2017 Review

There is only one place to begin… the beginning.

This adventure began with one goal: to complete a Spartan Super race because it would be the longest distance of continues running I would have ever done. I think my most prior was about 3 miles. I had done a 5k once before and thought that would be too easy, so I went to double the length and throw a few cool looking obstacles in the way. I chose Spartan because my cousin Jordan and good dear friend Tim had each done 1 or 2 and I saw their photos on Facebook and thought “yeah, I will try one of those.” That single goal was set and accomplished without any knowledge AT ALL about a timing chip/ranking, trifecta, or anything else Spartan Race related. I went, I ran, I felt accomplished, and I was done. I big thank you to Nata and Sabrina for the wonderful weekend in Arizona that allowed me to participate in that first race. It was hours later than an email changed everything. “Hello Brendan, your results are ready for you at www.chronotrack.com.” I had no idea this stuff was being tracked… I logged on… 9th in my age group out of hundreds! Are you kidding me? I did THAT well and I didn’t even know it? Then a small flame began to burn. Wow, I wonder if I can do even better. It was then I learned of the trifecta; 3 races of different lengths and difficulties which must be completed in 1 calendar year that together form a 4th medal known as the trifecta. Goal #2 was established; earn that Trifecta. I immediately traveled back to Arizona and ran the Spartan Sprint race and finished 8th in my age group, again making that fire burn a little bigger, hotter, and brighter. I had 8 months now to train for the beast to take place in Big Bear; this would complete my trifecta, I better get training! 13-15 miles would definitely be a challenge since 9.5 was now my personal record. It was shortly after though that I leaned of the different race series Spartan offered including the Honor and Stadium series. Goal 3# was realized; run one of each! But I already had a Sprint and Super and that is all that those offer, so had had to create a new goal; 2x Trifecta! But that meant I needed another beast to pick out. World Championships in Lake Tahoe should really tell me if I am top of my age group or not right? I picked that one! I had less time to train for it, but now I had 2 extra races to practice with. I ran the Honor Super in Fort Carson Colorado and had my butt kicked with a rucksack carry and the most brutal of bucket brigades. But the medal was unique and the date was mother’s day so it was a very moving and special event regardless of the outcome. It was at that race that I actually met some people and became friends with fellow racers, since previously I ran and left to travel back home. Cody was my very first Spartan friend, and ironically, a second Cody became my second. It was through these two that I gained even more knowledge of the Spartan world and about multiple Trifectas and different races. I learned about the Ultra Beast, a race that was two laps of a beast course usually with an extra surprise thrown in. Yeah, no, I will NEVER run a 26+ mile race WITH obstacles. Count me out. I had my 2 beasts picked out, and both supers competed now so I was good to go. Cody and other new friends I stayed in contact with over the following weeks then invited me to go to Monterey for the NBC race (US Championship Series) and I thought what the heck? So I went, sicker than a dog, and had a personal worst race, but I finished and I did my best and I had a BLAST with meeting everyone and hanging out after the race. I was fine with the 3rd super since it was so bad, I wasn’t even going to worry about it. But on the way home, I was asked if I wanted to carpool again out to Breckenridge Colorado for the Beast in the Rockies. I said I probably would be able to make it with family things going on, but I would see. As it turned out, that weekend Brooke and Layna would be in Virginia and my parents were going out of the Country for 2 weeks. So I agreed to go and started to plan. When I went to sign up, I found out Breckenridge hosts an Ultra Beast… Do I dare? No one in my travel group was going to do it, and I didn’t want to hold anyone up waiting for me to finish, but Alicia encouraged me to do it and so I did; I signed up. This was now Goal #4 and 5. Compete an Ultra Beast and get a 3x Trifecta. I had 10 weeks to train like I never have before. I made running more a part of my weekly routine. I went to the gym 4 days a week. I ate, trained, pulled, lifted, and pushed, anything I could find for weeks. Right in the middle was the LA Stadium Sprint where I had family come watch me for the first time. But finally the week came for the Ultra. I went, I raced, and I finished… 7th overall! I was in tears for minutes even while trying to call family who were so anxious to hear. Over 7 hours of pure energy spending with ice cold rivers to cross, logs, rocks, and sang to carry, 4000 feet of elevation gain and 26.7 miles of trail ran. It was THE MOST difficult thing I had ever accomplished, and may remain for the rest of my life. But I did it, I know had a trifecta; A Stadium Sprint, an Honor Series Super, and the Ultra Beast. A very special trifecta indeed. With 2 month until Lake Tahoe, I kept training but with less time involved. It was about this time that I realized I was nearing the top 100 open heat races IN THE WORLD! And so, my final goal was set: Finish the year in the top 100 Open racers in the world. For reference, your top 5 scores are summed up in addition to 10 bonus points per race after your best 5. So, the more you race, the more bonus you can get and I was at a disadvantage since most people in the top 100 race 20+ races a year and I was only going to run 9, but my points were higher because I was a faster finisher and that helps. Brooke and I traveled to Tahoe with Layna together and made it a family trip which was a total success. It was Layna’s first time seeing me race and she warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes with her love and enthusiasm for my efforts; cheering and screaming “DADDY” for about a ½ mile at the finish. I finished 18th overall and 3rd in my age group scoring the highest points for the year on that race: 288/300 and it was also my first ever spear throw success! This earned my double trifecta and I received my first “bonus” medal. It was only a month away now until Big Bear. It came quickly and again I had full family support with me including my grandfather who traveled with Brooke, Layan, and myself. Mom and dad met us there after my start. This was my first perfect race; no penalty burpees and I hit the spear throw again with mom recording. I finished 19th overall and 5th in my age group and Brooke and I came back the next day to volunteer the sprint race so she could run my 3rd and final sprint with me in Castaic. This race took place yesterday and I knew I needed about 17 points to accomplish the final goal of a top 100 year finish. Unfortunately, I think my math says I will fall about 7 points shy of that, but under the circumstances of not feeling 100% health, I still finished well and less than 15min behind the leader. Brooke did amazing herself and attempted every obstacle and only missed a few successes. I was very proud of her.

So looking back, I may not be top 100 this year, but it really comes down to quantity of races in the open heat, not so much as finished placement, so I know truly, I AM a top 100 and that’s good enough for me. Not to mention, this started out as a single event finish and turned into a 9 race, 100 mile 250+ obstacle adventure that I NEVER would have dreamed I would be able to do. Traveling, visiting 5 states, meeting tons of new friends, and having the support of family and other friends have been monuments I my growth personally, physically, and even spiritually. I can’t take away from what God has given me the ability to do and the body with which to do it. I have always been somewhat self-conscious about my body type (lean/thin), but seeing me beat the type of men I thought I wanted to look like has become a boost of confidence and ability I never before shared with myself. I thank Him for an injury free year despite PLENTY the opportunity for broken and twisted body parts. I thank Him for the group of fellow believers in the Spartan community I have been able to connect with. I thank Him for the relationships with amazing racers including Pro Team member Glenn and Elite runner Chris who continue to train and push me further than I could do myself. All of this has just created a new me that is better and stronger than ever before.

Finally, another thank you for the support of family and friends. I know, without hesitation, my parents were VERY unsure and slightly apprehensive about even my #2 goal, and the more I changed my goals, the worse it got J. But I think they can see now the passion and ability I have to do this with and they are now asking great questions about next year. I am excited to officially announce that I will be moving to the Age Group heat for the 2018 season with hopes of finished top 10 at the North American Championships in West Virginia and August. I still have a lot to do to get there, but your support and love is what will help me get there! I love you all and thank you for a great rookie season and a fantastic year to come!