Puig takes on her first Spartan race

Though the past couple of seasons have been injury-plagued ones for Monica Puig, the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist is as determined as ever to make her way back to the court. Currently rehabbing from shoulder surgery, Puig took her training in a new direction by competing in her first Spartan Race—and came away from the experience ready for more.

In an interview with Spartan Race, Puig said the competition broke up the normal training routine.

“Sometimes people can be bored with running three miles or stuff like that, but you stop and do all these obstacles, running through water, having to pick stuff up — it's actually really, really fun.”

Being a professional athlete had Puig prepared for most of the challenges the race presented, such as testing endurance, but due to her shoulder, which required surgery, there were some things she was unable to do, like the heavier lifting or some of the obstacles.

“Hopefully, the next one I will be healthier so that I can participate in all the obstacles and maybe even throw in a couple of burpees if I fail an obstacle,” she said. “That’s the thing with Spartan races: If you fail an obstacle you have to do 30 burpees. I think I would get out of there a lot more tired and a lot dirtier.”

Still, Puig came away impressed with the feeling of community that takes place as everyone’s cheering each other on and lending support. And when asked whom she thought among her WTA peers could take on the obstacle course, Puig picked Bethanie Mattek-Sands, saying the former doubles world No. 1 would be ready for the challenges.

“She would be fierce as hell!” Puig said, noting that Mattek-Sands’ competitive spirit and fun-loving nature would be to her advantage.

Puig doesn’t have a timetable for her return to the court, but is working her way back.

She said that she would like to compete in more Spartan races in the future. Perhaps those will have her even more prepared for the rigors of the WTA Tour upon her return.