Spartan Up‪!‬

"A must read for anyone looking to take his performance to the next level, be it in athletics or in life." —Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and New York Times–bestselling author of Ultra Marathon Man

What do marathoners do when 26.2 miles just isn't enough anymore? They try obstacle racing, combining the endurance challenges of a marathon with the mind- and body-bending rigors of overcoming obstacles along the way. At the heart of this phenomenon is Joe De Sena, the driving force behind the Spartan Race. De Sena overcame his own obstacles—working his way from Queens to Wall Street to legendary extreme athlete—by adhering to a simple philosophy: commit to a goal, put in the work, and get it done. From that philosophy, as played out now for millions across trails, through mud, and up mountainsides, the Spartan Race was born.


Filled with unforgettable stories of Spartan racers as well as hard-won truths learned along the course, Spartan Up! will help you reach your full potential in whatever you set out to do.


"Succinct, powerful and relevant." —Ian Adamson, world champion adventure racer and author of The Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing

"[A] must-read." —Robyn Benincasa, world champion adventure racer and New York Times bestselling author of How Winning Works

"Spartan Up! will guide you to train your body and mind for the arduous Spartan Race—while also giving you very practical insights to perform at your peak in all areas of your life." —Mark Divine, founder, SEALFIT and author of The Way of the SEAL and Unbeatable Mind