Obstacle Course Mud Running

In January of 2011, I heard about a race called Warrior Dash because someone I don't know posted a link on my best friends facebook page.  I got intrigued, looked it up online, discovered that it is a short 3.55 mile race here in Washington that has 10 obstacles you have to traverse during the race.  Then, I discovered they were all over the world!  I had to do one!

I have always loved to run.  Ever since I was a small child I've been running.  But I did not join the track team or the cross country team when I was in high school because I'm not a sprinter or a marathon runner.  I run because running is my meditation.  It is my zen.  It is my religion.  It brings peace to my inner being when there is a storm going on around me.  I absolutely love to run.

But I don't want to run on a treadmill, a track or in a gym.  I want to run in nature.  I want to smell the scent of the trees and flowers as I pass them, I want to see birds flit from the branches ahead of me, I want to feel the ground beneath my feet.

When I was little, I went barefoot.  Everywhere.  Until I was about 12.  One day I was riding my bike and stubbed my bare toe on the sidewalk.  I decided shoes were okay.  But not socks.  I didn't own any socks until I was about 14.  And I bought all my own clothes and shoes by that time so I opted for Keds.  They were inexpensive and didn't hurt my feet like running shoes did.

I ran at least 4 miles every single day through my high school years in Keds.  And I worked out in the gym with the boys during a free weights class.  I think I was the only girl signed up for that class.  And I couldn't really bench press much, but I could free hang for as long as you could count.  And I could leg press the approximate weight of an ox.  I think I had like 2 percent body fat.

It's probably more like 20 percent now, but I digress.

After high school, I had children.  In between children I would always take up running again.  But never go very far or run very often.

Run Like You Love It! T-shirts by JessicaInSeattle 

Then a little over 7 years ago, I got into a serious car accident and was seriously injured.  All of the muscles in my back were torn from my tail bone up through my neck.  My right shoulder has permanent nerve damage and my right leg will never be the same.  I was completely debilitated for over a year and a half.  I lost some of my past memories and the ability to form new memories.  My past memories that are lost, are lost forever I presume.  The ability to form new memories slowly came back to me.  I still find that sometimes I'm told something happened that I can't remember.  That frightens me.  But I remember most things now.

During the time I was just beginning to be able to form new memories, I had my fourth child.  I don't remember her first word, first steps or most of her other firsts.  I do remember that when she was 16 months old, I started running again.  I lived across the street from a high school and even though I was afraid to try running because of the injuries to my back, neck and shoulders, I felt like I had to give it a shot.

The first time, I could barely run 200 meters.  I had to stop, gasping for breath, walking it off.  Going home and icing my back.  I tried again.  And again.  And again.  Night after night I ran.  I bought a pair of running shoes.  My first in about 10 years.

I got to where I was able to run from my house to a nearby lake, around the lake and back to my house again...I took Epsom salt baths, but the icing stage was over.  It was a little over 5 miles.  It took me over a year to build up that endurance.  I was getting stronger!

I continued to run several times a week.  And then my knee started to hurt really bad about half way through my runs.  I bought a band to go around my knee so I could keep running.

That was about the time I first heard about Warrior Dash.  As soon as I looked it up, I knew I had to run it.  It wasn't just running.  It was running with obstacle courses!

A little less than five months before Warrior Dash, I broke my foot.  It wasn't even a tough gal type of break.  I did it while working out in my house.  It was right after dinner and the kids were still up and I was just jogging from the front door to the back door.  I always ran barefoot unless I was outside.  My three year old daughter decided she was going to run with me, but she ran right into me, pushed me over and I hit the vacuum cleaner with the side of my foot breaking my metatarsal bone.

It hurt.  I got up and kept running.  For about 30 seconds.  I sat down, took some deep breaths and asked my son to grab me some ice.

That put off my training for Warrior Dash for the next two and a half months.  I was on crutches for 8 weeks and in a boot for two more after that.

I was finally able to take off the boot.  I taped up my foot and went for a walk.  Walking just didn't cut it though and I was soon back to running again.  My knee started hurting again.  I put the brace back on and kept going.

A month later, my hip started to hurt.  I was diagnosed with ITBS and bursitis on my right side.  I was told I would never be able to run again.

I don't do well with being told what to do.  I signed up for Warrior Dash for the next year and hoped that I would be able to run it when the time came.  I gained almost 20 pounds.

I started walking and then I started doing P90X.  I figured if I can't run, I have to at least work out.  I have lost 14 of those pounds and I seem to be stuck at this weight.

For two years now I've wanted a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes.  They are those "weird shoes with toes" that you have heard about or seen.  I did a ton of research and decided that with as much time as I spend barefoot, these might be the perfect running shoes for me.

I finally got a pair for Mother's Day this year.  One trip to REI and I was a happy runner again.

They were just supposed to be walking shoes for me for the next several weeks while I 'get used' to them.  But when I took them out on their maiden voyage, I could not help myself.  I ran.  I did not want to stop.

The very next day, I was going to go for a short walk again.  I ran.  About 4 miles.  It was absolutely amazing.  I had not felt the freedom of running in over 8 months.  I needed it.

That was yesterday.  My calves are a bit sore today, but I relish in the pain and I just want to go run again.

Warrior Chick T-shirts by JessicaInSeattle 

Less than a week ago, I heard about another race similar to Warrior Dash.  It is called Spartan Race.  It's tougher, rougher and even more mud.  I have signed up to volunteer.  I just got my volunteer email and it said I get to run it for free that same day.  I'm scared out of my mind to run it since it is less than 5 weeks away and I don't know if I'm physically prepared.

I also don't know that I have the gas money to get to the race site.  But I just have to find a way.

There is another one called Tough Mudder that is three times longer and even more challenging.  So what did I do?  I signed up to volunteer!  That one is in September.

These races with their obstacles are a way to be a runner and challenge yourself physically by getting over, through or under obstacles.  Things like traversing 15 foot walls, belly crawling under barbed wire, climbing ropes, running through a field of live wires hanging over head, clambering up steep mud embankments, jumping over flames, wading or swimming through ice cold water and much, much more.

I can't really explain why I want to do these other than I love the challenge.  I love proving to myself that it doesn't matter what someone tells me I can or can not do.  If I put my mind to it, anything is possible.

I can do these with a brain injury.  I can do them with ITBS.  I can do them with bursitis.  I can do them with a shoulder injury that will never heal.  What I've been through doesn't matter when what I am about to do is right in front of me.

Yes.  It will be hard.  No.  I might not be able to do all of it.  But I will try and I will try hard.  I may break down and I may want to quit part way through, but I will be able to pick myself up and keep on moving forward no matter how hard it gets because I am a survivor.

Mud, Blood, Sweat, Beer! T-shirts by JessicaInSeattle 

Oh, and I get free beer for finishing.  Can't forget that part.  I like beer.


Spartan Sprint, here I come!
Warrior Dash, watch out!
Tough Mudder, I'll be ready!


Until Next Time,
JessicaInSeattle

Warrior Dash 2011 in North Bend, Washington

You know how I've whined about my poor little broken foot a bit too much lately?  Yes, it even bugged me - so here's a sorry out to all of you!  Well, that whining all stemmed from my major itch to get back to training.  See, I'm competing in the Warrior Dash in North Bend, Washington in July.  

First of all, when you complete the race, you get a FREE BEER!  Now I've got your attention, eh!

Yeah, that got my attention too.  And then I told some friends about it and we were lucky enough to get signed up to compete together.  My big issue at this point is that both of these friends are a lot more athletic than I am.  

Which was why I was training!  When you read on further down, you'll see why I was training in January for an event that takes place in July.

Of course, I made t-shirts.  My friend Kassy has purchased one.  I told her this means she has to come too so her and Steph can cheer us on as we crawl (under barbed wire) toward the finish line.

Warrior Chick

Here's a few tidbits from the Warrior Dash website:

"Welcome to America’s most insane race. Warrior Dash lands in Washington for the first time in 2011 where 11 obstacles from hell await you along this 3.55 mile course. Are you a Warrior?"

"Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell.  This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe.  Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with kick-ass music, beer and warrior helmets."

Obstacles for the North Bend Warrior Dash:

1) Slithering Swamp - Venture into unknown murky waters.

2) Junkyard Jam - Stampede through the scrapyard - including climbing over junked cars.

3) Hay Fever - Hustle up and over giant straw bales.

4) Warrior Wall - Conquer the wooden barricade.

5) Chaotic Crossover - Crawl across the tangled nets.

6) Arachnophobia - Tread through the tangled ropes.

7) Walk the Plank - Traverse the gully on wooden planks.

8) Tunnels of Terror - Burrow through the black tunnels.

9) Cargo Climb - Maneuver over the cargo nets.

10) Warrior Roast - Leap over the Warrior fires.

11) Muddy Mayhem - Scramble beneath the barbed wire as you near the finish!

Awesome, right!!!  Yeah, I thought so too.

RACE LENGTH:  3.55 hellish miles (race length varies depending on location)

There are 6,000 people crazy enough to sign up for this just for Saturday!

Originally it was only on Saturday, then it filled up and they decided to continue it through Sunday...which is almost full.

If you are interested in either the WA one or seeing if there is one near you, click HERE!  Registration will be closed on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 3pm CST so hurry if you want to do it!

Not only will we get to compete in something while having a total blast with my friends at the same time but we get to drink free beer, listen to live music, get an awesome fuzzy warrior helmet complete with horns, get a bad-ass warrior dash t-shirt and a medal for finishing, but there will also be awards!!!

AWARDS

The awards ceremony will take place at one hour after the last wave of the day recognizing the day's...

* Top 3 overall male and female participants.

* Top 3 males and females in each age division.

* Most ridiculous costume contest - you should see some of the crazy costumes that have taken place at the four around the world that have happened already.

* Best Warrior beard - yes, even the women are sporting beards!

And, there is only one rule for the costumes: "You're good to go, as long as your costume or running shoes do not harm other participants".  

They will even provide zip ties for you to attach your race chip to your ankle in case you have nowhere else to put it.  Hmm, I believe they are condoning you run stark naked.  I won't be showing up in that costume.  Although, I do suppose you need somewhere to pin your bib number.  Nipple rings, anyone?  Okay, yeah, I really hope I don't see that!

The suggested training schedule is as follows:

Day One: run as far as you can go.  Go home.

Day Two: do the same thing.

Day Three: find the dirtiest pond in your neighborhood and snorkel in it - in your slippers, without goggles.

Day Four: practice your climbing and crawling skills at your local jungle gym.  Ignore small children and parental glares.

Repeat - and do not shower or shave for weeks in order to obtain a true Warrior look.

As they keep saying: IT'S THE CRAZIEST FRICKEN DAY OF YOUR LIFE!

I can't wait!

See, now you know what all my whining was about.  

Until Next Time,

JessicaInSeattle

PS: Today I took off the blasted boot and wore two shoes!  Progress!

Playdates, Homework and Exercise

The highlight of my weekend was successfully dropping my three and a half year old daughter off at her friends house for a playdate. When I picked her up, she didn't want to leave as she only gets to see this friend every two weeks. And now that I think about it, I forgot to schedule the next playdate. I'll have to send her mom a facebook message and set it up.

Speaking of setting it up, when they began being called 'playdates' is beyond me. We didn't make dates to play with our friends when I was a kid. We just showed up, knocked on the door and asked if so-and-so could come out and play. Our parents were just glad we weren't in the house and we knew that when it started to get dark, or our friends were called in for dinner, it was time to go home. And sometimes we called home and said we were eating dinner two blocks away and we would be home afterward.

After we picked my daughter up from her playdate, we tried to get my son to finish up the homework he had leftover from last week. He's got a cold though. With a congested head, cough, sore throat and wheezing because of his asthma. He gets sicker than most kids when he gets a cold because he just can't breathe. This does not help him get his homework done. Every few minutes he's hacking and getting up to toss a tissue. So, we struggle, but we get some of it done and fix some that was not done right. Poor kid has a head full of snot and just can't think.

Exercise is what had to come next. I have been working out every day for the past few days and it feels really good. I've got to continue the momentum or I'll lose it. So, I don my tennis shoes, my exercise pants, my t-shirt and get to working out. Today I chose a dance video I streamed from Netflix via my Wii. Super cool and if you haven't tried it, you really must give it a shot!

I've been watching what I'm eating and exercising every day for only a few days, but I have GOT to get rid of these last few pounds I've been hanging onto for a couple years now. I plateaued quite a while ago and I just have to grab a parachute, sprint toward the cliff and go for it!

So, here goes nothing. A comfortable weight for me is about 15 pounds lighter than I am now. It's not a lot, but it's the end of a very long road as I've already lost 80 pounds. So, by the time I'm done, I will have lost almost 100. Whew, that sure sounds like a lot, but it took me almost 2 years to lose the 80. And I've been hanging onto the last 15 for the past two years.

And now for the drum roll. I have signed myself up for something totally crazy. It is called Warrior Dash and I will be competing with a bunch of other totally nutty people (some are friends that I convinced to do it with me). We will all get t-shirts, viking helmets, and a free beer upon completion of the course. You'll have to check it out. It's just totally insane. And I am totally excited! Something to light a fire under my ass and get me in shape by July. Exactly the kind of motivation I need! I'm locked into participating now, so I have to get fit or I'll make even more of a fool of myself than I would otherwise. You'll see what I mean when you read the description.

As a matter of fact, I think I'll have to dedicate another blog post just to the Warrior Dash. I'll put that on my list for tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment. It's nice to know if people are out there!

Jess