SPARTAN RACE GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS SERIES

If you are an experienced runner and plan to be out on the course for less than an hour (which is pretty fast), then carrying additional hydration or fuel will likely cost more energy than it will provide. If you can start eating one less item that contains sugar per day, you are are already well on your way to optimizing your body’s ability to burn fuel. If you have a few months before your race, start by phasing out sugar. In fact, suddenly changing your habits immediately prior to the race could make you miserable.

No, you do not need to suddenly dial in your diet and start eating Paleo. The other side of the teeter-totter is nutrition. Tip: grab a Nalgene bottle with volume indicators so you can keep track during the day. Don’t chug all at once, sip throughout the day and keep tabs on how much you are drinking. Shoot for a minimum of 2-3L per day (realistically only about 2-3 32oz water bottles). Before the race, you don’t even want to be close to that feeling. By the time you are thirsty, your body has reached a state of dehydration. Hydrating is different than satisfying thirst. No, that does not mean soda pop or even Gatorade drink water. You need to be drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the race. Hydration and nutrition is a critical component of your preparation.

SPARTAN RACE GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS SERIES

The INOV-8 Talon 212 Classic series listed above excels in this area. The answer is to ensure the shoe is comfortable enough to run in but snug enough to climb. Surely a climbing shoe would be best in this case but would destroy your feet in a run. However, when trying to climb a plank wall or navigate footholds it will be extremely difficult to hang on. If your feet tend to “splay,” it may be worth looking into the Altra Superior series or Lone Peak 4.0 running shoes (2019 Spartan parter brand). In the running shoe world, having plenty of room and cushioning in the shoe may not be a bad thing. The fit is important because of two reasons: comfort and versatility. We recommend you check out the INOV-8 Talon 212 or Reebok All-Terrain Super 3.0 shoes as they expend water very quickly after your first few steps AND have an affordable price point. Depending on how long you are on the course, your feet could be soaking for a long period of time which means pruning, cracking, and blisters. If you have a shoe that does not drain properly, you will be running in sloshy, heavy water pillows. With that said, your feet will be wet for essentially the entire race. Since the obstacles you will be facing are typically a mystery, it is a good rule of thumb to assume you will be in the water within the first few 100 meters. Expect to run through a pair of shoes about every 8-10 races depending on the distance, obstacles, trail difficulty, and amount of training you do in between. The shoe should be able to withstand your training before the race, the race itself, and all the subsequent races for that season. Some of the key features to consider are durability, drainage, and fit. If you have not already, check out our review of the top OCR shoes (Obstacle Course Racing). For this guide, we will focus on your first Sprint but all levels will benefit.įootwear is an extremely important consideration for any off-road running activity. Each race has different requirements in terms of preparation and gear. These are usually specialty events and only offered at certain venues. You will also find other events such as the Ultra Beast (2 laps of the Beast Course), endurance races such as the Agoge, and team races called Hurricane Heat.

3-5 miles, 20+ obstacles)Ĭompleting a Sprint, Super, and Beast inside one calendar year will earn you the Trifecta. Stadion (3 miles, 20+ obstacles in a stadium).The Elite is the first to leave in the morning and competes for prizes, the age-group competes for best in age groups but is not eligible for the prices, and the Open is by far the most popular and what we recommend for your first race. Each race has 3 heats (or waves) that are all released at different times: Elite Heat, Age-Group, and Open. Generally speaking, there are three levels of difficulty. The first thing you need to understand is how Spartan Race is structured. Ready to take the leap and become a Spartan Finisher? Here are your gear list and guide to get started.

Spartan race gear recommendations