CHALLENGE TO CHANGE

We completed our first X2 (2 Spartan Trifectas in one year)!! 

The Spartan Race, known for its challenging obstacles and unforgiving terrain,
was about to test our physical and mental endurance like never before. The
pursuit of not one, but multiple Trifectas intrigued my son and me. So for 2023,
this has become our ambitious goal. This level of commitment demanded
months of rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and sheer determination.

It also involved a lot of planning, scheduling, and budgeting. We, as a family
agreed that to achieve such an endeavor, it would take a lot of time away from
our regular family activities and would increase our overall expenses.

For those who do not know, a Spartan Race is a series of obstacle course races that vary in distance and difficulty. Participants, often referred to as “Spartans,” must navigate a course filled with physical challenges such as climbing walls, crawling under barbed wire, carrying heavy objects, and more. These races are designed to test endurance, strength, and mental toughness. Spartan Races come in different formats, including Sprint (3+ miles), Super (8+ miles), and Beast (12+ miles), as well as ultra-distance and team events. Completing a Spartan Race is a physical and mental accomplishment, and they are popular events for fitness enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

A Trifecta in the Spartan world represents the completion of three races of
varying distances and difficulty levels: the Sprint, the Super, and the Beast.
Earning one Trifecta is a significant achievement, but completing two is a
monumental feat. It signifies a commitment to pushing one’s limits, facing
fears, and surpassing obstacles in both the physical and mental realms.
Our journey towards achieving our first Spartan Race Double Trifecta began
with a desire to break free from the monotony of traditional fitness routines.
We also saw other Spartans completing multiple Trifectas, so why not
challenge ourselves to do the same? Going into this challenge, we knew we
would step out of our comfort zone.

The first leg of our journey was taking on the Super, a 10k race (about 6 or 7 actual miles) in San Bernardino, California, in January. This was held at the Glen Helen Parkway. The terrain was mostly flat with a few medium-level climbs. We ran with a big group, including first-time racers. We took our time and helped new racers conquer obstacles. We finished in about 4 hours. Our second race was the Sprint, a 5k (about 3 actual miles) which was scheduled for the next day. This was also our first back-to-back race. It was difficult to wake up in the morning after the Super because of soreness in many parts of your body, especially your legs and feet. But our minds were set on the goal, so we raced. The first mile was a struggle; we felt a lot of discomfort, but we powered through whatever pain we were feeling. We finished in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

In March, we took on another Super in Las Vegas, NV. The trip itself was
a challenge because it took us about 7 hours to get there from Los Angeles.
So, we arrived in Las Vegas late Friday night. Tired from the trip, we rested as
much as we could to prepare for the race the next day. After everything
was said and done, we completed the Super in 3 hours. The Las Vegas venue
was not as difficult compared to other Super races, but the trails were very
rocky. One moment, if you lose focus and do not pay attention to what you are
stepping on, you might sprain your ankle.

In April, we did another Sprint in San Diego, CA. This was a fun one. We joined
some of our family and friends. Most of them had not raced before, so it was
great to show them the ropes. It was fulfilling to see your loved ones enjoy the
sport that you are passionate about. It was also great to hear that they had a
great time and will sign up for more races in the future. The Sprint was completed in
2 hours.

We tried the Beast in Big Bear CA in May, the 2nd hardest location next only to
Killington, Vermont, which we failed miserably. It was a common opinion that
this was more difficult than previous years because we had to do 2 loops of
the Super because of icy conditions. We made lap one transition cut off at
4 PM, but we were informed that we needed to be at the Z wall obstacle by
7 PM, which was about 6 miles away of climbing and downhill runs. There was
no way we would make the cut off because our legs were dead. We decided to
DNF at the transition together with what we heard about 300+ DNFs. This was
heartbreaking. It hurts not to finish because you already did half of the work.
But it is what it is. We needed to change the plan to complete the goal.

Then came the Beast in August in San Jose, CA. Determination! The one word to describe our 2023 San Jose Beast experience. Less than a quarter mile from the starting line, I warned my son about the many holes on the ground. With a little dose of irony, I rolled my right ankle into a hole right after I warned him. I felt something pop, but I kept running to keep it loose. I dealt with the discomfort for about 15+ miles. Heat and the absence of shade affected my son and his breathing. He struggled with cramps too, but he kept going. We made it to Bender (the designated obstacle as a cut-off point for headlamps) early. But the heat and lack of water (yes, we used up all we have in our hydration packs) weighed heavily on us. We decided to rest and take a break so my son and I could recover for a bit. We picked a rest area where racers who had decided not to continue the race were being picked up. This location also had a direct view of the final and daunting hill climb. We tried to find shade next to the water containers and wondered if we were going to climb that hill or not. We rested, gathered our strength, and then started to climb again. It was tough and brutal, but we finished the race. It took us about 10 hours to complete this race. As we crossed the finish line of this particular Beast, we felt proud because this was a difficult venue. Now Trifecta one is complete.

We continued the pursuit of our first Double Trifecta. We needed one more Beast, so we looked into our schedule, and the only race that worked for us was the Beast in Dallas. We tried the Beast in Lebec, CA in 2022, Big Bear and San Jose in 2023. We can say Dallas Beast, in Granbury, Texas, was our favorite. Although it was hot and dusty, there were a lot of trees on the trail, which relieved racers from the sun’s rays. There were also many water runs that helped cool us down. We completed the Beast in about 7 hours.

X2 Trifecta complete.

Completing two Trifectas meant double the journey. It meant embracing the
relentless training, the early morning runs, and the countless hours spent
conquering the obstacles in our path. It meant pushing our bodies to the limits
and testing our resolve to its breaking point.

Yet, with each race, we gained a deeper understanding of our capabilities, a heightened sense of accomplishment, and an unbreakable bond with my son and our fellow Spartans. Earning my first Spartan Race Double Trifecta was not just about
completing six challenging races; it was a testament to the power of
determination and perseverance. It was a journey of self-discovery, an
exploration of human potential, and a celebration of the spirit that drives us to
conquer any obstacle, whether on the race course or in life itself.

The Spartan Race had transformed my son and I, into someone who was
unafraid to face adversity head-on. We understood the value of pushing our
bodies to the limit. We also forged lasting friendships with those who had
shared in this remarkable journey. Completing our first 2 Trifectas in the
Spartan Race was more than just a physical achievement; it was a life-altering
experience that will continue to inspire and drive us to conquer whatever
challenges lie ahead.

Participating in the Spartan Race was a true game-changer for both my son and me. It was not just another race, but an exhilarating adventure that pushed us beyond our physical and mental limits. The Spartan Race provided us with an opportunity to test our strength, endurance, and determination in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Through our participation in this endurance event, we discovered the immense satisfaction that comes from facing adversity head-on. We learned the importance of persevering through obstacles and never giving up, even when the going gets tough. This mindset has since become an integral part of our lives, shaping our approach to all challenges that come our way.

Moreover, the Spartan Race offered us an incredible platform to forge deep and lasting connections with like-minded individuals who shared our passion for conquering obstacles. We found ourselves surrounded by a supportive community that encouraged us every step of the way. The friendships we made during this remarkable journey continue to inspire us and serve as a reminder of the shared triumphs we experienced together.

It is important to note that completing our first 2 Trifectas in the Spartan Race was not only a physical achievement but also a profound life-altering experience. It instilled in us a sense of empowerment, resilience, and self-belief that extends far beyond the racecourse. This experience has become a driving force for us, constantly fueling our determination to overcome any challenges that lie ahead and conquer new heights.

In a couple of weeks, we set our sights to X3 and Trifecta weekend (Three
races, Beast, Super and Sprint in one weekend).

Aroo!