DEKA ULTRA Recap: 3rd Place on the Podium

Last Sunday I took on DEKA ULTRA and came away with 3rd place. It was one of those days that’s hard to describe unless you’ve been in it: long, uncomfortable, and somehow fun at the same time.

What is DEKA ULTRA?

DEKA ULTRA is basically the “more of everything” version of DEKA FIT:

• 5 full circuits
• Each circuit is 5K running + 10 functional zones
• Total: 25K running and 50 zones

Spartan’s official overview is here: DEKA ULTRA.

How it felt (and what surprised me)

The hardest part wasn’t any single zone. It was the cumulative effect doing solid work, then having to run again, then going right back into another set of zones. Every time you think you’re settling in, the race asks for a little more focus.

Something I loved is that it’s not just a physical test. It’s a discipline test:

• Stay calm when you’re tired
• Keep moving efficiently
• Don’t let one rough zone leak into the next one

The small things that mattered

• Transitions: moving with purpose between zones saved time and energy.
• Fueling + hydration: little and often, and never “wait until you need it.”
• Mindset: I kept it simple one station, one run segment, then repeat.

3rd place and why it meant a lot

Getting 3rd felt amazing, not just because of the podium, but because it validated the work I’ve been putting in. DEKA ULTRA is the kind of event where you can’t fake fitness or toughness you earn every minute out there.

What I’m taking into the next block

• Train longer efforts that mix running + stations
• Practice smooth transitions when fatigued
• Keep building the endurance base, but don’t ignore strength

If you’re thinking about doing a DEKA ULTRA, I’ll say this: it’s brutal, but it’s also a really special kind of challenge. You walk away proud, and a little bit different.