🏔️ From Barbed Wire to Big Bear: My Spartan Beast Experience and Why You Should Train for One Too
Let me take you back to 2014. It was 100 degrees in Temecula, CA. The sun was blazing, the dust was unforgiving, and there I was — crawling under barbed wire, trying not to pass out while wondering what kind of questionable life choices had led me to a Spartan Race. I was sunburned, undertrained, and in desperate need of more water and better decision-making skills.
Naturally… I signed up for another one shortly after.
Why? Honestly, I still can’t fully explain it. Spartan races just have this way of getting under your skin — not just the dirt and scrapes (though, yes, plenty of those too), but the challenge, the energy, and the sense of accomplishment that makes you say, “Okay… just one more.”
Now, over a decade later, I’ve run more Spartan races than I can count without digging through emails. We’re talking:
🟩 2 Spartan Ultras (back when they still did them in Lake Tahoe!)
🟨 Several Beasts (Big Bear alone? 3 times)
🟦 Plenty of Supers & Sprints (Temecula, Castaic, Pala, Mesquite, Oahu… the list goes on)
Each one brought something new — a different terrain, new weather curveballs, and fresh stories of personal triumph (and hilarious missteps). And while I’ve never been in it for a podium spot, I have made it a point to train smart, push myself, and bring clients, friends, and my wife along for the journey. These races aren’t just physical challenges — they’re mini-vacations, bonding experiences, and mental resets all wrapped into one.
🧠 What Spartan Races Really Demand (It’s More Than Just Muscles)
If you’re reading this thinking, “I could maybe do a race like that…” then guess what? You probably can. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about raw strength or running 10 miles on pavement. Spartan races — especially the longer ones like the Beast or Ultra — demand a hybrid athlete.
You need:
Aerobic endurance to keep going through trails, inclines, and altitude
Anaerobic capacity for those hill sprints and heavy carries
Muscular endurance for 30+ burpees, walls, and rope climbs
Grip strength to hang, carry, drag, and pull
Core stability and mobility to avoid injury when you’re crawling, twisting, and jumping
Mental resilience when your calves cramp at mile 10 and you still have three obstacles to go
You also need… let’s be honest… snacks. Lots of snacks.
🥨 Fueling the Fire: My Nutrition, Hydration & Supplement Protocol
After some good old-fashioned trial and error (read: running my first Ultra in ketosis and deeply regretting it by mile 16), I’ve locked in a Spartan fuel-up strategy that actually works. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years, through sweat, mud, and a few unfortunate bonks:
The Week Leading Up (Carbs Are Friends, Not Foes)
Carb load 2–3 days out with sweet potatoes, rice, oats, and fruit. Nothing too wild — you’re trying to fill glycogen stores, not carb-coma yourself.
Hydrate early — I aim for 100–120oz/day for a few days before the race, adding electrolytes (like LMNT or Nuun). See Galpin equation for more information.
Sodium is key, especially at altitude. I shoot for 4–5g of sodium daily pre-race, including what I get from food, supplements, and salt tabs.
Fiber and fat down slightly starting 48 hours before the race to avoid any...uh...unwanted surprises on the trail.
Race Day
Pre-race breakfast: Rice cakes, almond butter, banana, honey, and some salt. Easy to digest, gives me fuel without the gut bomb.
Hydration pack with:
LMNT or another strong electrolyte mix
5–6 packets of fuel (Honey Stinger, Skratch chews, or gu packets)
Salt tabs if it’s hot or a mountain course (If not using LMNT)
During the race: Small bites every 30–45 minutes. Just enough to keep the energy up without tanking the stomach.
Supplements I Use
Creatine monohydrate year-round for strength & endurance
Beta-alanine for improved muscular endurance (helps with burpee rage)
Caffeine pre-race or mid-race in low doses
Protein + carbs post-race (you’ll be ravenous, trust me)
I’ve tried racing in ketosis before — during my first Ultra in Tahoe — and let me just say: it sounded cool in theory, but when your legs stop responding at 7,000 feet and you still have 14 miles to go… glucose starts looking very appealing. Lesson learned.
🏋️♂️ How I Train (and How You Can Too)
Over the years, I’ve developed a Spartan Race training system that blends the best of all worlds: strength, endurance, mobility, and obstacle-specific prep — and now I’m putting it into a downloadable training plan you can follow yourself or access through Trainerize.
This isn’t just random circuits or flashy Instagram workouts — it’s structured, scalable, and built from real-world experience.
The plan includes:
✅ Full-body strength & hypertrophy work to build muscle and prevent injury
✅ Cardio sessions that develop your aerobic engine AND your grit
✅ Grip & calisthenics days to prep you for hangs, walls, and carries
✅ Hill work and incline intervals for mountain terrain prep
✅ Mobility & recovery tools so your body holds up (and you actually enjoy the race)
✅ Tapering & peak week support so you’re fresh and ready to crush it
I Don’t Just Race — I Bring the Crew
One of the best parts of all this? I rarely race alone.
Over the years, I’ve brought friends, clients, and most importantly, my wife, along for the madness. We’ve turned races into weekend getaways — from Lake Tahoe to Oahu to Mesquite — and some of my favorite memories come from these trips. Hanging out post-race with medals and muddy shoes, talking about who missed what obstacle or who crushed the bucket carry… that’s what it’s all about.
The festival atmosphere is electric. You’re surrounded by people who are pushing their limits, cheering each other on, and doing something hard — not because they have to, but because they choose to. And honestly, that’s contagious.
🏁 Ready to Take on Your Own Spartan Race?
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a Spartan Race — this is your sign. Whether it’s your first Sprint or your fifth Beast, the right training can make the experience unforgettable (for the right reasons).
💪 You don’t need to be shredded or a lifelong runner.
🥇 You just need a solid plan, a good mindset, and a little help from someone who’s done it — and done it a lot.
I’ve put together a complete Spartan Race Training Program that’s coming soon to Trainerize and available as a one-off downloadable program. Designed for real life, real bodies, and real challenges.
Let’s train smarter, race stronger, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.
Drop your email below on the contact section to get early access when the plan goes live.
Or hit me up if you’re already planning your next race — let’s do it together 🏔️💥
