Last week, I read a fabulous article describing the difference between a wish and a goal.
A Goal Without a Plan is just A Wish – Shona, WodPrep
I immediately thought about my recent race experience and my goal to join the Trifecta Tribe by completed the race. Although I wasn’t sure if it was realistic, my actual goal was to do the Beast in approximately 6 hours. Of course, if you don’t work on being fast, you cannot expect to be fast on race day. After all, we get good at what we practice, and I had practiced moving at hiking/backpacking pace. So, although I knew I could go the distance, it was certain that I would not do it in under 6 hours. Then there were the obstacles.
As for the plan, I wasn’t exactly following a plan. Although I certainly I only had a rough idea of what I would face on race day, my “plan” was only in my head. In my head, the extent of my plan was simply to do what I could in order to get strong and more agile, develop grip strength and the ability to hang from my hands. Running wise, I knew what it would take but just didn’t make time for it even though I knew that the course would be mountainous and long. Instead, I hiked and told myself that I was developing endurance and put off doing the work of actual running.
Now I have no excuse; I know what I can expect from the Spartan Sprint, Super and Beast. I know the obstacles which cause me to take penalty burpees: Monkey Bars, Multi-rig, Twister, and Spear Throw. I also know the obstacles which I always need to get help with: Walls & Hurdles, and the Olympus. And although I don’t have access to walls or the rigs listed to gain these skills, I can work more diligently and smartly on the body movements and strength these obstacles require.
It’s time to plan and execute. Five weeks until the Spartan Stadium Sprint at AT&T Park (San Francisco). Aroo!!
As expected, Spartan dished out an 
Fortunately, Lil Sis and I had the pleasure of navigating the course alongside Jen and George, two seasoned Spartans. Between the four of us, we each took turns overcoming challenges unique to us (e.g. constricted breathing, leg cramps, increased back pain). We also took turns spewing forth expletives. As a result, we each found ways to support one another at various times along the 13+ mile trek (with over 3500 feet elevation gain). George, however, gets the award for literally and repeatedly letting all of us gals walk all over him – in an effort to get over the walls. I clumsily leaped over the 
Yet, for reasons I cannot explain, I did not process my deferral and continued to search the web regularly for hotels at a reasonable distance from the start – just in case. So, when Jen and George, two of my biggest Spartan inspirations, reached out to me about the upcoming race, it didn’t take much for them to talk me back into going for it. You could even say that I was secretly hoping for it.
