Giveaway: Reebok Spartan Race Registration

**Giveaway Closed! Congratulations to Jane Thompson, winner of the free race registration for any 2014 Reebok Spartan Race in the continental United States! Email me at runlikeabird@gmail.com for your race code, Jane!**

Running just ain't what it used to be.

I imagine the wiry old grandfather types in my running group saying that, sometimes, while we're gaining serious elevation on Cougar Mountain in a downpour. As a fairly new runner, I can't add much to the conversation, but I have to admit that color runs and obstacle courses weren't featured on my Facebook news feed prior to 2010.

Suddenly, photos of my friends in bright shades of faux Ray-Bans with pigmented cornstarch splotches from head to toe were popping up everywhere.

http://www.colormerad.com/photos

Completely ruined running shoes were sodden with mud, and my friends' bloodied knees and fierce poses made epic profile pictures. Running was a-changin'.

http://toughmudder.com/

There's a certain intrigue to running a little different. (Just google "Beat the Blerch"!)

Non-timed color runs (like Color Me Rad) draw in oodles of people who love the idea of a non-competitive fun run. The post-race photo ops make running the 5k seem like a surmountable goal for someone who hasn't attempted a run since the humiliation of the 7th grade fitness test (or is that just me?). Mud runs and obstacle courses take it in a different direction, drawing the daredevils and challenge-seekers who want to be mildly electrocuted while jumping over burning debris and then chased by a moose. I might've added that last one, but moose are freaking scary.

So far in my very short running career, I haven't yet signed up for an obstacle course or mud run. I've said it's because I'm wary of ruining my running shoes (and as a teacher on a budget, I work on making 'em last), but part of me felt like I just wanted to master the basic race before moving onto new challenges.

Well, friends, if you're in the same boat as me, this might be the sign you've been looking for!

In conjunction with the release of their new All-Terrain Series race shoe, Reebok is hosting a tour of Spartan Races across the country. These races come in levels for all athletic abilities, from the Spartan Sprint (3 miles, 10+ obstacles) to their extreme level Death Race. Okay, Reebok. Challenge accepted.

If you've been looking for a nudge to finally sign up for a race that will challenge you physically and perhaps wreck at least one item of your wardrobe, Reebok has generously sent me a giveaway for race registration for any "open heat" (non-confirmed start time) Reebok Spartan Race event in 2014 (in the continental US).

For a list of locations (and the variation of the race hosted at each one), click here.

Want To Win?

All you need to do is comment below with the reason you want to flex your Spartan muscles at a race this year. The winner will be randomly selected from the comments below on Sunday, April 6th (please comment prior to noon, PST). Winner will be posted by 6pm that same day. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Not willing to wait?

Use the code "SpartanST" to get 15% off any qualifying race registration.