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Spartan Up! An interview with Spartan Race founder and author Joe De Sena

In case you hadn't heard, Joe De Sena, founder of the Spartan race series, has a book coming out next week about how to be hardcore (and other stuff too, judging from the lengthy title):


I little while ago I got a chance to conduct a mini-interview with De Sena via email about the upcoming book (and other stuff too) and today seems like a good time to post it since his book comes out next week and I'm running the Tough Mudder in a few hours (which we talk about very briefly in the interview).

I've looked into the Spartan Race series but haven't attempted one yet. Perhaps after reading this book I'll be inspired.

Anyway,  check out the book when it hits the shelves and (more importantly) check out this little interview:


Zach: What sets the Spartan races above and beyond other similar races (Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, etc)? (Aside from the Spartan Death Race - the answer there is obvious). (aside) if you haven't heard of the Spartan Death Race check it out... the url is www.youmaydie.com, so that says a little bit about it...

Joe: We don't consider those other races competition. The general public who has not competed in all of them would not know, but those who have know that Spartan Race is more like the Special Forces or the Olympics. The others are more like going to a carnival and party. (aside #2) I agree that the Warrior Dash is a lot like a moving carnival. I'm running the Tough Mudder Chicago today so we'll see how this one compares.

Zach: If you could only do ONE exercise to stay in shape for the next year, what would that be and why?

Joe: The burpee…or Bikram yoga or both…super healthy exercises. Burpees just suck…but you have to look past that for the benefits.

Zach: My uncle is an ultramarathoner so I have some insight into this strange world, but what is the draw behind these races (and particularly the draw behind doing three of them in one week, which you did)?

Joe: Pushing yourself beyond your limits. 99.9% of people don’t push far enough..so take the chance..because you might be surprised how far you can go.

Zach: What is the most hardcore event currently in existence?

Joe: The Death Race. The Death Race is a test of spiritual, mental and physical will of the participant.

Zach: And is there any event that currently exists that you think is just TOO hardcore?

Joe: Base jumping.

Zach: Regarding the book - which section is most personal to you?

Joe: Anything about my mom..super spartan she was.

Zach: Why did now feel like the right time to write this book?

Joe: I have been writing it for 30 years..but now someone wants to listen :)

So there you have it - a little mini-interview with a super hardcore individual, who also happens to be a super successful businessman and now an author. Judging from the blurbs and excerpts on his website this should be a pretty interesting book. Hoping to snag a copy and have a review up on this blog in a few weeks... and now off to the Tough Mudder to find out if it's hardcore or hardcarnival.
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