Warrior Dash...

Hellbent_Heidi
Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Last year, when the registration prices were super low, I signed up to do a Warrior Dash, and even though its not till the end of July, I've since lost all motivation to train for it and do it. I work out all the time (spinning, walking, running, elliptical, strength training, rowing, etc..), but am pretty sure I could be doing more to prepare for this...

My question for those of you experienced 'warriors' who have done them before....what should I focus on the most? What did you find the most challenging?

Any additional tips and advice (training, clothing, shoes etc) would be much appreciated :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    *Upper body strength is important
    *Don't wear loose bottoms, or bottoms with pockets. These can fill with water and mud and slog. (Not that I would know from experience) <shift eyes>
    *I wore gloves for the ropes. 50/50 on whether I would do again. Yes it helped, but once they get wet it's kinda squishy
    *Tie your shoes tightly
    *Take lots of pictures before and especially after.
    *Have fun

    :wink:

    Oh and for ME, the most challenging was the terrain (hilly, rocky, dirt paths) and the 20 ft vertical cargo net. Once you get up, it's a long way down....
  • MudRunLvr
    MudRunLvr Posts: 226 Member
    You should focus on showing up and having a blast.

    It sounds like you've been putting in the work. It's only a 5K. The obstacles are not incredibly difficult. And it's not like you're there to set any records.

    Go. Get dirty. Have some fun. Get off the machines and find out just what you're capable of in the real world. You'll be impressed with yourself.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    *Oh and for ME, the most challenging was the terrain (hilly, rocky, dirt paths) and the 20 ft vertical cargo net. Once you get up, it's a long way down....
    This will definitely be a change for me...I guess its time to get out on my crappy dirt road and run there (maybe find some uphill places to train as well).

    Thanks for the pants tip too... I'd rather not lose my pants in public :laugh:
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I didn't focus on anything! I am a runner, and very athletic growing up.

    Most importantly, HAVE FUN


    Sounds like you are fine, and will do it no problem. The hardest part for me was the hills. Everything else was just fun :)

    ** wear CRAPPY shoes as most donate them after in a big pile
    ** spandex shorts/skort
    ** tank top

    Nothing lose that will slow you down and you get drenchsed pretty early in the tidle wave
  • Rogiefreida
    Rogiefreida Posts: 567 Member
    You and me both OP. My dash is also at the end of July and I keep experiencing setbacks in my training thanks to some annoying lymphadema in my arm.

    I'm focusing on upper body strength and endurance. Sounds like you will probably have no problem if you are working out regularly.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    I *KINDA* want to try this bc a friend is encouraging me to do so BUT I suck at climbing and I'm afraid of heights. The comment "a long way down" makes me really second guess.... :indifferent:
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    *Oh and for ME, the most challenging was the terrain (hilly, rocky, dirt paths) and the 20 ft vertical cargo net. Once you get up, it's a long way down....
    This will definitely be a change for me...I guess its time to get out on my crappy dirt road and run there (maybe find some uphill places to train as well).

    Thanks for the pants tip too... I'd rather not lose my pants in public :laugh:

    Running my 1st one on June 29th with my son. Both of us served in the Marines so it should be a blast!
  • bogo_baby
    bogo_baby Posts: 82 Member
    Honestly, I did the Warrior Dash last year and I did not prep for strength at all. I finished and missed only one obstacle because my shoes had flat, slick soles (I don't recommend that at ALL).

    I was training for running, I did no additional strength and did fine :)

    If you want to work out for it, I think they have training plans. Upper body is always good :)
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    I *KINDA* want to try this bc a friend is encouraging me to do so BUT I suck at climbing and I'm afraid of heights. The comment "a long way down" makes me really second guess.... :indifferent:

    The wall in my WD was a 20 ft cargo net straight up. Going up I was fine, it's when I had to swing over the top that I got queasy. Once I was on my way back down though it was ok. Just...don't look down too much. :wink:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    It's been two years since I did mine, and they might have changed things, but it was really more fun than a challenge. I didn't have much upper body strength then (compared to now) and had no problem with any of the obstacles.

    I agree with the advice "show up and have fun." :drinker:

    And be prepared to be very sore the next day. Also a good idea to bring some kind of wet naps to better clean any scrapes or cuts you get. They'll be packed with mud, and the hosing doesn't clean you all that well. I had a ton of tiny scratches on my knees from the mud pit ( I swear it was filled with cement mix, not mud!) and a few bigger cuts from tripping on tree roots. :embarassed:
  • pobalita
    pobalita Posts: 741 Member
    It sounds to me like you are in shape already. If you are, you will have no problem doing the race. For anyone very fit, this run is no challenge at all. For anyone just starting out - the obstacles are accessible to people of all fitness levels and the running is broken up by the obstacles - you never have to run more than half a mile or so before you get to an obstacle (and sometimes wait a long time). This is really more a fun beer run.

    My only advice is to be careful at the top of walls so you don't slip because you are muddy.

    Warrior Dash is a lot of fun. You will enjoy it.
  • ChristyP0303
    ChristyP0303 Posts: 212 Member
    I have completed 2 Warrior Dash runs...even at 250ish pounds. The hardest for me was the jogging in fields. Hitting holes and catching me off balance or twisting an ankle. I skipped a couple of obstacles I thought I couldn't complete. (Ones requiring upper body strength)

    I second the dont wear anything with pockets or items made of cotton. Learned that the first time when my pants were 3 times the size they were when I started. I ended up taking them off, throwing them away and walking around in my panties. :-/

    I also had gloves which I ended up throwing away halfway through. They werent worth it.

    Pack a bag and check it in. Baby wipes and a towel came in handy. Of course, I had a 2 hour drive home.

    TIE YOUR SHOES! Lost one in the mud and it was only the first obstacle!
  • sammyneb
    sammyneb Posts: 257
    like everyone said, show up and have fun! I ran the warrior dash last year and am doing it again in 3 weeks :)
    1) tie shoes on tight!
    2) if comfortable, I suggest just wearing the sports bra and spandex bottoms, anything else gets in the way
    3) careful of the "fireman pole" it is wet and it is a stretch to get to if you are shorter like me (5"4") and if you don't get a good grip you go down FAST I do believe someone broke their ankle on that one
    4)get lots of pictures and drink some beer
    5) run with a friend or two if possible, it isn't really a race so running with friends is a lot more fun!
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    If you're truly running for time, then this probably isn't a good suggestion. Last year I signed up my 16 yo niece to run with me, and I took along a waterproof camera. Took lots of pics, mostly of her, on the obstacles. Was truly fun to have the pictures. But if you're trying to push yourself, you may not want to bother with photos during. Just a thought.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    If you're truly running for time, then this probably isn't a good suggestion. Last year I signed up my 16 yo niece to run with me, and I took along a waterproof camera. Took lots of pics, mostly of her, on the obstacles. Was truly fun to have the pictures. But if you're trying to push yourself, you may not want to bother with photos during. Just a thought.
    Nah...I'm not worried about the time. I love the waterproof camera idea, as long as my buddies are cool with waiting for the slower runner to keep up I signed up with some girls I went to high-school with (if you can still call us "girls' at this age :huh: ). They're more serious runners than I am though, so they'll likely be ahead of me. I just want to finish in one piece without making a fool of myself :laugh:

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