Gritty. Resilient. Passionate. These are words used to describe Farmcolony’s mighty men, Spartans Greg Prior, Eric Nitzsche, and Matt Hodges, who took part in the recent 2019 Virginia Super and Sprint Spartan Race held October 26-27 at Infinity Downs and Oak Ridge Farm in Nelson County. This is no casual 5K or fun run. The Spartan race is a military-inspired obstacle course combined with trail running that pushes competitors mentally and physically beyond their limits, and then some.
There is mud, water, barbed wire, walls, rope climbs, cargo nets, plus “Spartan-inspired” obstacles such as a spear throw and a fire jump, obstacles designed to test your mental fortitude and physical strength, to rip you from your comfort zone. Mighty men push through it. Greg, Eric and Matt pushed through.
There are several types of races held in the Spartan competition. Greg, Eric and Matt ran the Spartan Super, which is about 8 miles long and has about 25 obstacles. The Spartan Super Race was the second race run that day by Matt who also ran a competitive race in the morning. The competitive category is a middle ground between the open Spartan races and the Elite runners, the mightiest of the mighty. The competitive category provides a stepping stone and measure of progress by which a runner can gauge his or her performance. When competitive runners come close to elite times, they will know they are ready to run Elite.
Spartan is the global leader in obstacle course racing with over 200 events in 42 countries. It is more than a timed obstacle race. It is a NBC Sports series whose competitions are broadcast nationally. It is a philosophy, a community with a training and nutrition program offering daily advice, a podcast, a series of books, activities for kids, workout gear, a media channel, a digital magazine.
It is a state of mind. True Spartans live by these words:
• Spartans push their minds and bodies to their limits.
• Spartans master their emotions.
• Spartans learn continuously.
• Spartans give generously.
• Spartans lead.
• Spartans stand up for their beliefs, no matter the cost.
• Spartans know their flaws as well as their strengths.
• Spartans prove themselves through actions, not words.
• Spartans live every day as if it were their last.
Many people aspire to greatness. Some actually achieve it.