Spartan Beast Mode

This workout is one of the hardest I do right now, and I don't suggest trying to Rx (do it as written) it until you've tried pieces of it first. I try to do this set once a week and I'm still at the "beginner to low intermediate" level of repeats.

With the World Championship Beast and Ultra-Beast knocking at the door, we suggest you try the following workout sent to us from elite Spartan racer, Andi Hardy, .

The body is much stronger than you know, it is the mind that is the weakness.
-- Andi Hardy

Warm up with 25 burpees.

Main Set:

Run 1/2 mile
20 burpees
50 lunges (each leg)
3 min. plank

Run 1/2 mile
40-40 jumping jacks (total of 80)
40-40 push ups (total of 80)
80 air squats
1 min. side plank (each side)

Beginners – 1 or 2 times through.
Intermediate - 2 – 4 times through
Beast Mode – 5 x

Cool down is a 1/2 mile jog, 100 sit-ups, and then stretch.

Ultra Beast-ers:
Make each run 1 mile and add at least 10 burpees to each set.
Hydrate as needed, you will be out there a while.

Setting Realistic Goals

April 1st - my first run. My goal was to simply make it around the block!

April 27th - Finish first 5k race!

September 7th - Finish first 10k race!

November 17th - Finish first half marathon!

When I first started running my competitive side wanted to be the fastest! Wanted to run to win everything! Why not right? If I trained hard enough, ate healthy enough, just tried harder I could get there, just like I have with every other thing I've ever competed in. With each passing race my times got faster, then a friend suggested we all register for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas and I figured why not! I started a training plan that set my goals for my runs for me, had me set to be able to finish my first half marathon in two hours. For a 24 year old in good health that seemed totally realistic, until I started training. Every time I tried for my speed drills in training my ankles would flare up like they were on fire for days. After 3 or 4 attempts I had to come to grips with the reality that I will never place in my age division at any of the major races, because my body can't physically handle it. But that's ok, because this past weekend I ran my first 14 mile run, and back in April I couldn't even go a steady mile! So, remember to make your goals realistic, not someone else's goals, but your own. Be it to run a 5k, or to go further, keep them in perspective, but don't be afraid to push yourself. For me it isn't speed, but distance...

Next Year's Goals:

Ragnar Wasatch Back - 200 mile 12 person road relay race from Logan to Park City

Spartan Sprint - 5k(ish) 15 obstacle race

First Triathlon? - Need swimming coaching first!