Unfortunately the universe has been conspiring against me for the past few years, so I haven’t been able to do a Spartan Race yet, but one of my BFFs, Aaren, has now run two (because she’s a bad ass!). I asked her to write about her experience to give you an idea of what to expect… and I also have an opportunity for you to win a free race!

Here’s Aaren:

I decided to start running in early 2014. Now, this was a big decision, because I’m not a runner. In fact, at the time, it had probably been 20 years since I had even tried to run a mile. But, I was facing the fact that I was no longer a “new mom” (and thus the excuse of “I just had a baby” was no longer valid), and running seemed like an easy option to get moving in the right direction toward being healthy again.

My husband, Patrick, and I started using the “Couch to 5K” app, and the program worked pretty well for me. Throughout 2014, I ran 2-3 times a week (most weeks), but the process was slow and I never felt like a “runner.” I was never able to run the entire 5K without stopping, and my personal record for a 5K was a little under 40 minutes. Many people scowl or laugh at that time, but I worked hard to achieve it!

We signed up for the Atlanta Spartan Race in March 2015 in an effort to motivate ourselves. We joined the gym and worked out together for the three months leading up to it. I never felt like I knew how to push myself in the gym and, even though I saw some physical changes and felt stronger, I had no idea what to expect when I got to the race.

I ran the Spartan Sprint with my husband and his brother, Josh. We were a team and they were great, but even with the running and working out, I was not prepared for the Spartan. I ran as much as I physically could, but walked a majority of the course. I did complete most of the obstacles and had a BLAST! Afterward, I said the Spartan Race was the most difficult thing I had ever done physically, including childbirth! I was physically unprepared and I paid for it: I was really sore for more than a week. I also slipped in the mud because I wasn’t wearing proper trail-running shoes and ended up with a huge bruise on my upper thigh. I could barely move for three days, but I had done it and I was so proud of myself.

Our running workouts were sporadic for the rest of 2015, but on a whim in January 2016 Patrick took a rock-climbing class at a local gym and fell in love. He brought me, and our two boys, and WE fell in love. For two months, we consistently climbed 3-4 times a week, for two hours at a time. My co-workers started commenting on my arms and back muscles, and I noticed my legs toning up as well. We signed up for the Spartan Sprint 2016 in March.

Patrick and I ran as a team of two. After a couple of “AROOs!” we took off. It was evident very quickly that this race was going to be a completely different experience than the previous year. I had bought real trail-running shoes and they were worth every penny! I had great traction on the muddy, slippery course, and I was able to run almost the entire race. WHAT? ME? RUNNING? YES, ME!

As soon as we finished, we realized we had taken 45 minutes off our previous time — and the course was a mile longer. I couldn’t believe how great I felt afterward. I was a bit sore the following day, but overall, felt awesome.

I still cannot believe the difference in the two races.  Rock climbing has been such a God-send for my family. We can all participate and it has become a real bonding experience for us. We have all progressed in skill and though we are working out together, we are choosing our own routes to climb, which makes it fun for each of us. I legitimately look forward to each workout. And I love how climbing is not gender-specific… and appearances can be deceiving. I have seen tall, strong men fail miserably on a route that I just mastered and older women climb the most difficult routes with ease.

I am so excited to try my next Spartan race. We are considering running in Jacksonville in December for our anniversary. What a better way to celebrate!

(This is Jen again!) If you’re thinking of signing up for your first Spartan Race, you definitely need to prepare — and as Aaren said, just running is not enough. Spartan Race founder Joe DeSena has written a book with a 31-day plan to get Spartan Fit, and you can pre-order it here. Or, if you’re an experienced racer, you might want to check out the new Agoge endurance race.

The free race giveaway has ended, but if you would still like to run a Spartan Race click on the ad at the right and enter the code SPARTANBLOGGER at checkout for 10 percent off.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Disclaimer: Spartan Race provided the free race code in exchange for me telling you about the new book and endurance race)