3 Things I Learnt by doing the Spartan Super in Diablo Grande, CA
- A Group of Strangers united and motivated by a common purpose, can push and help each other acheive Great New heights
(~2000′ Elevation in ~100 degree F, with almost No shade)
Started running a year ago, 2 miles at a time, then progressed to doing 5ks, 1Ok, Half Marathaons and did 2 Marathons this year. Recently started in Obstacle racing(Spartan races) and really got hooked, did the Spartan Sprint in May 14th this year and couple weeks ago did the Spartan Super in Diablo Grande, CA. It’s very special and unique to me on various levels,
It challenged me than any other race I have ever done, why? May be I didnt train enough for a Hill,
racing in that temperature, or not anticipating the difficulty level. but what go me through that was the amazing camaraderie, the support and the energy of Spartans, kept me chugging along and I don’t think I can do that alone.
Lesson Learned: Power of a tribe driven by a common purpose is contagious and can achieve great heights(see 300, Spartans!!!!!:-))
2. Only under extreme circumstances, we realize what is really Important and start to appreciate the little things
Half way through the race, when we were carrying the 50lbs Sandbags up the Hill at > 100 degrees,
when the volunteers yelled, “just go up the hill and you will find the water station”. Hearing that, gave us all a new goal to work towards, at that Moment nothing else mattered, we forgot the pain, all we thought of was, lets climb up the hill and get to that water station, and that water tasted sooo good!!!
you ask anyone in that race, and they will all tell you, that felt like the Ultimate reward:-)
Its only under those extreme conditions, we realize and appreciate those things that we take it for granted.
Lesson Learned: Reframe your problem/challenge in the right context and all of a sudden it may not be that bad as you thought and you will see what is really Important.
3. Opens up our minds and takes us to a whole different plane, where we can see new possibilities
After crossing that finish line, It felt like I have gotten stronger and things that I feared a few months ago,
is not out of reach and gave the confidence to explore 10X of what I have done so far and grateful to have
had that experience.
Lesson Learnt: Do a tiny thing that makes you uncomfortable every day and by end of the month/year, you will
be amazed at how far you have come from where you started.
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