Congratulations! You have taken the leap and signed up for your first Obstacle Course Race! Don’t panic, you’re going to do great. However, now may be the time to turn up the heat on training. Not only will you need to prepare your body for the challenge ahead, but you also need to know a little more about race day. Elite Personal Trainer and Spartan Certified SGX Coach Nancy Couper has you covered answering some FAQ’s.

With the arrival of summer and fall comes racing season. Marathons (half and full), triathlons, obstacle course races (Spartan, ToughMudder, Rugged Maniac) abound, and if you’re planning to race in one of these, you need to make sure your cardio and your legs are strong enough to get you to the finish line.

Obstacle course races are all the rage at the moment, and with good reason: Few physical endeavors are as grueling. Courses are peppered with various challenges that require total-body strength and muscular and cardiovascular endurance. Since participants don't know what obstacles await, the only way to prepare is to prepare for absolutely anything. This month's workout does just that.