If you think you're just going to walk onto a Spartan course and crush it, you're in for a rude awakening. You need to prepare: You need to know the venue, the course, the terrain, the level of difficulty, and the likely conditions. Every month in OCR INSIDER, we look at the upcoming races on the schedule and tell you everything you need to know so when you reach the start line, you're ready. On the docket this month: Monterey, Tri-State New York, Colorado Springs, AT&T Stadium, and Ohio.

Monterey Spartan Event Weekend (June 4-5)

The Gist 

A full lineup of 20-obstacle, 5K Sprints, Super 10Ks with 25 obstacles, and Kids races are coming to Salinas in early June, near the central coast of California.

If you'd prefer to explore the coast with an unobstructed view (ie. no obstacles), a series of challenging, Trail races are also on the roster this weekend, with distances ranging from 10K to half-marathon, and even a 50K.

The Venue: Pastoral

Described as “pastoral" by race directors, the woods, hilly terrain, and trails of the race venue offer both scenic beauty and rugged, lung-burning toughness. Both Sprint and Super competitors will encounter more than 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

If you plan on conquering Monterey for your first Spartan race, sharpen up your strength and endurance with these essential training tips.

Weather: Not-Summer-Yet Weather

It may be California, but it's still not technically summer yet. As such, expect the weekend's conditions to be dry and temperate: mid-50s to high-60s this time of year. 

Bonus: Coastal California Dreams

You’ll be near towns like Salinas, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur, so there’s no shortage of bucket-list places to visit. 

After you cross the finish line, enjoy a beer while you study a map and draw out your post-race weekend plans at the XL Public House on Main Street in Salinas. 

Tri-State New York Spartan Event Weekend (June 11-12)

The Gist

A quick trip and a dreamy escape for Northeast city dwellers, this weekend near the Catskills in Bethel, NY offers Sprints and Kids races.

Venue: The Open Arms of Woodstock

You’ll be racing on the flat and fast world-famous grounds of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. If you're unfamiliar with the historical importance of Woodstock, consider this: The staff were expecting 50,000 people. A half-million showed up for the three-day event, and, miraculously, the peace generally stayed intact. And if you do know anything about the festival, you may remember another defining feature: mud. 

Related: These Are the 10 Best Venues to Conquer Your First Spartan Race

Spartan races are known for being both welcoming — to first-timers and strangers in particular — and muddy, so this venue is considered one of the best Spartan events for beginners, and is consistently a fan-favorite.

Weather: All-Welcoming

The weekend's temperatures should be enjoyable, sitting somewhere between the mid-50s to low-70s, and there is nearly a 40% chance of precipitation based on historical precedent.

Bonus: Get Your Art Fix

Unsurprisingly, the town of Woodstock has plenty to offer when it comes to the arts, so check out the local arts scene and stop by the Little Apple Cafe for a post-race juice cleanse. and for a less involved activity, grab a beverage at one of outdoor picnic tables at the Woodstock Brewing Company.

Colorado Springs Spartan Event Weekend (June 11-12)

The Gist

In the thin air of Colorado's Fort Carson Army Base, Spartans will attack Sprints, Supers, and Kids races at this 2022 Spartan Honor Series race weekend.

Venue: Rocky Mountain High

If you are arriving from sea. level, the first thing you’ll notice about the course (once you steady yourself from the Rocky Mountain views) is that it is most certainly not at sea level. At 6,000 feet and accompanying thin air, you’re more than a mile high, so be as physically prepared as possible.

Related: These Are the 10 Hardest Spartan Races on the Schedule. Think You Can Handle One?

Weather: A Counterbalance to the Altitude

Despite the relentless lung-burning to which this course will treat you, you'll be spared some pain when it comes to weather. The temperatures should be reasonable: mid-50s to mid-70s. And with a mere 19% chance of any rain, the humidity will be low, so your body can cut through the air like a knife.

Bonus: Garden of the Gods (and More)

Colorado is known for its natural beauty, so you can easily knock a few things off of your bucket list if you’re visiting the Fort Carson area from another state (or even another country). The Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Rainbow Falls are but a few of the epic natural wonders of the area.

AT&T Stadium Spartan Stadion Event Weekend (June 18)

The Gist

Though it's still a few days pre-summer, our AT&T Stadium single-day event — featuring 20-obstacle Spartan Stadion races and Kids races — is the first Stadion of the Spartan summer season, and it's happening right in the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Venue: Where the Cowboys Roam

If you watch any degree of professional football, then you’ve seen this race venue on television. AT&T Stadium is known for its retractable roof, jumbotrons, and the capacity to host up to 100,000 raving fans.

Related: The Most Iconic Spartan Stadion Venues, Ranked

Plus, if you've never tried a Spartan race before, but are enticed by the idea of a behind-the-scenes experience of this epic stadium, the AT&T Stadion event is one of the top 10 best Spartan races for beginners.

Weather: Under Control

Outdoor temperatures in the Dallas and Arlington area can reach up into the 90s this time of year, and humidity is likely to be muggy. But that doesn't matter in this case, because AT&T Stadium is climate controlled, allowing racers to push past their limits with less dehydration worries. However, you'll be stepping out into some pretty intense heat after the race, so be sure to rehydrate accordingly.

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Cool Bonus: JFK History

One of the more unique things to do in the Dallas area is to explore the site of John F. Kennedy's assassination with a museum visit and even a tour, which you can kick off by checking out the Sixth Floor Museum.

Ohio Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend (June 18-19)

The Gist

This early-summer, inaugural Trifecta weekend in Bloomingdale, Ohio features Sprints, Supers, Beasts (21K with 30 obstacles), and even Kids races.

The Venue: You Are All-Terrain

Imagine what it must be like to race on the rough-and-tumble grounds of an ATV park. This weekend gives Spartans a chance to earn their coveted Trifecta title at Renegade Ridge ATV Park for the first time ever. That means you'll be tested with winding trails, undulating topography (but little to no elevation gain), and an insane amount of mud.

Related: There Are More Trifecta Weekends Than EVER. Find Yours at One of These 12 Epic Locations.

Weather: Nice, But Possibly Mud-Enhancing

Mid-June temperatures in this part of Ohio will likely be in the low 60s to high 70s, with about a 40% chance of rain. 

Bonus: Pop Art Nearby

Bloomingdale is just about an hour drive from Pittsburgh, Penn., so you won’t want to miss out on the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh’s North Shore.