I’ve noticed more and more Free Athletes are signing up for Hybrid competitions (DEKA, Hyrox, etc.) and OCR events (Spartan, Tough Mudder, …).
This year I decided to dive in too - I’ll be doing my very first DEKA in just one week (!) and a Spartan Race 3 weeks later. For me it’s a completely new challenge. My body is well-conditioned, but I still have worries:
I don’t normally run, and both events include running.
Some Spartan obstacles I’ve never tried before… and a few honestly scare me!
I’d love to hear from you:
Are you training for a competition right now?
Has Freeletics helped you prepare?
What’s your biggest fear, or your best tip for first-timers?
Let’s use this thread to share experiences, training stories, and maybe even race recaps. If you’re curious to see how my journey goes, I’m also posting updates on my Instagram @sofia.in.bcn.
I’m back from an Ultra Spartan Race in the Czech Republic and I’m leaving for two Spartan race weekends, in Saint Raphaël and Barcelona.
I use FREELETICS mainly for divine wods. one to two sessions a week and the third, I do it directly after a running session (free pace). For the rest of the program, run and personal work.
Climbing is essential to improve your body and grip (blocking indoors is enough).
Hyrox, I would like to but, no seats.
Ditto for DEKA, no dates found that suit me..
Looking forward to talking to you on Instagram → AlexandreAlfort
This is awesome and crazy - we are both doing Spartan in Barcelona! Loving it.
I am not anywhere near your level - you’re doing multiple Spartan races a year (including Ultra!). I’ll be doing my very first OCR Race - excited!
However, I think the type of training that I do is pretty much perfect for it:
I also do indoor bouldering. Not lately, as now I switched focus to more HiiT, funtional, calisthenics, and hybrid training, but I did bouldering before and it definitely helped me develop some pullup strength as well as more familiarity and confidence climbing things.
Freeletics and the other types of training that I do helped me develop strength and endurance.
Things I lack:
I don’t do running. This summer I did some running prep for Spartan, although very little. I did a total of 6 runs of between 5 and 6 km each, 2 of them in intervals and 4 continuous. It’s not a lot but it was enough for me to get an idea of my level and what I can do and where I need to improve.
Looking forward to more stories and tips from the community!
Yes, I am training for a competition. Going to Oslo tomorrow and will race my first Hyrox on Saturday. I have been mostly training with my coach in the Ultimate Strength Journey, but have also added some running and joining three Hyrox Simulation classes.
I believe that the consistency has been the key. My general feeling is that I have been stronger at some of the stations in Hyrox, like the wall balls, by my Freeletics training.
As a first timer I am fearing the fatique I will be feeling, and also how to keep my pace down It is a lot about pacing in Hyrox. Staying at a pace that will make you have strength left through the race.
I might have trusted my running a bit too much, feeling that I should have focused more on running, but I know that on flat ground I can keep a rather good pace even though I am tired.
My “Road to Hyrox Oslo” has been covered a bit in my YouTube channel @freeleticsforlife.
Wow, first Hyrox - exciting! I want to see how my DEKA goes (which seems to me like a somewhat easier version of Hyrox?) and see if I want to tackle a Hyrox next too.
100% agree about the pacing and the fatigue, and it’s an opinion I’ve also heard from others. But if you’ve done sims, I think you already know how to pace yourself.
Took me a a couple of minutes to find your youtube channel - it’s @freeathleteforlife, right? Checking it out now!
Have lots of fun and good luck on Saturday in your first Hyrox!
Yes, that’s the correct channel, had to much Freeletics on my mind why I wrote the wrong name
The simulations I have done was good, and I think I’ve learned what pace I could keep. Although those sims has been with 2 minutes rest in between the running and station to change floor. Running and stations had a time cap of four minutes.
I think the simulation I did in my YouTube channel was more of a better test, unfortunately as I got really tired I mentally blame the caffeine
I will try to stay calm and not run too fast at the first 1km. Still it’s a great opportunity to run a bit faster to get a better time, but in the end I think that running too fast in the beginning will make me more tired at the end.
I’ve been chatting to a seasoned Hyrox competitor I know, and he recommended to go easy on caffeine and have a max of one coffee 1 hr before the race and only if you already drink it every morning. It’s going to be hard for me as I’m used to at least 2 coffees each morning
On running too fast at the first km, he also suggested something - do not go fast in the beginning and do not let other competitors make you change your running pace. Go smooth in the first stations as well. You can go faster in the followings stations if you have the energy. Do not go all-in at the stations as it’s better to have the endurance left for the run rather than start a run exhausted…
I am sharing these tips with you and at the same time revising them for myself for tomorrow
I don’t drink coffee why caffeine probably hit me harder than for others. Wanted to try Redbull out as it’s the sponsor and what will be available at the race. I have a plan with gels instead, and water.
Pace is so important in Hyrox, and I will do my best to keep calm and not rush it.
I finally did my first hybrid race - DEKA Fit Barcelona.
I can say that it was not as brutal as I imagined. Freeletics training is a good base for it, and even better if you combine it with some other disciplines.
If anyone is considering, or at least was curious about hybrid races (DEKA, Hyrox, etc.) at some point - I would highly recommend doing it. I think it can be a great motivation. DEKA is very accessible in terms of fitness level. You really don’t need to be a pro to do it - you can just go at your own pace!
Loving it.
It is a lot about pacing in Hyrox. Staying at a pace that will make you have strength left through the race.
Checking it out now!
