Jim Driscoll has caught the Spartan racing spirit ñ which means he enjoys running sprints through obstacles. Driscoll retired after 26 years in the United States Air Force and started the Spartan circuit one year later.He ran his first Spartan race in Colorado Springs in May 2012. ìI did horrible,î Driscoll said. ìI felt embarrassed and said Ö Iíve got to change.î A month later, Driscoll started a tough training regimen. ìI really got myself in shape,î he said. ìI lost 20 pounds.î By August, he had run the Blue Moon Trail Run plus 23 other races in 364 days, including six Spartan races.Driscoll also has trained with April Luu, professional runner (veteran Spartan racer) and fitness instructor at the Woodmen Hills Recreation Center, three to four times a week.Spartan races appeal to him because runners are accountable, Driscoll said. ìAll the other races ñ if you donít like an obstacle; go around,î he said. In Spartan races, missing an obstacle means a penalty. ìThat really sparked my interest,î he said.The world championship Spartan race was held in Killington, Vt., Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. The race consisted of a 13-mile obstacle course. Driscoll said the race was the ìhardest race of my life,î but, ìit was awesome.îDriscoll finished in the No. 12 spot out of 43 in his age bracket and in the top 44 percent of elite men and the overall elite field. His time: 7:12:48, and he also reached his goal to be among the top 150 men in the world ñ he came in at No. 147.NOTE: April Luu took sixth place in the championship race and second in the Spartan circuit for the year.
