Spartan Beast Training: HELP!

For the first time since beginning MFP over a year ago, I am ready to begin strength training. Actually, I started on Tuesday of this week. Being a newbie at this whole lifting concept, I could really use some advice from you awesome people!

My stats: I’m currently 227 lbs and I’m 5’6”. The race is on August 10 of this year.

I’ve been a runner now for over 2 years, so I’m not too worried about the 12+ miles I have to cover during the Spartan race. However, it is going to be a TON of hills…and not just baby hills. I’m talking elevation gains of 1000 ft, multiple times during the course (shoot me now).

I figure to train for that, I will be hiking at least one day a week in the surrounding hills of where I work/live. Anything I can do IN the gym to prepare for that? Yesterday I was on the treadmill, at level 10 incline, for as long as I could take it. Is this a good training habit for the days when I can’t make it outdoors?

As far as actual strength training goes, what are good exercises to get my body ready for hauling chunks of concrete around, pulling myself up ropes, and climbing over 10’ walls? My upper body strength as it currently stands sucks butt. I need to make my back, arms, shoulders, etc all stronger. My legs could use some help, too, to avoid fatigue.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated! I need to maintain my ability to jog/run, so how do I alternate working on my running (basically training for a half marathon) while at the same time strength training? Will the two training regimens conflict with each other?

Any dieting tips? Foods to avoid? Food to help fuel my workouts?

Thanks in advance! I’m super excited to complete this particular race. I’ve already completed two Spartan races this year (the Sprint and Super), so once I finish the Beast, I’ll earn my trifecta medal and officially feel bad*ss. I want to finish this series on a high note, and these forums are a great tool to get me there!