Reebok and The Spartan Race in Times Square

Last Thursday, instead of dressing in my stuffy office clothes and heading off to work, I had the opportunity to roll around in the run in Times Square. Let me explain…

My morning started off with a press conference to kick off Reebok’s new partnership with the Spartan Race with some fellow Fitfluential Ambassadors – Christine, Noelle, Ashley, Ava, Megan, Alfonso, Andre, Meghan

I’ve heard a lot about different obstacle/mud runs in the last few months, but the Spartan Race really blows all of the other races out of the water. The Spartan Race really tests your fitness and if you aren’t able to complete an obstacle, the penalty is 30 burpees…yikes! The Spartan Race has grown exponentially, starting with 1,500 participants in its first year up in Vermont, to over 1.5 million people competing in 60 events worldwide in 2012. Not too shabby for an event that the creators were told that no one would show up to!

This new partnership between Reebok and the Spartan Race will allow for the race to expand even further. The creators of the race have an Olympic dream and want obstacle course racing to be an event in the Olympic games. Something that I would totally watch! Through this partnership, the Spartan Race hopes to bring obstacle racing to new markets around the world and expose people who would otherwise never know that these types of races exist. Reebok is also creating a new line of Spartan Race gear including clothes and shoes, which I am very excited to see! The Spartan Race is also 80% done with building a training course in Vermont, just six miles outside of Killington. I know that I will be visiting this once it opens!

The real fun began when we headed outdoors. There was a 10 obstacle course set up in the heart of Times Square, which was a preview of  the real thing which is taking place in Citi Field in April. The course was not easy! I was hesitant at first, and did not want to roll through the mud, but I figured that I had a change of clothes and when would I ever have the chance to roll in the mud in the middle of Times Square, right?

Another amazing thing about the Spartan Race is the sense of community. It really reminded me of Crossfit. I knew I wouldn’t be able to climb the rope, and was ready to give up and do the burpees when two people on the course ran over and propped me up. I rang the bell on top of the rope and felt so proud! Everyone who completed the course got sent home with some bling, which I proudly wore!

I was honored to be able to compete alongside incredible athletes and amazing people, like the wounded veterans who compete with Team Extreme. Seeing Todd Love, a triple amputee, climb the rope on his own, threw every excuse in the book out the window.

I cannot wait to complete the real thing in April in Citi Field, but until then I need to train or else my butt with be doing way too many burpees!

P.S. My feet made the official Reebok Spartan Race video..check out my fresh new kicks!

Have you ever done an obstacle run?