How to prepare for a Warrior Dash?

mrtentaclenun · June 2011

Warning: A LOT OF QUESTIONS! If you read this all you're amazing.

Hey everyone, I am nervous and excited because I am going to sign up for my first Warrior Dash on August 28th! I have already gotten a lot of great advice from LorinaLynn but I figured I might as well ask the whole community for any tips!

My main worry is as follows: I have 10 weeks until the warrior dash. I am not at all a runner, in fact I just finished week 1 of c25k, so in theory I will finish c25k with two weeks to spare if I do my math right? This will be my first 5k ever, and lord did I pick one! Am I in over my head? I really want to do this but I am so afraid I won't be able to run a 5k by then, or that since I only run on treadmills, running outside will kill me and I won't be able to run the whole way. The thing is with where I live, it is extremely unpractical for me to run outside due to my neighborhoods location and the safest running trail is a 30 minute drive. Will I be ok running all of c25k on a treadmill and then maybe the two weeks before run on those trails? Or is it better to start running trails at a sooner point in c25k? If i do start running outside, how do I know how far I have run?

And perhaps my most embarrassing question is that I am a very very frequent pee-er and do not think at this point I could make it without having to pee! Is this something I really need to be worried about? Or will running make me sweat so much I no longer need to pee?

So I wanna hear experiences! I wanna hear tips! I wanna hear motivation (ha)! I wanna know I am not crazy for picking such a huge goal for myself!

Thanks!

jkleman79 · June 2011

We are training for the USMC mud run on october 15th. I say GO FOR IT!! I can not run much at all and hell I have a pound of metal in my damn leg but who cares. If I can do it you can do it! Its all mental and well somewhat physical but I dont see why you wouldnt be able to. =0) GO AND ROCK IT SISTA!!!!

Here is my post from this morning!! read it and re read it...until nothing can stop you!!!

I fight a battle every day
Against discouragement and fear;
Some foe stands always in my way,
The path ahead is never clear!
I must forever be on guard
Against the doubts that skulk along;
I get ahead by fighting hard,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong.

I hear the croakings of Despair,
The dark predictions of the weak;
I find myself pursued by Care,
No matter what the end I seek;
My victories are small and few,
It matters not how hard I strive;
Each day the fight begins anew,
But fighting keeps my hopes alive.

My dreams are spoiled by circumstance,
My plans are wrecked by Fate or Luck;
Some hour, perhaps, will bring my chance,
But that great hour has never struck;
My progress has been slow and hard,
I've had to climb and crawl and swim,
Fighting for every stubborn yard,
But I have kept in fighting trim.

I have to fight my doubts away,
And be on guard against my fears;
The feeble croaking of Dismay
Has been familiar through the years;
My dearest plans keep going wrong,
Events combine to thwart my will,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong,
And I am undefeated still!

S.E. Kiser

TheKitsune6 · June 2011

I have not completed Warrior Dash but I'm training for the next round it makes in my area next year. I just completed week 5 of c25k though so I have some tips on that front.

Running on a treadmill and running outside are totally different on your body. The sooner you get used to running outside the better. Maybe even switching off between running the trails and running the treadmill depending on what's most convenient for that day. Running outside gives you more immediate control of just how fast you want to go, but unless you have a footpod or something you'd have a more difficult time knowing how far you go. I run next to a road so I'm able to go to logyourrun.com and it follows the roads and estimates the distance for me.

I forgot to use the restroom before one of my runs and I have to tell you - once you start going and get into it, you don't remember you have to go until it's over. Frankly even then it couldn't take you more than an hour to complete the run so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Of course if it's that much of a problem when they get to the river part you can just... go? Hahahaha

Don't forget to train for the obstacles as well as the running part!

Finally, it can't hurt to get more comfortable with running before you sign up for the warrior dash so you have a better idea of if you would be in over your head or not. Don't worry about it too much though - I was wondering how the hell I was going to run for twenty minutes this morning and I completed it with energy to spare (and I have asthma!) Even if you do sign up there's no shame in walking in some parts if it gets crazy.

Best of luck!

therobinator · June 2011

I am doing a Warrior Dash also. I would recommend run training.....maybe intervals. As long as you can run approximately 3 miles, even with stopping and starting, trail or no trail, treadmill or not, I think you will be fine. And maybe do some strength training to get your muscles ready for the obstacles. I know there are plenty of people who will not "run" the whole time, and some may even walk the whole way. You may even need to take breaks after certain obstacles before you can get up running again....who knows. The thing to focus on is just finishing, don't worry about being forst or last.

As far as I am concerned, the Warrior Dash is just a motivator to get me exercising every day by training for it....and that's what really matters in the long term.

Shizzman · June 2011

Cross training with dogs chasing you :P Just kidding about the dogs. Obstacles mean you need running, strength, and skills. Try to do what you can to replicate some of the obstacles so that you can try them out before the race, if possible....etc

In regards to the need to pee, for me I really feel like I need to go when I get nervous....so right before a race I'll sometimes really feel that way, once I get going and can just get to the race it isn't an issue cause I'm active and not waiting/nervous.

BullDozier · June 2011

If it makes you feel any better, I have a "Go Commando" race on June 25th. It sort of snuck up on me because I've been busy working on buying a house, and now packing up my old house, I haven't done a lick of exercise since I signed up. I'm getting a little nervous now, but my wife won't let me back out. It's going to be quite the experience!

heidikins7 · June 2011

I'm doing the Warrior Dash this Sunday, 6/19. It'll be interesting, I just did a 5K two weeks ago, but it was a serious one and I managed to finish. The WD is all about fun.... I'll let you know how it turns out.

crtrautman360 · June 2011

I'm doing the Warrior Dash this august too! I've heard that most people do it for fun and not competitively!

Plus I think everyone is drunk for the most part!

marilou32 · June 2011

Hey! Awesome! I'm excited for you! I did my first Warrior Dash last month and I am not a runner. In fact, I only recently started running more often to keep fit. I was usually a treadmill runner and ran occasionally outside. I guess I kinda got bitten by the running bug because I am hooked. I tried a 5K & 3K and the 5K killed me...I completed the race in 42 minutes...in the rain! I was struggling...but good to get the experience. I did a 3K the weekend before Warrior Dash and I felt way more confident about that run...I kept a good pace and my breathing was good all the way through. The Warrior Dash was the ultimate but to be quite honest I had a lot of fun! I did the one in MD and half of the race was in the woods and the other half was under the sun in the blazing heat! The obstacles really keep your mind off the running but once I was out of the woods...the heat was really weighing me down. NO WORRIES...you'll do great! You'll get muddy, stuck in the mud, splashed on with muddy water, and right when you think it's over...you have the other half of the course to complete....trust me not scary. I was in the same shoes as you...I was pretty freaked! I watched YouTube video's to see how others experienced it. It's all fun and yes there are some serious runners and competitive folks but mostly folks ready to take on a muddy challenge. I watched some people walk through most of the course or skip some of the obstacles. It's all up to you on how you want to play the game! My preparation was mainly treadmill running but there is a huge difference in terrain. It sucks but the treadmill is a big lie compared to being on a course...at least for me. I feel a big difference now that I run outside more. I am still trying to improve my running...I can do 2 miles solid outside, with hills! Girrl...you've got 10 week so I think you definitely have time to prepare. Each week just alternate between outside and treadmill running. Yes..you will sweat lots especially if your wave is in the middle of the day. My wave was at 2:30pm. If you have anymore questions...shoot me a message or add me! You got this girl...you will have so much and you will want to do it again! I am currently planning my next Warrior Dash in October...in VA. My friend introduced me to this and now she does other mud runs! You'll do great! You'll have fun doing it and in the end you'll get rewarded with a medal, a cool viking hat and lots of beer and good food!! ENJOY IT! :happy: :drinker:

heidikins7 · June 2011

So, I'm back to report that I loved the WD! I will definitely participate next year. The obstacles kicked my butt, though! I have absolutely no upper body strength, so let me tell you I am HURTING today. I still managed to finish in 45 min.... not bad for all the mud and slipping and sliding around.

How to prepare for a Warrior Dash?

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