Powered by Hylete Preferred Pricing

THERMOPYLAE is an official endorser of HYLETE performance apparel and has become "powered by HYLETE". As a benefit, you are eligible for a "powered by HYLETE" Athlete account.

• Visit HYLETE.com/pbh (HYLETE.com/pbh) to create your 20% off account.
• Receive 50% off your first purchase.
• Select "THERMOPYLAE" as your referred by.

Thermopylae Review 2015 - Mackenzie

Thermopylae; the battle in which an enumerable amount of Persians opposed a mere 300 Greeks. While the Thermopylae obstacle course race may not consist of students attacking each other, the concept is similar. Each year, hundreds of students, teachers and volunteers gather at Valley Creek School, where they are faced with obstacles that they must conquer to successfully complete their conquest. Much like in real battle, the myriad of obstacles are anything but simple (while being immeasurably fun, as well!). You must crawl through mud-pits, execute war-machines, hurdle over walls and much more, all while completing an approximate 5k run.

In spite of this daunting description, every competitor leaves having completed the course. Just as many greek cities united to aid Sparta, despite their perpetual rivalry, adversaries dismiss their desire to win in order to support others. Even when you may believe that you are unable to continue, someone will be there to motivate you and encourage you to persevere. In fact, the most successful competitors are those who advance steadfastly, while also inspiring others; very much like the minuscule greek army, that battled until they were no longer able. It is in these trying moments that a person’s true character is revealed. Whether your goal is to win the tire  (A.K.A. the trophy, of sorts) for your school, or simply to surpass your personal best, you will leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment (as well as layers of caked dirt).

Despite the loss of the battle by the greek, the intransigent courage shown by the Spartans boosted the morale of all who fought with them. The importance of leaders and teamwork can’t be emphasized enough, today especially. The leader and the creator of this event is the marvellous Mr.Maher. He serves as a constant role-model and motivator, but could certainly lead rigorous training sessions for the Spartans, as well. He works incredibly hard year-round, particularly leading up to the event, in order to put into action the Thermopylae and prepare each athlete. Jim Rohn once said, “A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.”; Mr.Maher has definitely attained this objective.

The Thermopylae is a phenomenal event that tests your abilities, encourages a healthy lifestyle and provides you with a reason to roll around in mud! In addition to the amount and the size of the mud pits growing each year, the size and success of the event is greatly increasing. This year, 14 schools attended, bringing over 800 athletes. I have competed for three years and can say that simply participating in the race is something to be proud of.

Body Flow Workout/Flexibility (Darebee)

Reclaimer Workout (Darebee)

Thermopylae Race Review - Reagan - July 2015

The Thermopylae race is an annual event that occurs in June of every school year. It is a roughly 5k obstacle course that consists of various stations that competitors have to overcome. Some obstacles include mud pits, war machines, urpees, military crawl, skipping, hurdle type obstacles, hill runs, squats, elevated mountain climbers, and much more. The ultimate goal is to finish the race in the least amount of time with the greatest amount of mud possible! You parade your mud proudly as a badge of honour! I can hear our mother’s collective groan!

Each year the race has increased incrementally in size with 14 schools (over 800 athletes) adding to our numbers this year. Camaraderie is wide spread and infectious, opposing competitors encourage each other during weak periods either with a helping hand or a “you can do it”, even though they may be ready to collapse themselves! The race ends where it began amid the cheers of spectators. Participants record their times in hopes of achieving personal bests. Goals for each competitor vary, with some striving for record times, while others goals may be simply to complete the race. Whatever your goal may be you should feel pride in participating.

An award is given for fastest time recorded for both boys and girls. The times of all competitors for individual schools are compiled and then divided by the number of participants. The school with the best time is awarded the glorious Thermopylae Mud Tire Trophy to display proudly for the remainder of the year, until the next rivalry. 

The race was recorded this year with the use of a Go Pro. I was lucky enough to be the one chosen to sport the camera on my chest. Although I forgot to clean off the lens after the mud pits, we achieved some pretty good footage. During the run I pretty much forgot I was wearing it and was unaware how much encouragement I was giving other competitors, All this encouragement earned me the “Thermopy-Me” award, which is a new award, presented to the competitor with the most spirit.

So my advice to you is, don’t let the length intimidate you!

“If you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; and if you can’t crawl, your teammates will carry you!” A very wise man told me that --- Thanks Mr. Maher.

The feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment boosts your spirits and makes you feel like you can achieve whatever you set out to do! The mud is just an added benefit, and makes for some really great pictures.

Many thanks to our sponsors who made this event possible: Hylete, Momentum Watches, Orange Theory Fitness, Calgary Co-Op, Costco Beacon Hill, Safe Guard, Muscle Milk, Big Chief, Promixx, the Running Room, and many more! 

Conditioning Training Review - Reagan - July 2015

Thermopylae conditioning commences at the beginning of each year and generally occurs twice a week, until the Thermopylae race in June. Training consists of 60-90 minutes of various circuit drills; the number of participants varies depending on personal preference, or schedule conflicts.

A typical session may involve weights, skipping, activities with tires (yes I said tires), crash mat exercises, cardio, and endurance, all within a specified time allotment. Cool down consists of stretching and discussions. Each sessions targets different muscle groups. Workouts throughout the year get progressively more intense, but since your body is adapting and strengthening, the workouts seem achievable. You start to notice definitions in muscles you may not have noticed before, you gain confidence, you can rock your Lulu’s!

I always found conditioning was a stress reliever at the end of a hectic school day. Not only did it work my body, but also it cleared my mind. You forge friendships with like-minded people in various grades resulting in a stronger school community. One can never have enough friends! Come out and join us next year, your Lulu’s will thank you!

Dead Head (Phone Pole) Beach Workout - July 7, 2015

So, sometimes your surrounding lend themselves to fitness/exercise.  In this case, the location that I was at had a "deadhead" or partially floating log.  The log had been submerged for some amount of time and as a result was partially afloat and partially sunken.  It posed a bit of a risk to swimmers, my children included so myself and another gentleman pulled it out to where you see it here.  It stayed there for a few days before it was towed out.  I took the opportunity to use it to train on the second day.

Dead Head Program
- Three sets 20 reps or failure

DeadHead Shoulder Presses
DeadHead Squats (Hold the log in a controlled position at chest height facing it straight on)
DeadHead Tricep Press/Arnold Press (Elbows in)
DeadHead Sumo Squats
DeadHead Bent Over Row
DeadHead Jump Overs
DeadHead Returns (Drag/carry the dry end back into the lake and then return it to the beach)

Hulk Buster Summer Beach Workout - July 6, 2015

Hulk Buster Beach Workout

Sand Squat Jumps - 20
Sand Lunges - 20/s
Sand Mountain Climbers - 60

Wave Run - from surf line to chest deep and back again twice

Sand Jumping Jacks - 60
Sand Plank Jacks - 60
Sand Push Ups - 20

Wave Run - from surf line to chest deep and back again twice

Picnic Table Dips - 60
Picnic Table Decline Push Ups - 20
Picnic Table Squat Jumps - 20

* Repeat program for 2 - 4 sets

Pickup Truck Workout (Weight Circuit) - July 4, 2015

Pickup Up Workout using adjustable dumbbells, body weight and the bed of a pick up truck.

Each exercise was done for a minimum of 8 reps and a maximum of 20 reps.  Any exercise done over 10 reps and finished at 20 had a 10 second static (not moving) rest and then an additional 5 "burn out" repetitions of the same exercise.  

Ex. 20 push ups, hold in push up position for 10 seconds and then finish out with 5 more pushup.

Alternating Bicep Curl

Shoulder Press

Tricep Extension

Weighted Squat

Bent Over Flyes

Truck Bed Dips

Truck Bed Pushups

Hylete Serenium Shorts Review by Reagan

I want to start off by saying I love these shorts!  I have been using the Hylete Serenium shorts for training for the upcoming Mud Hero 6K obstacle race, which is taking place in Red Deer this August. 

I always thought my preference was for the form fitting “booty shorts”, but quickly changed my mind after wearing the Hylete shorts for 2 or 3 training sessions. 

The material is soft and silky, yet durable enough to withstand hard-core workouts. These shorts do not rub or hike when running, while the additions of well-placed pockets with zippers can easily hold a phone or iPod when training.  

The Hylete Serenium shorts would flatter any body type. The placement of the side seems create an illusion effect of being slimmer, which serves to increases one’s personal confidence. They are also not too revealing in the back end! 

I would highly recommend these shorts for training, or even just recreational personal use. They can easily fit into anyone’s athletic wardrobe. These shorts have become a “go to” for me whsen training.

http://www.hylete.com/serenium-flex-knit-zip-pocket-3-short-black-shocking-pink.html 

TRX Summer 2

Brought out the TRX booklet today for some program inspiration.  Did all of the following to fatigue and two sets!

TRX Force Workout (July 3, 2015)

Force Workout
Using a variety of anchor points (some more creative than others), complete all workouts.  If you do not have a TRX, Jungle Gym, or other suspension training system, you can put something together pretty easily using straps or climbing rope.

Three Sections: Four Sets of Each Sections: 15-20 Repetitions Each Exercise

Bicep Curl
Chest Press
Tricep Overhead Press
High Elbow Row

Single Leg Squat Right
Single Leg Squat Left
Squat
Split Lunge

Suspended Mountain Climbers
Suspended Double Leg Thrust
Suspended Push Up

Aut Faciam - Make a Way

For the final portion of the Thermopylae Motto we have Aut Faciam, which translates roughly to "Make a Way".  This completes the motto of "Find a Way or Make you Own".

As a result, this training program is three pronged.  There is a cardio section, a HIIT section and a Strength section.  You make your own success from this one by completing a section of your choosing or creating your own program with pieces of each.  Each section is 10 exercises or pieces long.  Creating your own is done by taking 10 blocks and filling them with exercises from one or all three of the sections.

Cardio (completed in sequence)
Skipping - 50 Rotations
Jumping Jacks - 50
Mountain Climbers - 50
Skipping - 100 Rotations
Jumping Jacks - 50
Mountain Climbers - 100
Skipping - 50 Rotations
Jumping Jacks - 50 Rotations
Mountain Climbers - 50

War Machines - 10

HIIT (completed in sequence from top to bottom and repeated three times)
Double Unders - 10
Thrusters - 10
Plank Jack - 10
War Machine - 10

Strength (completed in sequence from top to bottom and repeated twice)
Weighted Thruster Squat - 20
Decline Push Up - 20
Pull Up/Chin Up - 10
Toes to Bar - 10
Weighted Shoulder Press Over - 20
Weighted Bicep Curl - 20

Thermopylae Prize Winner – Outstanding Sportsmanship (Thermopy-Me)

At this year’s Thermopylae OCR event we celebrated a number of milestones.  We had our biggest event to day, the most spectators, the most city services on site, the most sponsors, and the strongest group of competitors to date.

One of these competitors, an athlete from Valley Creek, exemplified sportsmanship and was a tremendous representative of what it means to be Thermopylae athlete.

Reagan competed hard posting a great time and completing all obstacles/challenges.  However, it was Reagan’s support of teammates and competitors alike that showed her character and resolve during competition.

Reagan received a pair of Hylete www.hylete.com Serenium shorts as well as an admission for two to the Alberta Mud Hero event www.mudhero.com on August 7, 8 and 9.

Congratulations Reagan and “Thank You” for being a great representative of the Thermopylae OCR.