced. I’ve never done so many !&^#@ burpees in my life. “I’ve still got this,” I said to myself.
Then came Carlos. It was a snowy Saturday when my gals and I met up at Team Octopus for our guest trainer. As a teammate and I descended the stairs to the building, fully clothed, a man wearing only shorts came sprinting in the opposite direction. “I sure hope that isn’t Carlos,” said my friend.
But it was most definitely Carlos. And Carlos didn’t play. This Army Ranger veteran put us through the wringer – climbing and pulling ropes, pushing and carrying weights, jumping up on blocks, twisting around monkey bars, and, of course, running in the snow. Every station was with partners, timed, and in order. No deviations. And it was all I could do to hold back the tears. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. “I don’t have this.” I confessed to myself as we chanted “Easy Work” at the end.
After that setback, I had to rally and lean on my team. Getting to know these cool women, checking in on our Spartan group chat, and being comfortable enough to share my “what the f’s” with them, along with my cheering section in the outside world, kept me going. So I persisted.
Finally, it was the day of the show, ya’ll. I pulled up at the Conyers Olympic Horse park in my PeakZen Spartan shirt, milled about nervously with my team, did our stretches, and then the horn sounded.
Over the next two hours, I experienced the 5 stages of running. Denial, acceptance, blood, throw-up, and dirt in my crotch. There were obstacles on the course that I conquered, and obstacles that conquered me. But my “why” came at the 90-degree earthen wall climb, when, midway through, my body started shutting down. From out of nowhere, a magical circle of Spartans, both strangers and teammates, literally kept me from falling, urged me on, pulled me up to the top, rubbed my back while I upchucked, and gave me hydrating tablets and water.
I finished that race, but with angels on my shoulders. Just like in this life, I am better because of the people who show up to love me through the good and the hard. This time, I found my strength in a Spartan Sprint. Next time, it could be something much more difficult. But, come what may, I’ll get over that wall, one way or another. And so will you.
Want a Spartan-like experience of your own? Check out my post, Girlfriend Bonding Experiences.
