Spartan Race: Toronto Super July 3, 2016

I raced the super today, 10.5km, elevation of 850m. I believe it was almost the same course as last year. It was a great course again. There was so much incline though that I just didn't have enough energy to run and walked up many of the inclines. Some of the eastern spartan obstacles include a balance beam + slack line, platinum rig, ammo box carry, mud crawl under a cargo net, and of course the famous spear throw. It seemed there was much more competition than last year, reaching over 3000 participants today!

BattleFrog Series: Toronto July 2, 2016

This race was amazing. First of all it was very well marked. The spectator area was really big and saw some of the bigger more difficult obstacles such as "tip of the spear", Platinum rig#2, double jerry can carry, rugsack carry, and monkey bars! Choice of open heat, elite heat, or Xtreme heat. Open heat was 22 obstacles and 8.5km. In the open heat if the racer could not complete an obstacle there was either an 8-count burpee penalty or a small penalty loop with a sandbag to carry. Elite racers had to complete 2 laps and complete every obstacle to remain in the heat. If they gave up on an obstacle, their elite wristband was taken away and they can continue as an open racers and get a DNF. The Xtreme racers had until 2pm to complete as many laps as they can under the open heat rules. I was in the elite heat. 29 elite competitors completed all the obstacles with a remaining 38 elite racers DNF. I ended up taking 13th male finish which I was really happy about!
During the course, the obstacles were marked with Novice, Intermediate, Elite. The difference between the 3 was that the Elite had higher ramps, less footholds, knot-less ropes, and more difficult multi-rigs. Elite male racers were only allowed to do Elite obstacles. Elite female and Xtreme racers(correct me if wrong) had an option to do the Intermediate obstacle route or the elite obstacles. The remaining Open racers had a choice from novice, intermediate, or elite obstacles. Very fun time :) nice to meet the top racers and new faces!

Spartan Race: Edmonton Sprint June 25, 2016

I was racing in the competitive heat which was 15 minutes after the elite heat. The day started with lots of rain. When our heat started all the obstacles were already covered in mud. Half of the race felt like we carried cement blocks on our feet! I was doing pretty good until we came to the traverse wall. I took my time doing this obstacle because it was really muddy as i see everyone was doing burpees. I made across all the walls and then went for the bell and didn't hit it! That was probably the saddest moment during the race for me. I ended up doing 120 burpees that day, not really pushing myself as hard as i could, and running with some friends instead of competing like i should have been. The bucket carry was also shocking. I was filling my bucket to the top with dirt and mud, and while walking uphill I could see everyone's buckets as they were coming downhill. I could not see anyones dirt :( Overall the course layout was great, it did feel like a sprint. My Suunto watch recorded 5.2km. Onto the next race which is near Toronto. :)

Storm the Fort OCR June 11, 2016

This was my first Storm the Fort. Very organized, awesome obstacles, and great competitors. This obstacle race was located in Fort Saskatchewan and was a sponsored event by Johnny B Fitt. It was a tight competition for the money prizes. Some of the new obstacles were the Destroyer (a tall wall out of wood with some blocks for your feet) and Tip of the Spear (4 tarzan ropes, and finger blocks all along an angled wall). There was also Axe throwing, a big Slip and Slide, and an Ice Dunk Wall! I really enjoyed it. I passed some competitors on the obstacles :) I was 4th for the first half of the 5km race, and ended up finishing 8th!

Cerro Amigos Hike

While in Costa Rica I also did the Cerro Amigos hike. Located in Monteverde near the cloud Rainforest! The Hike took apx 1 hour, it was a constant uphill hike of over 400 meters in elevation and just under 4km from the base to the peak. It was really hike as it drizzled rain in the hot weather! Who thought we would get sunburnt, but we did. The views at the top were great.

Cerro Chato Hike

Cerro Chato, located near La Fortuna in Costa Rica. It is beside the Arenal Volcano. Total length to the top of the mountain from the base was 3km and an elevation of 872 meters. Very steep hike and rewarding! We took a swim at the top. No need for a guide/tour as the trails are very clear. The hike can be done in just under an hour, but usually takes 2 hours to hike up. It is also a steep downhill from the top of the mountain on the way to the crater pool. It was pouring really hard when we started to head back and the trails had some heavy flow! Good thing i had my Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes :)

Spartan Race: Montana Beast and Sprint May 7 & 8, 2016

This was my first spartan race of the season. Great weather, not as cold as last year. I was racing in the competitive heat for the beast which I ended up being 26th overall and 5th in my age group. I ran with my Suunto Ambit2 watch and recorded the trek being 20.7km with an elevation gain of 1205 meters. I completed this beast in 3hours 36min which qualified me for the OCRWC 2016! :) There was a total of 30 obstacles with 1 multi-rig right before the fire jump. I did 0 burpees that day!
Next day was the Spartan Sprint. This race was the first out of 5 being broadcast on NBC so many of the pros just raced today. I entered the elite heat as well to see how my time would compare. I finished 69th with a time of 1hr 34min. This was a very long sprint; my suunto recorded 8.9km and 534 meters in elevation. My javelin throw was short this day.
Overall a great weekend. Pretty happy with the results from my training. Next to come are some hikes in Costa Rica, and then some more races in June!