Spartan Up Podcast – SPARTAN ATHLETE – Kevin Gillotti Multi-Sport Racer Endurance Athlete

Kevin Gillotti Multi-Sport Racer Endurance Athlete

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Spartan Up Podcast – SPARTAN ATHLETE

#spartanATHLETE – Spartan Up Podcast Episodes hosted by Kevin Gillotti

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

Kevin Gillotti - Spartan Up Podcast - SPARTAN ATHLETE

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A montage of every @spartan Tahoe race from the 1s

A montage of every @spartan Tahoe race from the 1st in '15 to the last one in '19. Did you even know that in '15 we had a Sprint? #ifyouknowyouknow
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This is a tough course. This is a tough race. It can be brutally tough weather. But as long as you're geared up, do your weather checks & put on the proper mindset... it's all doable.
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I've been racing in Tahoe since before Spartan. I didn't think I'd be coming back this year because in all honesty, I'm pretty much over Tahoe. There's only so many ways you can race that mountain & you're just covering the same shit over & over. 𝘉𝘜𝘛.. I feel as stoked to race this race this year as I've felt in years. I believe it's because after 8wks of trying to settle my body, get into a consistent groove & adapt to my new altitude, I'm finally in a rhythm & feeling #raceready for a 13.6 mi, no H²o obstacle, 4,000 ft of gain grinder in what has the "potential" to be ideal race weather. But as w/ any mountain, you just never know what it's going to hand you race day... because #mountainsdontcare about your feelings, needs or wants. #letsrace
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🔊#itsalifestyle #bringit #dotoughshit #squawvalley #spartannac2021 #laketahoe #olympicvillage #palisadestahoe #tahoe #spartan #spartan2021 #spartanusns2021 #spartanrace #spartanathlete #spartanagegroup #ocrAG #spartanmbas #spartanpro #southlaketahoe #beunbreakable #obstaclecourseracing #goals #nationalchampionship #activeasfuck #spartanbeast 0088 🇺🇲 #ꓘG

A big race week for many this week, so I'm utilizi

A big race week for many this week, so I'm utilizing my W¹ to work the 6 keystone parts of a @spartanrace.
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→ ʀᴜɴ (speed & endurance)
→ ʟɪғᴛ (atlas, hoist, tire flip...)
→ sᴘᴇᴀʀ (wreaks the most havoc)
→ ɢʀɪᴘ (multirigs, monkey bars, twister, beater...)
→ ᴄᴀʀʀɪᴇs (farmers, log, atlas...)
→ ᴛʀᴀɴsɪᴛɪᴏɴs (carry your speed in/out of every obstacle)
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If you want to be the best you can, you MUST excel at all of these parts. IMO, you're better off being marginally good at all, than being amazing at 1 or 2. Just those won't get you standing on a podium. And let's be frank, that is always a goal. So remember, you'll utilize these parts, in various orders & amounts, over & over throughout the race. But you WILL encounter them. Even in ways you may not consider. For example, an otherwise benign 8' wall is grip + lift + run + transition all in 1 obstacle.
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#itsalifestyle #traintorace #knowingishalfthebattle #beskilledatmanythings #jackofalltrades #masterofnone #ocr #functionaltraining #hiitworkouts #functionalfitness #hiittraining #hiit #streetparking #obstacletraining #keephammering #activeasfuck #goals #goalsetting #griptraining #gripstrength #workoutmotivation #spears #trainingmotivation #spearthrow #javelin #ocrAG #spartanmbas #spartanathlete #spartan2021 #ꓘG

A '20 winter ascent (vs) a '21 Summer ascent (vs)

A '20 winter ascent (vs) a '21 Summer ascent (vs) a '21 Fall ascent. The key differences; proper gear (no @veejay_jones an 1860s moth eaten wool sweater & weight lifting gloves won't cut it) & a proper beard. Otherwise, it's the same end result; bagging peaks!
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Okay okay, there are [obviously] other 2ndairy differences. Most notably IMO; 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 & 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. It's probably the biggest deciding factors between ascents (next to said gear). In summer & fall, anyone & everyone can/does get out & (attempt) to bag peaks. BUT commiting to it in the winter, irrespective of gear, that takes a whole different mindset & legit mental step up in terms of prep for the slow slog, winds, white-outs, elevated risk, longer duration, shorter daylight, higher calorie burn & yeah, the undeniable brutal fucking cold.
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Can you hack them both? Or does the cold version make your sphincter pucker w/ apprehension while the summer/fall versions make you feel capable, comfortable, warm & fuzzy? Personally, I'll attack either thank you. #bringit #notscared
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#itsalifestyle #cliffhanger #themountainsdontcare #seasons #whateverittakes #baggingpeaks #peakbagging #findyourmountain #mountainview #mountainman #skyrunner #skyrunning #mindset #gearjunkie #alwaysgohigh #abovetreeline #mountains #coloRADo #frontrange #trailrun #trails #keephammering #optoutside #beardgang #solitude #rockymountainhigh #beskilledatmanythings #ꓘG

I finally have the room & setup to make my own non

I finally have the room & setup to make my own non-permanent modular @spartan [tyrolean] traverse obstacle. So today, I got my rope section, seized the rope ends into eye loops & set about gettin after it. Even w/ out & back passes.
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Although the traverse is relatively rare & typically only seen in a Beast or an Ultra, I've always really liked it & I've never had trouble with it. As a matter of fact, I can smoke the traverse. I may have a permanent burn scar on my right achilles area because of my preferred method, but no matter as the method you see here is the method I use every time irrespective of weather or conditions. In fact, this is the method I used in both Super races at the 2019 UWC in Sweden (& TWC in Greece the weekend before) in the dark, in the freezing cold, twice. And IMO, it's the absolute fastest possible way & is far less risky & taxing than the awkward leg switch walk method. And GTFOH with that top rope military crawl method 🤣
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I also broke out my custom DIY @savagerace "anchors away" grips & worked on those today. It's another tricky (until you get the 'hang' of it) obstacle much like the @f5rce Gibbons I recently posted.
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#itsalifestyle #traverse #holdfast #tyroleantraverse #cliffhanger #traintorace #strategy #griptraining #grip #gripstrength #gripitandripit #sendit #fullsend #obstacletraining #obstaclecourseracing #specificity #obstaclecoursetraining #functionaltraining #anchorsaway #garageworkout #garagegymlife #garagegym #handstrength #carpediem #donttreadonme #staythecourse #activeasfuck #ꓘG

I captured a nasty ankle twist last Sunday on vid

I captured a nasty ankle twist last Sunday on vid descending a 13er w/ 52min left to go. I just kept filming, tho it hurt like a motherfucker. BUT at the same time, it was a perfect teaching moment & proof I live by a theory I've promoted & stated publicly for decades; WHEN YOU TWIST AN ANKLE - KEEP FUCKING MOVING! Watch & listen, it's $$$👍
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This vid should act as proof that I put my 🤑 where my👅is. It's not my nature to just make shit up for fun. I'll leave that to the theoretical book read 'athletes'. I enjoy passing on the decades of info I've mentally accumulated over 1000s of athletic experiences in all manor of conditions & terrains that's been proven to me to work. I couldn't care less if people clown me or call BS because I'm actually living it + it's valuable to pass on as it might benefit people open to listening.
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But why did I twist my ankle? It wasn't because I wasn't paying attention. Far from it. I was aware of everything that was going on around me. Some that follow me have noticed (except in snow) I never train/race in socks. Socks are an unnecessary, overrated piece of luxury gear. But unfortunately, in some shoes, it can mean sweat builds up, it gets wet & if I don't tighten down my speed laces, my wet foot slides inside a shoe that gripped fine. That's it. That's what happened. Simple & dumb, but nothing I can't account for. It wasn't laziness or lack of attention. But my method, saved the day. Again. PS - on Mon, I was 100% fine. As seen in the 90# up steps mattress carry I posted in my stories.
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🔊🔊#itsalifestyle #talkaboutitbeaboutit #twistedankle #keepmovingforward #dontstop #noexcuses #throwbackthursday #tbt #ankleinjury #beunbreakable #mindset #athlete #competitor #wildernessathlete #activeasfuck #mountainview #mountainman #findyourmountain #13er #teachingmoment #carpediem #optoutside #skyrunning #skyrunning #alwaysgohigh #rockymountains #ꓘG

You have to cross the finish line to get in the me

You have to cross the finish line to get in the medal line because it's only 1 at a time & you won't be 1st if you fall behind & getting behind will rattle around in your mind because some dude punked you from behind right at the line which makes you want to blow out your mind as you were blind & didn't pay attention to the man coming from behind you who was on the grind & now it's your ego you find on the ground left behind but none of that can happen if you don't... finish the rope climb.
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#itsalifestyle #kickthebell #ringthebell #activeasfuck #ropeclimb #everysecondcounts #dontgetleftbehind #staythecourse #hiitworkouts #hiittraining #hiitcardio #hiit #functionaltraining #obstacletraining #spear #spearthrow #javelin #rhymes #rapper #poetry #poet #rhyme #mindset #whiterapper #letsrace #spartanathlete #longhair #tattoos #donttreadonme #ꓘG / @spartan @realjoedesena /

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔. It just took a hell of a lot longer than I expected to feel 'em.
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Honestly, it started to become frustrating seeing how long it was taking me to dig myself out of this hole. But after 6wks of grinning & bearing lack luster training & race performances, abysmal RHR + recovery + sleep metrics, living 24/7 in a determination mindset & just staying the course, I've recently seen/felt several signs I'm turning a corner & 'possibly' on the way to finally leveling out.
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This past week I've had the best metrics (sleep, RHR, recovery) since moving. I feel a bit more snap in my legs & a bit less fatigue in my cardio. Less restless sleeps. I'm finding maintainable gears in training. I KNEW the tide would turn. I KNEW I just had to ride it out. I just DIDN'T know how long it would take. Friday's gold standard 5x (5x5) run/bike workout really solidified my interpretation of the this weeks feelings. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm cautiously optimistic the tide has taken a turn.
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#itsalifestyle #staythecourse #grinandbearit #perseverance #determination #traintorace #turnthetide #consistency #whateverittakes #duathlontraining #triathlontraining #duathlon #triathlon #runbike #multisportathlete #enduranceathlete #coloRADo #keephammering #noexcuses #mindset #intervaltraining #bikelife #iamspecialized #specializedbikes #runfast #motivation #breakthrough #patience #activeasfuck #ꓘG

It's not uncommon to see people doing grip work on

It's not uncommon to see people doing grip work on IG in prep for OCR racing make a point of skipping available grip holds. I feel there's a few flaws in this training approach. You don't skip leg day, so why skip grips 🤣
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1) doing this in training is radically different than doing it in racing & might build a layer of confidence not achievable in a real world scenario. In fact, most people can't pull it off in racing. But, they can pull it off when they're training, aren't fatigued, have a low HR, aren't covered in mud & haven't been going hard for 90mins.
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2) if you're "training" & you're doing grip "training" I don't see the benefit in skipping a grip. Isn't the point to be... training the grip? So shouldn't you really be grabbing MORE grips than you would normally to build confidence, forearm & grip strength? Yes.
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3) The ROI for skipping grips, I feel, is very low. The risk is too high for failure & that leads to a far bigger downside (burpees + associated fatigue & huge time loss) than the benefit of 2.27sec gained by skipping grip holds.
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#itsalifestyle #multirig #traintorace #strategy #griptraining #grip #gripstrength #gripitandripit #sendit #fullsend #obstacletraining #obstaclecourseracing #stairwaytoheaven #specificity #obstaclecoursetraining #functionaltraining #hiitworkouts #garageworkout #garagegymlife #garagegym #handstrength #carpediem #donttreadonme #holdfast #staythecourse #tattoosleeve #activeasfuck #ꓘG

Is a day really well spent if you're not taking st

Is a day really well spent if you're not taking steps forward? Making progress towards some goal - small, medium or large?
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3x for time (W¹):
-1km dirt road run*
-2x hoist (upside/downside)
-2x spears
-5x log carry steps
-3x sled pulls
*Negative split the run each R
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Getting "tasks" done & feeling like I'm moving the life ball down the field is paramount to my mental health & sanity. Stagnancy kills. Maybe not literally, but figuratively. It kills your soul, your motivation, your happiness, your self-worth. The quickest way to feel like shit mentally & physically? Accomplish nothing & make no "progress" in the day. That's scary shit 😬
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#itsalifestyle #movementislife #mentalhealth #selfworth #traintorace #functionaltraining #hiitworkouts #functionalfitness #hiittraining #hiit #taskmaster #streetparking #obstacletraining #logcarry #tattoos #keephammering #activeasfuck #productivity #perspective #progress #goals #goalsetting #workoutmotivation #trainingmotivation #spearthrow #javelin #spartanathlete #strength #runnersofinstagram #ꓘG / @ring /

Grinding my teeth & pushing into my lactate thresh

Grinding my teeth & pushing into my lactate threshold today on the bike (you'll see). I was momentarily gassed at the end of the ±17mi 1st climb as I picked it up for a strong final push from the Ward stop sign, around the switchback, to the P2P HWY. And I wasn't even done yet.
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So on Wed I earned 1500' of ∆ working up to 8,500' on a trail run. Yesterday I earned 1000' of ∆ heading up to 11,500' on another trail run. And today, I earned 4442' of ∆ reaching 10,166' on the bike. Nearly doubling (in 1 ride) both of those run totals.
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Back on 8.23.20, I covered the Left Hand Canyon climb from HWY 36 to Ward (Peak to Peak HWY intersection) in 2:03:59 hitting max watts of 445 & a max descent speed of 39.7mph. Today, in virtually identical conditions, I accomplished the same ride in 1:55:24 & used only 424w, but maxed my speed out at 45.6mph on the 20mi bomb down from Brainard Lake. That part = peaceful & serene.
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#itsalifestyle #earnednotgiven #nodaywasted #finishstrong #optoutside #coloRADo #findyourmountain #boulder #iamspecialized #specializedbikes #sworks #specializedvenge #bikeporn #cyclinglife #cycling #keephammering #paincave #alwaysgohigh #lactatethreshold #bikelife #bike #cyclingphotos #sufferfest #cyclist #roadbike #tattoos #sundayfunday #findyourmountain #brainardlake #ꓘG

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