This past weekend I took on the final BIG run I’d be doing before the Spartan Ultra race hits in just a few more weeks

As much as it pains me to say it, I FAILED.

I failed to complete the workout I had planned.

I had to call it quits after mile 13 due to some servers quad cramps.

They were something nasty.

Here was the set up...

2 Mile Run

Everything was feeling great until after the 30 Burpees

I had some Goo’s and a few swigs of water then headed back out for the 2nd 4 mile run.

Then... BOOM!

My right quad locked up.

It locked up so bad I couldn’t even bend my damn leg! LOL

I had to sit down in someone’s front yard.

I pounded on it with my fist a bit to get it to loosen up, but NOTHING…

So I got up and started to hobble back down the hill I just ran up looking like a 87 year old man.

After about 50 yards or so it finally loosened up and I could actually re-bend my knee.

I continued to walk it off a bit and gave it another go.

Made it about 400m and then my left calf decided to lock up right as my right quad locked up again only this time, it was the full quad and my right groin.

I was DONE.

No sense in trying to push through it this week as it’ll only push my prep back even more.

I felt defeated and I felt like a FAILURE.

BUT, I’m NOT a FAILURE…

This is just a small bump in the road.

And instead of beating myself up for it too much, I’m using this as a very important LESSON.

The lesson?

I got a lot of them from this session actually…

#1 - HYDRATE SMARTER

I drink enough water, but I need to make sure I’m getting in the minerals I need as well, mainly magnesium.

Time to start supplementing with an actual magnesium pill.

#2 - PICKLE JUICE

Last week I drank some pickle juice the night before and morning of my training.

Didn’t feel even the slightest twinge last week so I know that helped.

This week, I skipped it to see how I’d feel.

#3 - NO COFFEE

Last week i skipped the coffee.

This week, I had a cup and a half of coffee which I now know is a NO-NO.

Coffee is great, but it will dehydrate you and if I need to be hydrated, can’t have it.

I also had coffee before my race in Colorado and cramped up then as well.

#4 - Chews and Goo’s

I tested out a few different Goo’s and Chew’s for the big race.

I’ll need to have some quick sources of energy when I hit the ULTRA.

I didn’t take any sort of FUEL in until after I hit the first 4 mile run, I know I need to fuel up a bit earlier to ensure I stay energized.

Also, the EXTEND chews I tried were plain NASTY.

No-go on those when I hit the ULTRA.

#5 - FASTING

Last week I hit the 15 mile run up much earlier in the day so I fasted.

I actually felt MUCH better last week VS this week after having a good-sized breakfast earlier.

When I hit the ULTRA, I’ll be starting off even earlier so I’ll plan to hit it fasted as well.

That means the meal I have the night before will need to be nice and hearty :)

Again…

LOTS of lessons to be learned from my FAILURE.

But it’s just like any failure…

Look at it as a LESSON and use it for good.

OR…

Take it as a negative and just see it as a loss.

You'll always grow and get much better looking for the LESSONS.