Warrior Dash

I am a big believer that it is important to challenge yourself and try new things.  As I move into my 40s I realize that I have some physical limitations (One of my attempts to get back into shape included basketball - hey, Lea, you used to like playing basketball, why not play basketball now? Except all I could think about when I was playing is that 41 year old knees really aren't meant to move laterally so much and then I realized that basketball players who use terms like "lateral movement" probably should not be playing.).

I love fitness classes that have a boot camp style - push ups, cardio, burpees, cardio, and I like the funny games that trainers come up with to keep people motivated (and I know this annoys some people, but I like it).  I've been running again and I've been lifting weights, which is new for me.  In some ways I am in better shape than when I was running marathons because I am regularly lifting weights.  And when I heard about the Warrior Dash - 5k (good, short distance) with obstacles, I knew I had found a race.

The running portion was actually pretty rigorous - hills and heat sapped my energy, but when we started getting to the obstacles I felt invigorated.  I pulled myself up a wall with a rope and climbed down the ladder on the other side.  I ran through tires and crawled under barbed wire.  I jumped over fire and yes, I swam through mud.  I don't think I have ever had this much fun in a race.

A couple of practical pointers (these races are becoming really popular, so you may be thinking about competing in one or supporting someone who is) - I think upper body strength is essential for these races.  I did not have any problem with the obstacles strength wise with the exception of the walls that we had to boost ourselves over with arms only (but I did them all on the first try!) but I was pushing myself to my limit as far as my upper body strength goes.  As I was getting ready for the race I was most freaked out by the prospect of the ropes and the fire, but the rope obstacles were fun and you could use your legs on the walls as you were going up.  I was not prepared for how scared I would be when I had to turn around at the top of the wall and go down the other side.  I've never done anything like that before and I was pretty freaked out (but I did it!).  Jumping over fire turned out to be nothing but awesome.

And for spectators - don't go.  Seriously.  If you're not competing just stay home and wish your warrior well and grill them a dead animal when they get home.  Bill, Mary and Frank went with me and we all regretted it.  We were not prepared for the rock festival like atmosphere ("I feel like we're at Lollapalooza!") - parking is a nightmare, it's hot (90 degrees in our case), drinks and food are expensive, there is nowhere to sit, there is little shade, and you can't see the race but for the start and finish.  (This is all specific to the race we went to, but I would guess it is similar at others.)  I was having serious second thoughts about the whole thing until I actually raced and then I had an absolutely fantastic time and can't wait to do this again.  But I will leave my family at home.)