Grueling Race Puts Up Obstacles, Especially for One Man

reply to post by TDawgRex


When i say beefy i mean i have put on about 25 pounds of muscle since 2007, because I took up amateur body building. I spend most of my time lifting now, and a lot less time running, and maintaining a high level of cardio, except two or three times a week. I only have 9% body fat now, but that's just because it's been a good week.
I used to run 15 miles every other day, but if I tried that now I may get 4 miles before having to walk a little.

reply to post by snowen20


Putting on 25lbs of muscle is better than 25lbs of fat. I don't know if your vegan, but I would suggest some lean Bison or Venison. That's the only red meat I eat. Not a lot, but it sure does taste good.

I go by the pinch test method of weight gain/loss. 1/2 inch or less=bad. 1 inch or more= bad. In between however seems to work for me.

My motto, if you don't kill it, don't grill it.

reply to post by TDawgRex


Well, it is a pain in the arse, now that moved to a third world country.
About the only thing I can eat here is chicken, which is good, and a lot of Tuna. but since fukushima, they have advised against eating tuna caught here. (I now live in Asia by the way.) So I'm stuck with tilapia, and other fresh fish which is cool. But god knows I would love a steak.

There is water buffalo here, with hardly any fat on it at all, but JC it's lie shoe leather.lol
I usually run to the gym about 2 miles, but I just got over Pneumonia because of the air I was breathing, so I guess I'm still adjusting to life in a tropical environment.

To be honest I don't know if i have the motivation to even attempt a race like that anymore. It would be kind of fun to see, I haven't done anything as challenging as what they talk about since I was in the military. sounds fun as hell though.

reply to post by snowen20


Sounds like you are living your adventure. And I know that changing climes can take it's toll.

Water Buff though?, sounds like a culinary challenge. I'd love to give it a whirl.

Thailand or wherabouts I take it?

Stay safe. That is rough country, that area.

reply to post by TDawgRex


Philippines actually, decided to Expat.

Water buffalo, and indigenous cow, both are made of titanium. lol
But if you are willing to chew for the next 6 minutes to prevent a choking hazard it's okay.
if you can get through a plate of that you could probably kick the spartan race's butt.

reply to post by snowen20


Heck, Wack away at that meat as if your life depended upon it. OK, that sounds bad.

But seriously, if you don't look like the locals, be aware of your surroundings as the Moros would love another hostage. And that rarely ends well.

Be careful, friend.

Originally posted by ripcontrol
interesting...

I have a slight problem.... why are the special forces losing?


major issues...

I ll refrain from stating the issue with it... spec-ops should be winning... a very bad sign...

I leave the possibility that they do not enter for security reasons but still those that do should have won...


very interesting find...

You need to watch more of the videos.

I've got two videos in the original post.

There are more on the website itself.

These challenges are not easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Special Forces or not I guarantee it is challenging.

Originally posted by TDawgRex
reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas

 

Looks and sounds a lot like SFAS. Many in the SF communities would have eatin' this course up. There would have to be more challanges.

But it does look like a great way to spend the day...back in my youth.

It looks to me a lot like what Charlie Beckwith describes British SAS training is like.

I spent a few hours challenging the Navy S.E.A.L's and Dog the Bounty Hunter on Twitter.

Also sent challenges to the White House, Betchel Summit (Boy Scouts), and the United Nations.

I just turned 38 and I'm seriously considering going for next year or before I hit 40 in two years.

This would be an absolute blast to do no matter your age.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


Hehe, I'm 48 and have 5 knee operations and a hip operation (10 years, 82nd) and I'm sure I would end up in a hospital.

But, yep, 10 years ago, I would have given it a whirl.

Besides, I have all new challanges these days. Primarily, a job.

Originally posted by Bob Sholtz
reply to post by ripcontrol

 

i had an idea. why doesn't the military use a similar course for training? it could be a bit more solo-survival based, but it sure as hell would make soldiers able to push through more pain.

maybe have it as an intro requirement into certain branches of the service.

Some military organizations do just that.

SERE Survival Evasion Resistance Escape USAF Air Force


S.E.R.E. is one of the most difficult Special Forces training they do.

Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/14981ac18a6a.jpg[/atsimg]

Amazon Review :

The only insider′s account ever written on America′s most powerful weapon in the war against terrorism.

Damn good book.

SAS - survival training documentary BBC part 1


There are many more videos.

Navy SEAL BUD/S Training Hell Week


Hell Week : S.E.A.L.'s In Training

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/950a814ae78e.jpg[/atsimg]

Amazon Review :

They came from everywhere across the nation to be part of the most elite fighting team in the world: the U.S. Navy SEALs.

At a no-frills training base on the shores of the Pacific Ocean the weak and unworthy would be quickly eliminated -- and the strong would learn the true meaning of pain, fatigue, and endurance.

The regimen was brutal and legendary, designed to punish and steel the body and push the spirit to its very limits.

And at the end of one incredible week of torture those without the mettle would be broken and discarded ... and those destined for greatness would know it.

From Command Master Chief Dennis Chalker -- "plankowner" of the fabled SEAL Team Six and himself a survivor of "Hell Week" -- comes a riveting novel of blistering authenticity that takes readers through the grueling BUD/s training process -- as a handful of America's best are miraculously transformed from mere warriors ... to Navy SEALs.

All of the books are very interesting.

Originally posted by snowen20
Oh My God, I want to do this race so bad right now.

I have participated in urban races, but those are cake walks compared to this. I'm too beefy now for this kind of race though, I probably wouldn't have the endurance, but I would love to try.

I hope this guys smokes the hell out of this race. This underdog stuff really gets my blood up. I love it!

Being too beefy will work for you.

You will be burning off a lot of energy competing.

I loved the obstacle courses during Boot Camp and A.I.T.

Originally posted by TDawgRex
reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas

 

Hehe, I'm 48 and have 5 knee operations and a hip operation (10 years, 82nd) and I'm sure I would end up in a hospital.

But, yep, 10 years ago, I would have given it a whirl.

Besides, I have all new challanges these days. Primarily, a job.

I've got the same challenge you do which is why I e-mailed the Spartan Race.

A new and more grueling challenge in mind.

Yes, with knee operations, you might not make it.

Just posted this to Hobie Call's Facebook page :

Quote from Hobie Call's Facebook page from SKL :

Hobie, your WSJ story sparked off a conversation, and we're discussing the comparisons between the Spartan Race and Special Forces training. Also left two comments on the Spartan Race Facebook page for/about you. I'll re-post them here. "Go Hobie, GO! Hobie needs to consider getting involved in Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster after this to motivate youth into activities. Scouting is awesome but with leaders like him those youth can do even more."

And the 2nd one here.

"Hobie's story was something which attracted my attention. I've never heard of the Spartan Death Race, or any other of the races, but I've grown up a Spartan life. Several people have challenged me to get involved, and I challenged them right back, to get their butts and elbows into the dirt, mud, and grime with me. I also e-mailed Spartan Race about a new challenge, called "The Hot Gates", and hopefully they will e-mail me back soon."

Come on by ATS and join the discussion and tell us your experiences when you're done.

That is of course after posting this thread to his Facebook page.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


im sure you are in great shape butthis kind of race favours smaller guys im afraid. The winners seems to all be slightly muscular long distance runners who weigh very little

Originally posted by clintdelicious
reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas

 

im sure you are in great shape butthis kind of race favours smaller guys im afraid. The winners seems to all be slightly muscular long distance runners who weigh very little

Well, that is a misnomer, the race does not favor anyone of any particular size.

It does not favor anyone of any size whatsoever.

It is a grueling contest and only committed people, or those who should be committed, can do it.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


I always found that the more muscle I have the harder it is to maintain endurance. this is strange because the amount of endurance it takes to to things like drop sets when lifting weights can be comparable to Hiit training. In difficulty.
If a person wanted to do this race they would certainly have to train. I was trying to get selected for SF when I was in the army..(NO I WASN'T SELECTED)... my point is the special forces recruiter on post gave me this huge list of preparatory workouts, which included mostly endurance, like hiking 10 miles every day with a ruck sack just for the days start. It was a pain in the ass considering I had PT at 6:00 in the morning. lol It got old REAL fast.

The amount of training just to go to selection is ridiculous. I had a PT patch in basic but at my post I started hitting the gym hard, and consequently after doing the regiment prescribed by the SF Sergeant I stopped gaining muscle, which is what I didn't want. I have always found that he guys who did the best at SF were usually ectomorphs, or people of the tall, lean body mass types, or chicken legs as I called them.

I wanna be a stud, , so losing muscle to train for long distance high intensity racing isn't for me, beefy or otherwise. Still, I have that hardcore desire for a challenge that something like this race would give me or anyone else.

For those thinking that if there is a spec ops guy in these races they should automatically be a shoe in for winning, I have news for you. NO.....

Special forces guys are some of the most motivated people you will ever meet, and they are confident to a level of cockiness. They have earned it. But, just like anything that requires constant maintenance a persons motivation can wane over time, even for the elite soldiers.

They may have had the motivation and drive to complete a difficult training, which many will say was the hardest thing in their lives, but after 2 or 3 years out from that, they will not always train to that level of exhaustion, and mental fatigue. As a result they basically become mentally fat, albeit far more motivated than your average motor pool guy. The athletes that train for races like this never take a day off for years. This is their life, so naturally a well conditioned soldier with the right mentality may certainly finish this race, but there is no guarantee they will win. Not when put up against people who train daily their whole life for this specific thing.

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas

Originally posted by TDawgRex
reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas

 

Hehe, I'm 48 and have 5 knee operations and a hip operation (10 years, 82nd) and I'm sure I would end up in a hospital.

But, yep, 10 years ago, I would have given it a whirl.

Besides, I have all new challanges these days. Primarily, a job.

I've got the same challenge you do which is why I e-mailed the Spartan Race.

A new and more grueling challenge in mind.

Yes, with knee operations, you might not make it.

I agree and disagree with this. Technically speaking, people of leaner body types will probably have the "physical" advantage which basically works out to mechanical advantage since this type are more efficient at running and and such movements. However, ultimately all the physicality aside, it comes down to motivation and drive to win. Look at the main character of this story in the op, why should he win? He wins because he is driven mentally beyond the limits others have set for themselves.
So ultimately though some physical limitations are imposed on some by way of body type, the true determining factor is sheer willpower.

reply to post by snowen20


I understand all of that and I see where you were going with it.

When I lost 85 pound a few years back I loved the feeling.

It was, along with Boot Camp, the only time I've felt massively energized.

I'm not saying feeling alive I feel that every single day.

Nor am I referring to my attitude as I am always positive.

We had a Special Forces man going through A.I.T. when I went through.

He had broken his leg during Ranger training and it was his 3rd go through Boot Camp and A.I.T.

He liked to talk big about his exploits like most testosterone driven people.

It came down to the one-mile "Beat the Commanders Run" a simple morale race one day.

He talked about blah, blah, blah, and I had a 15 minute two-mile run.

Never having run a one-mile run at that point I had no clue what my time might be.

I ran a 6 minute and 36 second one-mile and smoked him without even trying.

I am 6'4" and I have extreme motivation when it comes to working out.

When I feel motivated and when I want to be motivated.

reply to post by snowen20


I agree with you about the Special Forces who should always win these races.

They are not always in the best of shape toward this type of endurance race.

Only Navy S.E.A.L.'s, Rangers, Spetnatz, GSG-9, and S.A.S might make it (more Special Forces).

And only if they are the cream of the crop.

They have to have the proper training, dedication, and endurance as well as willpower.

Unless they train every single day to stay in top-notch condition they will not make it.

reply to post by snowen20


Height or weight is not necessarily an advantage or disadvantage though.

It takes training, endurance, and motivation.

And I agree willpower is a large part of it.

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


Well, I'm on the petite side at 5'9" tall, and 203 lbs currently 9.3 BF %.
Why do I say this? lol. Because I have usually been the PT stud when it came to the running and everything, but because I have what you would call a cross between an mesomorphic and endomorphic body type, Im kind of like a fire hydrant.

Impressive when standing still but I look like dumb ass when I'm trying to run. Especially when we used to run in formation, because I was actually one of the shorter guys in my platoon, the tallest being 6'9". So for every one step they took I had to take at least another half step. When I was "attempting" to prepare for selection my Sgt, started making me and 2 other guys run double what everyone else did, and we still had to finish in the normal PT time. So when everyone else was doing their two mile, we had to run four and still be back in formation with everyone else. That was difficult the first month, and we often got back late, pushups waiting of course.

I am confident that I can do the race with no problem. Bu winning that race is a whole different ball game. I always had a motto, run until your dead. funny thing is I may die far sooner than the chicken legged guy running next to me. lol

Never the less I would LOVE to do it, if for no other reason than just to say I did it. Who cares if you win so long as i get to run through fire and get dirty as hell?