Ken Lubin participated in last year’s Death Race. This year he’s doing it again. With the epic race just days away we give you his thoughts on why…(part 1 of 2) – Mud and Adventure
Why?
People are always asking me why?
Why do you do these sports? Why do you push yourself? Why do you do these events?
And the question that always comes up, are you crazy?
Let me answer the last question first. I don’t know if I am crazy, but I love to see what I can and can’t do. I thrive on trying things that others would never consider and I love completing things when I had no idea if I would fail or triumph.
My name is Ken Lubin I am an Executive Athlete, Executive Recruiter, father and husband who loves to push the limits of physical and mental endurance. I love to see what the body and mind can achieve and intentionally put myself in difficult circumstances.
That is why I am going to conquer “The Death Race” this year and “I will finish”. Only 10-20% of the 200 competitors will finish in a given year.
The death race is “a challenging race that may kill you” with a website called www.youmaydie.com I knew I had to try it. Having competed in Division 1 Ski Racing at Colby-Sawyer College, bicycle racing at a National and international level, and completing many multi hour endurance races; Tuckerman Inferno and Sea to Summit Races, and deciding to do the Boston Marathon the morning of, I knew I had to give this a try.
“ The Death Race” is a race that you have to qualify for, need to train extremely hard for, and you don’t really know what events or obstacles that you are going to face.
“In the weeks before the competition last year, participants received a mysterious list of items that they would need to bring, including a post hole digger, 10 pounds of onions, a Greek dictionary, an axe and $50 in pennies.”
People always ask me how I am going to train for this.
On a daily basis I am running, cycling, lifting, skiing and always adding an unconventional twist. For example, some of my training has included; running 9.5 miles to work in 3 degrees wearing a 20lb weight vest while doing 20 push ups every 15 minutes. I Hike to Tuckerman Ravine at 5:00am with my skis on my back before skiing for the day with my friends and family and additionally I will do Olympic style lifting in my basement while getting on the tread mill at a 12.5% grade at 3.6 mph with 25lbs in each hand.
Why? Because I love this!! There is no better feeling in the world
As a prerequisite for this year’s Death Race, each of the participants must spread the word about “The Death Race, training, and finishing by being published. If a participant is unsuccessful there are penalties that will occur.
#1 – Drop out of the race. You will not start the race. (this is not an option)
#2 – Show up clean shaven from head to toe. All body hair must be removed by 6:00 p.m. June 24th. This includes eye brows, pubic area, and head. ALL hair must be removed and if that is done you will not have a penalty. You will start the race with everyone else. (This option is better, I am used to shaving my legs from cycling, however my wife and kids prefer I keep my eyebrow)
#3 – You accept your penalty and you move a hay bale from Amee Farm (800 feet elevation) to the top of the mountain (2,300 fee elevation) via “The Ravine” Hay bale must be on top of the mountain by 5 p.m. on the 24th to allow you to get to the mandatory meeting by 6 p.m. on the 24th. (Rumor has it that this could take 6 hours to complete before the real race even starts)
Professionally I work with ZRG Partners, In Westborough, MA and am a Managing Director in the Financial Services business. This role like life and The Death Race” has extreme swings and for some reason, I continue to take the challenge
“Fun” for me is completely different than for most people, pushing the limits to see what is possible and going full speed is what I live for.
Cheer me on.
