SGPT Interviews SEALFIT 20X Challenge Finisher Michael Evans

SGPT Interviews SEALFIT 20X Challenge Finisher Michael Evans
SGPT: Tell us about yourself.

ME:SGPT Interviews SEALFIT 20X Challenge Finisher Michael Evans

SGPT: Tell us about yourself.

ME: I recently semi-retired as a Nuclear Operation’s Control Room Supervisor and Training Instructor. I just turned 61 (I was 60 at the 20X event). 6 years in the Navy. Living in Texas.

SGPT: Did you have an athletic background growing up?

ME: I played basketball some in high school, and was very involved in martial arts.

SGPT: Tell us about the event.

ME: I had signed up for the 20X, with plans of doing the 12 hour version. We arrived early, and had a pretty mellow morning at the gathering area for a little while. When the SEALFIT coaches arrived, the intensity arrived also. In general, it was as I expected….. very tough. We did quite a bit of running, including through some pretty good hill trails. The Grinder (area) in Temecula is perfect, surrounded by big hills and beautiful views – when you remember to pay attention to that. Our group was a mixture of 6 Hour, 12 Hours, and 24 Hour participants, 19 in all. We had people from all over the US, Mexico, and South America. One thing of note: we seemed to immediately meld loosely into a good team. There were no major egos, and all worked well and supported each other.

SGPT: Where was it? How was the weather?

ME: The event was just west of Temecula, California. The weather was perfect! I believe it was in the low 60s to start, and mid-70s by mid-day.

SGPT: How did you train for the event?

ME: I really waited too late to start training intensely for the event, and I paid for that. However, about 2 months prior to it, I did start to get better focused and used a combination of SGPT and SEALFIT WODs.

SGPT: What was the hardest part for you?

ME: Two things, and both were a surprise. We did a lot of bear crawls, which is something I had trained for. But doing those in loose gravel/sand was completely different and quickly broke me down. Also, we did a lot of sandbag work. I had trained my shoulders to be strong, but they did not have the shoulder mobility needed to lock out my arms overhead during some ot the drills. This meant I had to keep my triceps and shoulder extra-tense for long periods and completely zapped me.

SGPT: What felt like it was the easiest?

ME: I had a good idea of what to expect for the “welcome party”, so that went okay. Also, the extra love from coaches with water hoses was something I had mentally prepared for (as well as icy water submersion, so I was fairly okay with those. None of it was easy, I was just better prepared for this portion.

SGPT: Was there a moment you felt like quitting? How did you talk yourself out of it?

ME: Honestly, the bear crawls in the gravel and sand pits. Those destroyed me and I felt terrible as a team member. I was mumbling about being “done” during this and one of the coaches let me know we didn’t have much more, that I needed to stay in the fight. I didn’t enjoy it, but it kept me there (and glad it worked).

SGPT: If you had another shot at it – What would you have done differently?

ME: More running / Cardio training, especially hill running. More sandbag training and bear crawls in gravel and sand. Also, allow myself more time overall to put the hours in for preparation. In general, much more training.

SGPT: How did you recover afterwards?

ME: I gave myself a week of light training such as walking. And had a massage scheduled for the Tuesday after the event.

SGPT: Any tips for someone wanting to train for and enter this event?

ME: Use SGPT and / or SEALFIT guidance, for sure. Ensure you are training for the unexpected, and train outside as much as possible. Also, when checking your PST and MURPH times, make sure you are doing those in a fatigued state. I remember one of our teammates (who was obviously a good runner), was surprised at his one mile time being about 90 seconds slower due to his fatigue.

SGPT: What’s your next goal?

ME: I have a 5K coming up, and just working on cutting my time for that. I am already gearing up for a full 12 Hour 20X in 2024.

SGPT: What book are you currently reading?

ME: I mostly listen to audio books (while doing long walks). I’m listening to: “Six Days of Impossible” by Robert Adams, and the “Black Autumn Series” by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross.

SGPT: Do you have a podcast that you could recommend?

ME: I listen to several, depending on my mood and the topics: Tim Ferriss, Mark Divine, Real AF with Andy Frisella, Aubry Marcus, and Joe Rogan’s are my normal ones.

SGPT: Thanks for the interview Michael. It was awesome to see you at the event and helping you along your journey.

ME: Thank you Coach. I was glad you were at this event also! Looking forward to more training and growth with you.

SGPT: Did you have an athletic background growing up?

ME:

SGPT: Tell us about the event.

ME:

SGPT: Where was it? How was the weather?

ME:

SGPT: How did you train for the event?

ME:

SGPT: What was the hardest part for you?

ME:

SGPT: What felt like it was the easiest?

ME:

SGPT: Was there a moment you felt like quitting? How did you talk yourself out of it?

ME:

SGPT: If you had another shot at it – What would you have done differently?

ME:

SGPT: How did you recover afterwards?

ME:

SGPT: Any tips for someone wanting to train for and enter this event?

ME:

SGPT: What’s your next goal?

ME:

SGPT: What book are you currently reading?

ME:

SGPT: Do you have a podcast that you could recommend?

ME:

SGPT: Thanks for the interview Michael. It was awesome to see you at the event and helping you along your journey.

ME:

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