Warrior Dash - Best Way to Train (have you done it)?

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  • myndee
    myndee Posts: 19 Member
    some friends and I have signed up for the OK Warrior Dash also in Sept!! I'm soooo excited! :drinker:
  • gingerfoxxx
    gingerfoxxx Posts: 267 Member
    I will also be doing warrior dash. I have a lot of friends who i wouldn't call athletic complete it last year. It sounds like just a fun challenging course rather than something that is more finish time focused. Good luck!!!
  • lipps2012
    lipps2012 Posts: 1
    My friend and I just signed up for WD, too. We have NO idea what we're doing, but are excited about the adventure. There is a strength training portion on the actual website. I've pulled it up and printed it. I think if we just go with it, it will be fine. Like you, my goal is to complete it!

    Good luck!
    Stacey
  • joakool
    joakool Posts: 434 Member
    I'm doing one in June. Here to get some pointers.
  • onefitdiva
    onefitdiva Posts: 331 Member
    http://www.warriordash.com/register2012_pennsylvania.php

    Pa location and course. It is at the Pocono Race way. I am supposed to do it with friends but have an issue with heights and the repelling kinda concerns me, but I may do it and skip that obstacle, I do not care if I get disqualified, I am going to have fun and do my best.
  • Josee76
    Josee76 Posts: 533 Member
    I'm also doing the WD (Ontario, Canada) July 21st - it's not our first one, I did it last year! If you can run a 5k and you workout regularly, you won't have any problems (you'll just get really dirty!)
  • HeatherMN
    HeatherMN Posts: 3,821 Member
    I did Warrior Dash in Minnesota last year and was worried about the obstacles but they were so not a problem (and this coming from someone with a weak upper body!). I love it and am signed up to do it again this year. As with any race, those competing for times will start at the front of the pack and stay there and those just wanting to have fun will stick to the back.

    There really isn't any training necessary if you're a somewhat active person who isn't afraid to just go for it. My sister did no training, other than walking on the treadmill and the boyfriend did no training other than our typical weekend hiking. I was running, but didn't do any strength training. We all finished within four minutes of each other.

    I highly recommend costumes, though. Oh, and tie your shoes tighter than you think you want them to be or the mud will suck them right off your foot! You can donate shoes after Warrior Dash at the sites, throw shoes away (I did that) or wash them (boyfriend did that). Bring alternative footwear if donating there because the flip flops they sell are a bit spendy.

    No matter what, just have fun!!
  • elzettel
    elzettel Posts: 256
    Interesting detail from a friend - I had asked about his experience and how he trained. Is it OK to walk if needed, etc... Here is his response below (Names changed to protect the innocent)

    # # #

    FriendA did it last year with me and he never trained for it. Really, it's not very serious. Much of the course is single track trails, so you are likely to get caught behind someone else walking anyway. The obstacles were not that tough, the toughest was a rope wall, but that was easy for most anyway.

    Really, you just got be willing to get muddy and have a good time. There will be people actually racing (Wifes's friend got second overall for the entire day!), but they'll be at the start. Conversely, there were people already drunk that almost fell over before it even started. there were TONS of college kids, made me feel like an old man.

    I'd really just jog for 30 minutes straight to train, so that you are used to your heart pounding for that long. Or, start running. Don't worry about training for obstacles, but pushups and pullups would make you a beast.

    I second your friend's advice. I am a runner but found most of the time you were caught behind others and ended up waiting for your turn on the obstacle. For the most part it really was all about having fun with a group of friends. I'd say your regular routine is probably just fine. If you add in a C25K program you'd be more than ready. It was fun to do once but I don't think I'd do another. Have fun and be safe!
  • NightOwl1
    NightOwl1 Posts: 881 Member
    I'm training for Tough Mudder in December, which is similar to Warrior Dash but 10-12 miles instead of 3. I'm doing C25K to get up on the running (and then probably moving to a more serious running training program) and working on core strength for the obstacles. The key to most of them is your ability to support and maneuver your own body weight, so pushups, pull ups, core holds, and a variety of ab exercises are essential. Other than that, just mix in your other workouts into the training for variety and over all fitness.
  • Puddykat1026
    Puddykat1026 Posts: 164 Member
    They just did the one in Central Florida 2 weeks ago. I missed it :grumble: Bummer. Guess I can try next year :bigsmile:
  • jeanarae1983
    jeanarae1983 Posts: 14 Member
    I did it last summer and didn't train at all. If you want to train, here is what you need to do:

    *Run some cross-country. Include lots of hills and uneven trails
    *Work on your upper body strength. Most obstacles were reliant on being able to get over walls or pull yourself up.
    *Be prepared to have a ton of fun!
  • omna379
    omna379 Posts: 15
    A good training tool that gets you ready would be, lace up a pair of boots and find a good sticky muddy field and run across it back and fourth very extreme training. Good Luck
  • evansproudmama
    evansproudmama Posts: 493 Member
    I almost piggy-backed off another thread here, but thought this question more specific.

    Anyone have suggestions on HOW to train for the warrior dash? I've dropped 40lbs and am doing strength training and some cardio but am in no way a runner. My cardio and endurance probably suck on an epic scale. If I can't run, would I be out of place walking part of it? My goal may to be just to finish.


    If you haven't heard of it - check out www.warriordash.com. I have had friends RAVE about it - looks like a cross of a crazy obstical course, in the mud, while wearing a viking hat and drinking beer in celebration.

    Im thinking my thread was the one you where going to piggy back off of lol but Im glad you posted cause im really into the idea I just wanted to see who else has had experience! Thanks again
  • Glasspack
    Glasspack Posts: 105 Member
    I ran the Warrior Dash last in the Pocono's (PA) last year and am doing it again this year. It's a great time and there are many fitness levels there.

    Congrats on losing the 40lbs before I forget.

    Weight training will help for some of the climbing and and barricade obstacles but I would at least do some jogging. Walking 3 miles going from obstacle to obstacle can take a will but if you can do a light jog between each one you should be fine. The big thing is have fun with it but watch out for the turkey leg at the food stand that thing has a ton of calories.
  • sandy_taylor13
    sandy_taylor13 Posts: 194 Member
    Last year I did the Camp Pendelton Mud Run. I used P90X and Insanity to train for it and had a great time.
  • ctlinj7
    ctlinj7 Posts: 151 Member
    I'm hoping to do it here in Illinois for the first time but from what I hear, it's more for fun than any serious running. My plan is to jog most of it. If I'm paying $65 to do this I'd rather go steady and enjoy everyone getting dirty and having fun than just trying to get through it as fast as possible.


    Where in IL?????
  • niffer0322
    niffer0322 Posts: 1 Member
    I did the WD last year and it really isn't that difficult. It isn't very long in distance and is VERY fun jumping over and through old cars...doing the slip and slide..crawling through tunnels. A bootcamp type of training is good or even crossfit. I do crossfit a lot so this type of run was super easy. Not very difficult obstacles..more fun than anything. We brought a waterproof camera and took pictures throughout the race.
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    A few guys from the gym and myself are doing either the Warrior Dash or the Spartan Race in preparation for the Tough Mudder race. I've been doing a lot of cardio, 5ks on the treadmill and road. Powerlifting and also calisthenics(push ups,dips,crunches,P90X).
  • Glasspack
    Glasspack Posts: 105 Member
    I'm not a fan of heights either but made over the wall without any problem, there will be plenty of people cheering you on to get over every obstacle.
  • sm423
    sm423 Posts: 208 Member
    I'm doing the WD here in Hawaii in March. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm also training for a half, so I'm not as worried about my endurance for running as I am for anything that might have to do with upper body strength......
  • healthycathy
    healthycathy Posts: 1
    I did Warrior Dash in Mt Morris Michigan last year with my cousin. She trained for it using couch to 5k fitness program link here http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml and I trained similarly. Running 5 days a week, weight sets, pushups, and rotating Zumba Fitness Live video and Jillian Michaels cardio workout This was my first 5k and I was suprised at the number of runners that seemed to be beginners and were not consistently running during the race. Lots of costumes, and beer. I attended for the personal challenge of obstacles and time and found it to be a lot easier than I'd imagined it would be but that may be credited to being prepared. It was fun, but I commited to running it with her and found I wasn't able to do my personal best while also being part of a team since we were at different levels of fitness or whatever, I found myself waiting more than I'd wanted to. I'm doing my 2nd 5k this March with my daughter and we've agreed to not wait for each other since we both want to do our personal best. Just something I hadn't thought of previously...Good luck to you, and have FUN!
  • reforberg
    reforberg Posts: 4 Member
    I did the Warrior Dash in WI this past October. I was already a runner, so I knew I could go the distance. I was concerned with the obstacles, but they weren't that difficult as far as having the strength to do them. However, some were a bit intimidating for me because of height and also because I am only 5' 1". Overall, it was an exhilarating experience and a lot of fun. I highly recommend getting a group of friends together to do it and just have fun with it.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    run on incline, interval training on cardi machines, weight training.

    you will do great :)
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    I did it in colorado last year, it is a crazy obstacle course, the part that sucks is that the mud is pretty early on! so, for training I would say just be as strong and fit as you can be. It is 5k so you should work yourself up to running that (have you seen couch to 5k training program, I did that and it's great) but lots of people walk! you would not be out of place.
  • bluiz13
    bluiz13 Posts: 3,550 Member
    i did it in december (45mins was our finish time) and was/am training for a 1/2 marathon on 2/26 so i had the running part covered with my interval runs anyway, plus i had/have been doing new rules of lifting for women to cover the strength training part....i was very afraid i was NOT going to be able to do it even being in the shape that i thought/think i am...it was easy...well at least it seemed easy because of the excitement and the adrenaline while doing it with my friend...just keep doing what you are doing (work your upper body a bit more for the rope/wall work) and you'll do great...there were lots and lots of people WALKING at ours and i think we had like 7000 participants - i saw A LOTTTTTTTTTTT walking lol....
    you'll do great but most of all have a wonderful time and GET MUDDY for sure...
    denise
  • kristinraynor
    kristinraynor Posts: 3
    I really want to try it but it's a long drive from me! It is on my bucket list though! Good luck to all!
  • kmjenkins
    kmjenkins Posts: 396 Member
    Bump
  • ahni77
    ahni77 Posts: 75
    only meant to do 1 last year but I had so much fun that i signed up for a 2nd one in a neighboring state. You can definitely walk. If you have decent upper strength, no fear of heights and can run/jog/walk, you'll do just fine. Only training I did last year was running and I finished both in 30 to 33 minutes. MAKE SURE YOU USE A PAIR of gym shows YOU DON'T CARE FOR MUCH. they're going to be complettely ruined!!
  • Gilliamzoo
    Gilliamzoo Posts: 72 Member
    I think a lot of it depends on where you're doing it. I did it a couple years ago in Colorado and the first part was basically running up a ski slope. I did it with 2 of my friends and we decided to stick together, so when one walked we all did. I know I could have done it faster, but there's always next time. We had a great time doing it. Cardio is really the key to it, although a bit of strength training would be good too. Also, something else to keep in mind- mud makes clothes really heavy. So when you're planning your costume....and you have to have a costume....keep that in mind. Good luck!
  • Dan112358
    Dan112358 Posts: 525 Member
    I'm signing up for the one in Ontario, Canada on July 21. Should be a lot of fun. There are lots of youtube videos if people want to check it out:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kz6poULio
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