Super Nova of the Month: Bonar Bulgar
Congratulations to Bonar our November SuperNova!
Bonar has been unstoppable over the past few years! Named our Supernova of the Year last year, he continues to push his limits and refuses to rest on his laurels. We’re proud to recognize Bonar as our Supernova once again after his incredible completion of a 21k Spartan race last month in just 5 hours and 15 minutes.
Read on to learn about his journey—how he embraced the challenge, overcame adversity, and ultimately achieved his goal.
A year ago, you set your sights on completing this 21K Spartan Race. Many set long-term goals but lose momentum without a strong "WHY" (the motivation behind the goal). What was your WHY that kept you committed to achieving this?
“However, life threw some curveballs. I ended up participating in the Sporting Life 10K in Toronto—a straightforward road race—which wasn’t part of my original plan. Then, unforeseen circumstances prevented me from completing the 10K Spartan Race I had scheduled for August 3rd.
Despite these setbacks, I found a powerful motivator: accountability. I would tell just about anybody who would listen—and even those who wouldn’t—that I was doing it. By sharing my goals with others, I created a sense of responsibility. I didn’t want to face the discomfort of admitting I hadn’t followed through. This external commitment pushed me forward, even when training was tough or life got busy.
On race day, nerves kicked in, especially since my preparation hadn’t been as thorough as I’d hoped. But the thought of not honoring my word was more daunting than the race itself. So, I laced up and tackled the challenge head-on.
In essence, openly declaring my intentions and holding myself accountable to others became the driving force that kept me committed to achieving my goal.”
Over the course of your journey you faced multiple setbacks from injuries that often halt progress for most people, yet you persevered. How did you overcome these challenges to stay active and complete your recent 21K Spartan Race?
“Throughout my training for the 21K Spartan Race, I encountered several injuries, including Achilles tendon issues, hip discomfort, and persistent ulnar nerve irritation. These challenges were frustrating, especially as I aimed to maintain a high level of performance.
A significant factor in overcoming these setbacks was the support from the trainers at Nova, particularly Zack and Mike. They collaborated with me to develop tailored training plans that accommodated my injuries, ensuring I remained active without exacerbating my conditions. Their expertise allowed us to modify exercises as needed; for instance, if TRX rows aggravated my ulnar nerve, we adjusted accordingly.
This personalized approach, combined with consistent feedback and open communication, was instrumental in keeping me on track. Additionally, my commitment to the race and the accountability I felt from sharing my goals with others motivated me to persevere.
In essence, the professional guidance and adaptability of the Nova Fitness coaches were key in helping me navigate and overcome the physical challenges during my preparation for the Spartan Race.”
Could you share some details about the training and lifestyle routine that helped you prepare for your recent Spartan Race?
“Preparing for the 21K Spartan Race was quite the journey, and I had to tweak my routine to keep things balanced. Running’s great, but it can be tough on the body, so I mixed it up: runs on Saturdays and Thursdays, cycling on Mondays, gym sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, and a swim during Wednesday lunch breaks. This variety helped keep me in shape without overdoing any single activity. To stay on track, I used time-blocking in my calendar, which kept me accountable and consistent.
Investing in a solid pair of running shoes made a world of difference—sometimes, the right gear really does matter. On the nutrition front, I added protein powder to my diet to make sure I was getting enough, especially since eating large amounts of food isn’t always easy for me. I also took daily supplements like zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, fish oil, vitamin D, and a multivitamin. It’s hard to say exactly how much they helped, but sticking to this routine felt good. Keeping track of my food intake was a bit of a challenge, but I tried to stay on top of it to ensure I was fueling up properly.
To gauge my fitness, I did a VO2 max test and scored a 57, which was encouraging. Wearing a Whoop bracelet alongside my Apple Watch helped me monitor things like sleep and recovery, giving me insights into how my body was handling the training. Speaking of sleep, I made it a priority. Using a 8 Sleep mattress that adjusts temperature based on heart rate and other factors really improved my rest and recovery.
After the race, I realized I might have been pushing myself too hard and maybe training too much. So, for the next three months, I’ve scaled back on running and am focusing on strength training and proper nutrition, which is the most difficult thing for me to do. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m planning to tackle three more Spartan races in the 50 to 54 age group. With Nova’s support, I’m aiming to step up my game, especially in the 5K event, and maybe even snag a spot on the podium.
This mix of varied workouts, mindful eating, solid recovery, and careful planning was key to getting ready for and completing the 21K Spartan Race.”
