Go Hard or Go Home! It is Time for Beast Mode!

Usually when I hear or read this, I go home or I switch off. For me, being active is a joy. In addition to keeping fit, I mostly want exercise to be fun and/or functional.

That is why I love cycling to work, training with S D Movement and going for the occasional swim. They help me to stay fit, move better and relax.  When asked what I believe are the best activities and sports to help lose fat or remain active, I am a firm believer in doing whatever you enjoy and whatever will become a sustainable activity in your life.

But sometimes, you have to come out of your comfort zone and it pays to push yourself that little bit harder.

If I am going to be an Ironman, I need to build up my stamina and endurance levels and improve my mental toughness.

So, when Spartan Race Edinburgh came knocking on my door and offered me the chance to bring a few friends to Spartan Race Edinburgh on July 22nd and 23rd I said yes quicker than you can say “Aroo!!”

Spartan Race Edinburgh

It is time to train hard and dirty for a bit, although the infection control doctor in da house is not too happy with my decision to get back down in the mud with Spartan Race Edinburgh again. I am not normally known for my masochistic tendencies, but there is something about Spartan events that I cannot resist. It is not just the addition of physical obstacles that distinguishes Spartan from normal road races. Although you can participate in Spartan Race Edinburgh as an individual and you can race through the course (it is a race, after all), I have always loved going as a team. Helping each other over walls, under nets and around obstacles symbolises life and for me it is much better to face life’s obstacles with others around you and with you (plus I am rubbish at climbing walls on my own).

In 2012, I really embraced Obstacle Course Racing and competed in both Tough Mudder and several Spartan Races, including the Spartan Beast and Spartan Race Edinburgh. It was a blast but I received a few pummelings.

Don’t hit the face!

I was much slimmer and slightly fitter than I am now and I have to decide between adding another Sprint event this year on top of my Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon or tackling another Beast (I have entries for both). The last one, down in Brand’s Hatch, was one of my favourite events but it was tough, despite my first mile smiles.

It was all smiles at this point

In order to help me decide, I went along to Central Strength Gym in Glasgow to spend some time with Scott Devenney who will be joining me at Spartan Race Edinburgh and he will hopefully be helping me prepare for the big day.

With a lot of time expected crawling in mud, under nets and under and over wood, we decided to focus on my ability to crawl, squat and push myself up. It was not pretty, but it was not without hope.

Down on all fours

It’s squat to be all in all from now all

I hope to be another 10lbs lighter by July 22nd but I also hope to be stronger. I will be training in Central Strength Gym twice a week for the next month and hope to see some real improvements before Spartan Race Edinburgh. A new rig will be getting installed next week, so we will be able to spend some time climbing and playing on monkey bars (my two greatest Spartan fears).

Hopefully training for Spartan will complement my Pedal for Scotland training and with lots of core training, I am looking forward to the changes to my fitness and my physique. I will probably settle for the Spartan Sprint even if I do hear the call of the Spartan Beast.

It is all about taking steps

We will be Spartans!

Will you join us at Spartan Race Edinburgh (discount code in my next Spartan post)?

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