Warrior Run

On Sunday July 22 I ran the Warrior Dash for the second time completing it in 1hr3mins.  It was a great time yet again this year.  Coined as the craziest fricken day of your life on a 3.2 mile obstacle course.  I don't know about the craziest day but definitely one of the funnest.  Obstacles consisted of a cargo net climb approx 30 feet up, balance beams, belly crawls through mud and under barbed wire, leaping fire and can't forget the slip n' slide.  The slip n slide last year I learnt 2 valuable lessons 1) There definitely comes a point when you are to old for slip n slides and 2) DO NOT DIVE.  This year I remembered these 2 key lessons and sat down at the top of the slide and pushed off - making away with no injury but a short full load of mud.  So I still haven't figured out the damn slip n slide maybe next year will be the charm.

I'd had a rough work day today so I headed out for my scheduled 4 mile run - my longest distance to date.  It was tough definitely but reminded me of my favourite tip for increasing distance or pushing through a mental block - focus on a small achievable distance instead of the total distance left.  Hold on let me explain before you get all up in arms.  Like I said today was my 4 mile run.  So I ran the first mile, did a walk/run for the next 1.5 miles and now this is where that tip comes in.  At 2.5 miles I focused on running just the next 0.5 miles once that distance was complete I was tired and quitting would have been easy but quitting doesn't help you move forward so focus on the next easy.  If at this point I had told myself only 1 more mile I wouldn't of been able to do it.  Instead I focused on just one more lamp post, street light, block whatever is close and feels doable.  I did this for the entire last mile so instead of only running 0.5 more miles I ran the entire 1.5 mile end.  So remember small achievable goals because you can always run one more street light or fence post.  Your mind will always give out before your legs or lungs.

And remember "Nothings impossible, the word itself says I'm possible" until next time happy running.

Cheers, Natasha

Wonderful Natasha!  I feel as though I can offer some insight to the concerns with the slip and slide at last year's Warrior Dash.  This kids is why you should never dive on to any type of slide, ever.  No need to worry after a tetanus shot and a round of antibiotics I was on the mend and there is barely a hint a scar (warrior wound) left on my arm.  The point of not diving onto a slip and slide is solid advice, especially when the slip and slide is located on a ski hill.  One of the race people at that obstacle was telling people to go faster, I looked up and saw some not even making it down the entire way.  Naturally I took this to mean I should sprint up to the slip and slide, which resulted in my diving onto it by accident instead of simply sitting on it.  I did manage to get to a seating position right before the slide ended and I crashed in to what I feel was a very tall and solid man, but only after travelling on torn up grass with rocks first.  My right side took a real beating, swelling and cuts all over my thigh, several cuts on my forearm and a cut on my hand.  Of course all injuries but the hand become infected a few days after the race, and let me tell you the doctor I saw at the clinic did have a laugh at my expense and suggested I refrain from such crazy antics.  Oh if only he knew the trouble Natasha and I get in to together, see half marathon for example.

My Warrior Wound, it actually doesn't look as badly as it felt or looked in real life in this picture.


Might I add:

And that my friends is why you never dive into a slip n slide.