So I did it after all. I registered for the Warrior Dash down in Southern Virginia, near Charles City, right off the James River. For months I prepared, for months I felt ready. Then, as soon as a few weeks before rolled around, I started to panic. I started to get my feelings of inadequacy, ineptitude and worry....so bad that I had trouble sleeping, for four days before the actual race day. What would it be like? What if I get hurt? What if I can't do an obstacle and I embarrass myself in front of droves of people more fit and physically able than I? what if...blah blah...blah. Friday rolled around and I almost quit. We had no one to feed the cats. Returning early Sunday was my only comfort knowing they would only be without food for one day. They would not starve and I put lots of fresh water down and fed them extra Friday before we left.
Casey stayed with auntie Tecla...no worries there :-D
So A and I drove down to Va Friday night and of course got stuck in some mad traffic on 95 in Va, what else is new? We got to our hotel and it was pretty nice...Residence Inn...great digs! Much love and recommend it highly.
Saturday morning rolls around and I am panicked to the core. I can't sleep very well. I try every relaxation method in the book...breathe, think good thoughts, let your mind go...but I could not. My mind was wrapped around one panicky thought and only one panicky thought: what will this crazy thing be like?
We made our way over to the race grounds: a beautiful plantation (Berkeley Plantation) right on the James River. We parked in the corn fields a good bit away. Because they were not allowed to served beer at this particular Warrior Dash, we got our parking free and I get a free registration to the next Warrior Dash (MD, 2012 baby!)
We made our way down to the main area, I picked up my race packet (bib, timer, fuzzy Viking helmet (yay!) and t-shirt). We wandered around, watched the previous waves coming into the finish and I panicked some more. Finally my wave time came up and I got in line. I tried to breathe, I tried to think good thoughts, I did what I could to calm myself down but when my inner neuroses kick in, there's no stopping the panic. For once I just wish I could really say "whatever!"
The announcer got everyone riled up, I felt a lot better once surrounded by others about to do the same crazy thing I was about to. A nice sense of camaraderie. The flames shot out of the torches and off we went. I jogged for a good stretch...running in mud I found was difficult (captain obvious). I saw the first obstacle in the distance and I was ready for it. Lots of people passed me but I was also passing alot of people. The first few obstacles: no problem...up and over, tires, crumpled cars, horizontal cargo net (rough on the quads but definitely doable). Then came the water obstacle. Rolling over a log in water that was at my ribs was challenging, then running in soaked clothes with mud in my shoes was also very challenging, but I continued on...next came the boot camp obstacles, planks, and two walls, one with rope, the other without. The planks were fun as it suddenly made me feel my calves and a little bit of strain/charlie horse. That feeling went away...whew! The walls I thought would be tricky but my upper body strength is a lot more than I gave myself credit for and I was up and over those things with no issues. Next came the water obstacle: just wading through the shallows of the shore of the James River...what a beautiful river. Next came the cargo net (vertical) and was a no brainer easy as pie obstacle. Then came my favorite, the flames: warrior roast. I cleared those two sets of flames like a pro. And finally, the mud crawl. I entered and sunk up to my shoulders..then proceeded to crawl my way to the finish under the barbed wire. Let me tell you, that was not easy. Full of muddy water and crawling on my belly on my elbows and knees was fun! Finally I passed the finish line with a hug smile on my face and a medal I earned around my neck. I got a banana and a water and was glad to receive both.
A came to greet me but steered clear of the mud. He helped me eat my banana, I bought a cool track jacket and then went to the warrior wash: ie, go wade in the James river to get the mud off. It was like a baptism...tons of other warriors floating or wading or pouring water over their arms and legs to get the mud off. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm and I had completed my dreaded 5k (actually it was 3.11 miles) and 11 obstacles...(more than other warrior dash locations). I felt prouder and better than I had about myself in eons. Eons! I did it! Just me! By myself! And those obstacles I thought would give me trouble, were easy as pie. Such as life you know?
A and I enjoyed the rest of our stay in Va at Colonial Williamsburg. We ate at a great restaurant and had the best peach and blackberry cobbler I'd ever had. I had room for it all. After running a 5k I had no qualms about stuffing my face with good food!
I am the warrior!
