Training for Badass Dash

Hey there,

I'm trying to lose some inches (and pounds - but I'll take inches over pounds any day!) so I can fit into my wedding dress this summer. I'm also aware that a month after my wedding, I'm going to be in the Badass Dash race (again!). (Badass dash is 7km obstacle race with approx. 30 obstacles).

I need to lose the inches to get into my dress and I need to be training for my race.

On the arc trainer - I burn 370+ cals in about 1/2 an hour (regardless if the cals are accurate or not). I burn fewer calories on the treadmill (walking on steep incline) and stairmaster for the same amount of time. I feel like the arc trainer is good for calorie burning but the other machines are better for actually using my body in a way that will help for the race..

I do 30 minutes cardio and about 30 minutes strength training (attempting to lift heavy) 3-4x/week.

I need to lose inches (and pounds) AND ensure I'm preparing my body for the race. Do I burn the calories (from arc trainer) or stick to the other machines that are more likely (??) to help me prepare my body, and then continue with my strength training?

That feels convoluted... lol thanks for any thoughts.