The Warriors!
Last Saturday’s Warrior Dash BC timelime:
- Stomach flips when I see the hills while going up to the course on gondola.
- Needs to pee really bad. Almost suffocates in outhouse.
- Talks to people who went in previous waves who’ve already finished the race; advised us to walk up the first hill and be sure to have good shoes for the steep downhills. Starts worrying.
- Almost dies from extreme nervousness at start line while looking up the 2km hill we had to run up.
- Whistle blows… guys shoot past me.
- I go, “f**k this.” So much for trying to keep up with them.
- Manages to jog up half of the hill but only to turn the bend and sees more hills … and more hills. Totally demoralizing.
- Thighs burning, heart about to give out. Tempted to crawl up the rest of the way.
- Wants to shoot self.
- Keeps on saying to myself, “I’M NOT A F**KING WARRIOR!!“
- 2km later, somehow managed to push myself to the top without stopping.
- Sees Boyfriend waiting at top for me. He had to forfeit racing with the guys because he knew I was going to have a lot of trouble going downhill because of my bad knees. ♥
- Climbs over walls and under barbed wire, up cargo nets, over a plank, more hills (but not as bad)… the rest of the course was okay (except for the downhills) but I took it real easy.
- Kicks mud in boyfriend’s eyes while passing him in the mud pit. NOT ON PURPOSE, I SWEAR.
- Crosses finish line… before Boyfriend (while he was momentarily blinded by mud). Hyukhyukhyuk.
- Secretly satisfied because I never beat Boyfriend in anything (but I knew if he actually tried, he would’ve been at least 10 minutes ahead of me).
People did this race for fun but I wanted to see how far I could push myself.
I was disappointed.
I was NOT ready for this. I went into this with no research, not knowing how long it was (5km) and not expecting that many hills. I just thought, “OOH WARRIOR DASH! SOUNDS FUN!“Â I haven’t been doing ANY long distance cardio training for over a month; I’ve been doing Crossfit, plyometrics, sprints and basically anything and everything that trains my fast twitch muscles but nothing where I had to test my endurance for a long period of time.
I wasn’t my usual self and could not push myself hard enough to move faster. I knew I could’ve achieved a much better time but I had to slowly walk all the downhill parts because of my bad knees so the fact that I knew I wouldn’t get a good time didn’t help either, otherwise I knew I would’ve pushed myself ten times harder! I also only had a piece of toast and couple eggs for breakfast so I wish I fueled up more.
Results:
- My time was 38:24.90
- Placed 60th in my age group
- 1313/3913 overall =(
Despite not being prepared for it, I had so much fun and can’t wait to do it again next year!
The Course
Did I mention I ate poutine almost everyday that weekend? Almost. I had to gather up some major willpower to walk past it on Saturday night. I swear, I ate more pasta that weekend than I usually do in a year though.
KATY:
That’s awesome, go you! There’s been a few of those advertised here in CO, but I don’t have the balls to give them a try this year; maybe next.
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Katy
August 11th, 2011 |
It’s actually not that bad because it’s not really a race… you can do it for fun and go at your own pace. Even walk the entire thing if you want.
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OMG katy, after looking at that course. YOU are my WARRIOR lol.. awesome job! looks soo fun!
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Katy
August 11th, 2011 |
NEXT YEAR… ALL THE GIRLS! We can dress up in cute costumes too!
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One of the things I love about outdoor distance running is that it really pushes my endurance limits & teaches me how to run hills without killing myself. Granted, races are always a little bit nervewracking & it’s really hard not to give 110% in the first 5 minutes but I think that long distance running prepped me quite a bit for when I did the Warrior Dash.
With all the training you’re doing now, I’m sure you’ll do awesome for the next race! You had a lot of fun doing it though right? I thought it was the most hilarious race ever!
Also, your abs look friggin fantastic!!!
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Katy
August 11th, 2011 |
You know how I’ve been saying I’m going to start training with my running… I haven’t even started yet! I found out that I really don’t have the patience for long distance cardio.
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This sounds IN-TENSE! You did really good. It usually takes me that long to do 3 miles on regular flat surface. It’s so motivating to see/read you doing all these intense outdoor fitness activities.
BTW, your stomach looks amaze!!
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Katy
September 16th, 2011 |
Thanks Jen! I’m still a horrible runner though… still haven’t gotten into it yet.
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like jen said, “sounds intense.” your time seems really good to me, but i kinda suck. glad you had fun!
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HEY! Wasn’t that hosted by UBC? I don’t know, I get confused easily, ha. Exams, darn you. I really wish I had more time to partake in these types of activities, it’d be oodles of fun, sometimes being an overachiever (falling short of it 99.99% of the time) sucks.
P.S. Poutine? Where? Sign me up!
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Katy
September 16th, 2011 |
I have no idea but they might’ve been a sponsor.
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THIS. IS. AWESOME!! I’ve been running (in dedication) for almost 2 months now and it has always been outdoors 3-4 nights a week after work. I’ve become quite addicted to it really, the minute I get home I change and go out straight away. I think being in a race is crazy nerve-wracking though! Not ready for it yet.. I still have yet to reach 5k but I will get there soon, 2 more k’s! My route has always been a bit uphill but not as crazy as that, you’re a warrior! Now I’ve realized I love outdoor cardio more than indoor when I can really feel the breeze with the sweat running down my neck haha
Also, your abs! You go, girl. They are great! Kudos to all your hard work
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The course is effing crazy!! You did a great job for not being prepared for that type of course. It’s always fun to push yourself to do different things with your body and see how it reacts (sprints vs. long distance, etc.) I don’t have much patience for long-distance running either (get so bored and mind wanders).
and holy crap – your 6 pack is BEAUTIFUL looking! hehe.
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Katy
September 16th, 2011 |
Haha I wish it was visible all the time. If only.
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wow, your determination and perseverance never cease to amaze me. that’s incredible. congrats on finishing the course!
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Awww TP is SO sweet.
I had a gf that did this too! It looks like…. hell. Props to you. I will never. But I’ll cheer you on!
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Warrior dash is happening at my city, unfortunately im not at my best to do races yet. I will next year, I also wanted to thank you, I go to your blog for ass kicking advice on work outs. Especially, when i need it.
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You did really well! I felt a lot the same about the race, I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be, but I really pushed myself. I almost peed myself at the sight of that hill at the start line. I did a light jog up to the half way point and had a huge sigh of dissapointment when I realized it went on just as far around the bend. Didnt stop once though, no matter how hunched over. I rolled in at a modest 42mins 115/350 in my age group. Couldnt sit or bend for two days after. All in all, a great experience though. There’s apparently a Spartan race in May in Vancouver, my trainers encouraging me to get in on it. I just might.
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Katy
September 16th, 2011 |
Thanks for the heads up Amber… I told my friends about the Spartan race and I really want to do it too! You should do it… it’s fun and you don’t always have to do it competitively.
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