Endurance Events, the intensive side of OCR sports - Part 1: Hurricane Heats

Obstacle course? Experienced it on duty. Civilians do something similar: "OCR" has come across some of you. The acronym stands for "Obstacle Course Racing," which generally refers to obstacle courses outside of classic athletics. Our friends from the DIRT RUN COMPANY introduce you to this sweat-inducing form of active self-entertainment.

The largest and most globally active provider of such races is the Spartan Race founded in the USA by Joe de Sena. The first Spartan Race took place in Vermont in 2010, marking a historic milestone in the development of OCR sports. The race series has since expanded at a rapid pace and continues to evolve.

When Hurricane Irene hit the West Coast of the USA in August 2011, in addition to the destruction caused by such a natural disaster, an involuntary creation emerged, which has since become a permanent part of the OCR world, the so-called "Hurricane Heats." Due to the complete destruction of the race track, the scheduled race had to be cancelled. However, on the race day, around 150 indestructible Spartans arrived to embark on an adventure of a special kind with Joe de Sena. This was the birth of the Hurricane Heats.

Now in 2018, the Endurance sector with the Hurricane Heats is a firm part of the OCR scene. The difference from the "classic" races is basically that it is not about conquering a distance, but about endurance, teamwork, and a bit of creativity in task completion.

Introduction to the Spartan Endurance World: Hurricane Heat

During the big race weekends, Hurricane Heats are often offered. These are designed for a maximum of 80 participants in the European context and serve as an introduction to the Endurance world. A Hurricane Heat always lasts between 4 to 6 hours, characterized by various activities (mostly physical in nature). The two cornerstones of every Hurricane Heat are:

• Burpees

The well-known combination of push-up with jump is often used as a universal tool. A Hurricane Heat without Burpees is not a Hurricane Heat. Someone arrives late or is missing part of the equipment? No problem, everything can be absolved through Burpees.

• The Warrior Ethos

4 lines about camaraderie, determination, and goal achievement:

• I will always place the mission first
• I will never accept defeat
• I will never quit
• I will never leave a fallen comrade

Not knowing the Warrior Ethos fully or partially before participating in a Hurricane Heat is not a big deal. By the end of the first hour, these four lines are usually deeply ingrained in memory. The first hour is usually one of the most formative when experiencing a HH for the first time. This hour consists of a combination of PT (Physical Training) and constantly chanting the Warrior Ethos. Part of the PT always includes Burpees. So basically, the HH starts and you jump right in, mixed with various other classic exercises like Jumping Jacks, Flutter Kicks, Overhead Squats, Jumping Lunges, and more. Yes, the first hour of a HH can look different, but especially in the English-speaking world and Asia, there is a "full-body massage" in the first hour. If you can't continue, you can skip a round or do the exercises less energetically. The Krypteia (the leaders of the HH) usually ensure that everyone works diligently across all performance levels.

After the PT, it often transitions to the teamwork part. Whether in small groups or all together, participants carry/pull/heavy things from A to B or sometimes reach obstacles for the race track. To be better prepared for the various tasks, it is advisable to always supplement the mandatory gear list (announced before the HH and then checked) with at least a multitool, rope, and duct tape. Bulky loads are easier to carry when properly secured or when you can improvise shoulder straps.

However, a HH is not only about the physical aspect. Memory tests are often included. In small groups, participants have to memorize a jumble of numbers and letters within a short period of time. Well, what happens with what you have learned is quite clear. Eventually, it will be tested. Mistakes in reciting are not a problem as there is the universal currency: Burpees.

My experiences as a participant and Krypteia lead me to confidently say: Anyone with a reasonable basic fitness can complete a Hurricane Heat ... basically, if you can do 30 Burpees in a row, you can survive a Hurricane Heat.

The HH12HR - or: also a filtering process

Comparatively, many dare to approach a Hurricane Heat and complete it. The HH12 or "Hurricane Heat 12 Hours" represents the next evolutionary stage in the Spartan Endurance scene. The pace here is usually much more demanding. Those who do not physically meet the tasks can be kicked out by the Krypteia. Missing parts of the mandatory equipment can be absolved by doing Burpees ... a lot of Burpees (it can easily be 300). The goal of the HH12 is not to bring everyone "hand in hand in the group" to the end. Team tasks are mixed here with so-called "Time Hacks." Time Hacks are individual tasks with a simple and clear objective ... the slowest/weakest will be eliminated. In an HH12, besides completing a HH, very good fitness is a basic requirement (reasonably so). The 12 hours are also not a fixed point. The only thing known in advance is that it will last at least 12 hours.

To be "entertained" continuously for 12 hours is already quite a challenge. But it wouldn't be Endurance if one couldn't add more to it. HH12s often start in the evening, which adds additional stress because you are usually prepared for sleep, not physical performance. All of this together creates a demanding mix of military drill, exhaustion with sleep deprivation, causing many to throw in the towel. Those who consider themselves very tough may want to try HH12s in the UK, the USA, or Australia. The Krypteia often consist of former members of special forces (SAS, Rangers & Co). Well, the filling of 12 hours leaves hardly any limits to the imagination.

Endurance Orgasm: the HH24HR

Included in the Spartan Endurance program since 2017, the HH24HR represents another escalation. Essentially the same as the HH12HR but lasting for 24 hours. Currently, a very rare event with the HH24HR conducted in the USA, but definitely on the verge of crossing the Atlantic. Passionate HH participants can look forward to it.

All's Well That Ends Well

Some may wonder, what does it feel like to finish a HH or HH12HR? It is best described as a mixture of pride and exhaustion. Pride because, from the successful participation in a HH, you belong to a tight-knit, almost mystically treated group in the Spartan Race scene, and tired because it is simply exhausting.

For those who want to know more about how it goes down at DIRT RUN COMPANY, there are corresponding experience reports:

- HH12HR in Wiener Neustadt May 11, 2018

- HH Munich April 12, 2018

- Winter HH in Liberec January 20, 2018

- and a very intense HH12HR in the UK from September 2, 2017

If that's not enough, or if your interest in such events has been piqued, stay tuned for the next part of the Endurance introduction. Here we will introduce you to Agoge, the Death Race, and "The Unknown."

SPARTAN RACE on the Internet: www.spartanrace.de

The DIRTRUN COMPANY on the Internet: www.dirtrun.company

Special thanks to Florian!