Meet my friend Nancy. We first met through her sister Lynn who was a member of my running group, Chasing Sanity. Nancy had joined us for runs on occasion. In a REALLY small world connection, when I met these sisters I realized I knew their brother from grade school. I guess that’s what happens when you stay in a town your whole life. Nancy subsequently was my youngest son’s soccer coach so our lives have intertwined many times these past number of years. This past year we have reconnected again over Spartan.

 

In my post titled Be Strong and Courageous I shared my first experience completing a Spartan race. I also shared about the badass woman in my town who rocked that same event, finishing second in the Elite Women Master’s Class that day. That woman was/is my friend Nancy and this is her Spartan story.

 

Nancy is 42 years old and the mother of two kids – Max, 10 and Hailey, 8. She is an Elite Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, OCR Racer, Coach, and Health Awareness Advocate.

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Nancy decided to do her first Spartan race one year after suffering a major soccer injury (Achilles Tendon Rupture) that ended her soccer career. She was yearning to find another sport that had elements of being part of a team, camaraderie, and one that would challenge both her passions of physical and mental strength. She had done many half-marathons and a couple other OCR type races, however, she says it took only one Spartan race to know she had found her place.

 

Her first Spartan race was the brutal Monterey Beast course in 2012 (in her words “when it was still a Beast!”). She is currently wrapping up her 4th year of Spartan racing. She has achieved 3 Trifectas (completing one each of three Spartan distances – Sprint, Super and Beast), and 3 Supers in 2015. This weekend’s Tahoe World Championships Beast will be her 10th Spartan race. She says this one is particularly special as she earned her coin to be part of the coin-holder heat. She knows how tough Tahoe is having completed the course last year and she is excited to make another showing. Nancy plans to conclude this 2016 race season with her 4th Trifecta by end of year.

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I asked Nancy why she races Spartan OCR’s. I’ll let you hear this in her words:

 

“I race Spartan because it makes me feel alive! I love being out in nature exploring, enduring the grind, seeing what I am capable of.  Every race proves to be challenging. Whether it’s the terrain, new or classic obstacles, a twist on a familiar course, the elements, etc. Not one race is ever the same. I also love the physical demands, the grit, the glory and the mental strength to overcome fears and rise up. Most importantly, I race because of the sense of belongingness to the Spartan community. One tough but beautiful crowd of all ages & abilities.”

 

Nancy says she has grown mentally and physically through Spartan racing. She learns something new about herself each time she races. For her, it shines light on these questions: “How well do I cope under pressure? How do I solve a difficult problem/task at hand? What strategies can I use to get through this obstacle?  What did I do well? What could I have done differently that may have changed the outcome? Do I have the mental strength and will to push through muddy waters or uncomfortable situations? Can I pick myself up when it feels near to impossible? Can I overcome physical pain?”

 

For Nancy, the answer to these last three questions is “YES.” She applies these lessons learned in both her personal and professional life.

 

I asked Nancy what she would tell someone who has never done Spartan. Her reply:

 

“You are stronger than you think! Both mentally and physically. There will definitely be moments of doubt. Rely on your confidence, mental strength and physical training to push through and move on. There will be moments of triumph. Celebrate them and keep going!  You will be pushed way past your limits. Embrace it. Endure it and keep going!  Study, train, practice. Then practice some more. That medal will mean a whole lot more to you than you ever thought it would.”

 

Nancy says as a Master Elite racer, she has been fortunate to stand on the podium a handful of times. She said that did not happen for her right away nor with every race. She learned, trained, practiced, and failed obstacles just like many first-time and seasoned Spartan racers. She says this is how you know what you really can endure.

With practice you get better. You get faster. You get stronger. No matter ability level, Nancy says she has the upmost respect for anyone willing to tackle a Spartan race.

 

Nancy Couper, YOU are SPARTAN.

 

#SpartanStrong #AROO

 

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