So. This is the year. I've wanted more than a few years to get this big bad accomplishment done.

Spartan Races has three different types. The Sprint (3+ miles), The Super (8+ miles) and The Beast (12+ miles). Completing a Trifecta is finishing all three races in one calendar year. I've done plenty of Sprints and more than a few Supers, but no Beast. (I've done a similar length/style run at the NJ Tough Mudder).

There are a few obvious races that you can tackle in the tri-state area to complete your trifecta. Tuxedo hosts a two weekend/four race day Sprint. There is a Super in Vernon, NJ in October and a Super/Sprint coming up near the Poconos.

However, I've waited a little long to get into shape. WAY too long. There's a multitude of reasons (lazy), but regardless, I won't be ready for Tuxedo this year.

And I'm ok with that. I've run the Tuxedo Sprint every year for five years. I've gone up and down that mountain WAY more times than I care to remember, and I'm kinda over it. I want to see some new terrain.

So, with that said, I'm going to be running two Spartans in August. My Super is going to be in Massachusetts on Aug. 14, and I'm running my Sprint down near Washington DC on Aug. 28. The biggie, the Beast, will be down in Dallas in October.

I wanted to leave the longest race for last. I REALLY need to do a lot of work before I'm ok with that distance and exertion.

My expectations are pretty mild. I think the Super is gonna kick my butt, the Sprint is going to be fun and fast, and the Beast down in Texas is going to be a grueling affair. But they're Spartan Races. That's the way they're supposed to work.

As far as preparations, I'm starting to run a lot more and I'm doing a program called Freeletics. This isn't an endorsement; just me saying what I'm doing to get in better shape. I like the idea of body weight exercises and constantly pushing to do my best, which is what the Freeletics app does. Plus, anything that features as many burpees as Freeletics does is only going to help when it comes to running a Spartan. I'm not looking to muscle up, thanks to workouts. I just want to get into better shape OR, as the title should imply, Get Fit And Don't Die.

So, anyone else prepping for some OCR's? Have you planned your trifecta? What are you doing to get ready for it?

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