Lynn resident to make third attempt at winter Death Race

LYNN – Keith Glass has more than one death wish.The Lynn resident responsible for kicking off the Stone Tower Spahtens fitness group, who work out in Lynn Woods every Sunday morning, is attempting his third winter Death Race this weekend.The 48-hour ongoing outdoor event in Pittsfield, Vt., sponsored by the Spartan Race and Peak Racing, tests its participants? mental and physical merit as they battle freezing temperatures and fatigue to complete constant challenges. According to Glass, participants will be asked to do a variety of tasks during the “race,” such as carrying heavy weights for long periods or distances, completing up to 1,000 burpees, or squat thrusts, at a time and swimming in Vermont?s frigid waters.On Tuesday, Glass said he hoped there would be freezing rain, as forecasted. “I?m not an athlete or a very fast person, so anything that makes it difficult for athletes is good for me,” said Glass on his strategy. “My talent is perseverance, being a ?plugger.?”Determination is the name of the game when you?ve been out in the wilderness with no sleep, little food and cold, wet feet, described Glass. “Every death race idea is about being uncomfortable. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said. “Your heart has to be in it – when you?re uncomfortable in the freezing rain for 48 hours, if your heart isn?t in it, you?ll quit.”He said fatigue is what did him in during his last two attempts, confusing him so that he “forgot to finish.” This year, Glass has determination to spare, as he has yet to finish a winter race.?I don?t want to fail again. I don?t want this monkey on my back,” said Glass. “I don?t want to have to do a fourth race, even though I?ll probably keep doing it because I love it.”One of the concerns Glass has going in is a recent knee injury that he said will force him to take care with his footing. Another is that he is going in alone, with no planned support crew on the sidelines.Glass is hoping that this winter race will motivate him to up his intensity for the summer race, which Glass said is much more of a feat in the world of obstacle course racing. For Glass, the winter race is more of an “alternative” training mechanism for the summer. Last summer, Glass finished the three-day summer race, earning him the coveted skull-shaped trophy in his second attempt.Glass said the momentum from the summer race could help him this weekend. “Last summer was actually the first time I was nervous, and that one I finished,” said Glass. “Being nervous helped, because I was taking it more seriously. This time I?m taking it more seriously because of my knee, and I?m not as trained up as I was last year.”Glass can?t get enough of the events. He?s planning on participating in the Death Race?s new team race, scheduled for September. If he finishes the winter, summer and team race, Glass will have a chance to appear in documentary about the races.