Team Power Systems Shares Stories from Their First Spartan Race

Team Power Systems completed the 2018 Spartan Trifecta Challenge with their final race, the Asheville, NC Sprint, on Sunday, August 5th. This race was special for the team – not only did they earn the final RED piece of the Trifecta medal, but they were able to run the race with several additional team members!

When Power Systems formed their Trifecta Team at the beginning of this year, many others were inspired to try their first Obstacle Course Race with the team on the Sprint course. The location and distance were ideal for a “team outing”, so we lined up the caravans and headed to Black Mountain, NC – 16 teammates strong. As usual, Mother Nature did not disappoint. The weather on race day was perfect, but for 3-4 days leading up to the race the area experienced torrential rain that significantly contributed to the mud factor.

We asked the team to share some of their thoughts after their very first Spartan experience. Here is what some of them had to say:

1. What were your thoughts going into the race?

• A bit of nervousness, a bit of excitement, and a whole lot of naïve as I would later realize.
• I am not sure what I expected going into the race. I knew that it would be tough because I had spoke with friends that had run the Asheville course before.
• I think from all the hype around the event I was a bit nervous to start. And walking though the entrance with deep mud I was a bit concerned about the length and the obstacles.

2. What was your pre-race fuel?

• I really misjudged this one, a protein bar and a banana. I didn’t take into account how long the course would be or the energy I would be exerting. In hindsight, I would have taken my nutrition far more seriously.
• My pre-race fuel consisted of an eqq white omelet with veggies and bacon. Also had a small portion of hash browns for some carbs.
• Just a cliff bar

3. What did you find the most challenging?

• 

  In this instance, I would have to say the conditions. With the amount of rain in the area in the days leading up to the race, I for one was not prepared for the amount of mud nor how much that would affect every other aspect of the course.

• The obstacles that I found most challenging were the multi-rig and Olympus. You find out quickly what you need work on to improve for the next race. Oh and don’t forget the mud…. The mud was very challenging as well.
• Although I couldn’t complete the monkey bars I wouldn’t say those were the most challenging. I found the sandbag event the hardest. It wasn’t just the weight, but a combination of balancing the weight when walking in ankle deep mud and sliding down the 5-foot slope. It really was an obstacle that made you concentrate the entire time. I have to add that the barbed wire obstacle was tougher than I thought it would be too.

4. What was your favorite obstacle / part of the race?

• For me, I think it would be the absolute beauty of the mountains in Asheville along with the comradery not only in our group but of everyone out on the course. Both of these aspects left an impression on me that I won’t soon forget.
• My favorite obstacle was probably the twister. I failed that obstacle, but I feel certain that I can knock it out if it’s not so WET. Wading through the creeks/rivers was awesome as well running through the quarry.
• I most enjoyed the natural obstacles. Walking through the knee-deep mud and creeks, climbing up the steep banks and trying to have a controlled decent coming down. Not super challenging, but really engaging.

5. What was your post-race fuel?

• 

  Chick-fil-a, followed by whatever I could get my hands on I was starving.

• My post-race fuel consisted of bananas and protein bars until we finally got to some real food. At that point I had a double bacon cheeseburger and some onion rings.
• I had a banana and the protein bar they handed out.

6. What were your thoughts after the race?

• I was definitely left with a new-found respect for OCR. Seeing it on tv and reading about it really can’t compare to experiencing it firsthand. An “experience” is about the only way I can describe my first Spartan race. It was an all-around journey that went beyond the obstacles or elements to push me past my comfort zone which made for a truly rewarding experience at the finish line.
• All I have thought about since the race is, when can I sign up for another one and how can I complete my Trifecta this year.
• Fun, exciting, great experience with the team. I would recommend that everyone try it at least once. You don’t have to be competitive, just focus on trying your hardest, having a good time, enjoying the company around you and the outdoors. When you finish, there is a strong feeling of accomplishment.