I ran my first ever Warrior Dash in Jackson, MS on 4-20-13! WHOOO! So now that I've marked that off the bucket list, I think I'll end up doing it again!
For all you first-timers out there, I offer this advice:
~ Duct tape your shoes- it will keep your shoes on during your trudging in the mud, and it will also keep your shoes from coming untied- the chip they give you in your race packet goes on your shoe, and you don't want to lose it! It will also keep some mud from getting into your shoes- you'll still get mud in them, but just not as much. You'll slip, yes, but even with the best shoes, you'll slip--your shoes are going to be caked with mud anyways.
~Pin your bib on somewhere smart- Some people's bibs got torn on the barbed wire because they decided to put it on their back. I had mine on my chest. You decide where you want to put it. It's held on there by 4 safety pins they give you.
~Get there early! There will be a lot of people going- so try to get the earliest spot available- especially if it's your first time running- the obstacle courses aren't run-in and slimy as they would be if you went later on in the day and hundreds of people had ran before you. Also, try to get there an hour and a half before your run- you'll need to get your wristband for your free beer, wait in line for your race packet (it has your bib #, safety pins, chip, fuzzy viking helmet, and t-shirt in it) and look around and get your bearings. Plan accordingly.
~If you're over 21 and want a free beer, go to the ID booth after you pick up your race packet. Don't go to baggage check next! You can only check in your stuff once- once the people behind the counter have it, that's it- the next time you want to look through it, it's yours for the rest of the day and you can't turn it back in. So, go to the ID booth, get your wristband, and THEN go to baggage check.
~Stop freaking out! Yes, it's a 5k run with obstacles. BUT, it's not mandatory for you to run! After the first part of the course, you'll want to walk and save your strength for the obstacles! Remember, JUST HAVE FUN! You may be at the last of the line, but don't worry- that'll change with each obstacle you go through!
~Be a buddy-help someone out! I ran the Warrior Dash alone, but halfway through I made two friends, Wendy and Amanda, who helped me over an obstacle- we stuck together and helped each other through the rest of the Dash. You'll always have a helping hand from someone if you get stuck- I had quite a few people help me out.
~The obstacles aren't mandatory- If the obstacles are out of your range of expertise, or you get cold feet about that really tall wall...you can skip it. I've heard in other Dashes, you didn't get a metal at the end if you didn't do an obstacle, but with the one I went to, it didn't count against me. Also, if you miss your run time, just run with another group!
~Wear something you could afford to throw away- Your clothes may never come clean again. You can also dress up for the costume contest and run in that- I saw an entire bridal party run- the chick was in a wedding dress and the groom had his tux on! I decided to wear my skin-tight compression leggings and a skin-tight Underarmour shirt--it helped me slide through the mud, and I didn't have to worry about getting caught on anything- I also wore my ponytail low for the same reason. Also, I washed my clothes and they are just fine. My shoes are another story. So, just in case, use something crappy. You're not there to look pretty- you're there to get caked in mud!
I am NOT athletic by any means- unless you mean playing videogames. I'm slightly overweight, I hate exercise, and I get out of breath easily. I'm also only 5 feet tall. If I can do it, so can you!
For all you first-timers out there, I offer this advice:
~ Duct tape your shoes- it will keep your shoes on during your trudging in the mud, and it will also keep your shoes from coming untied- the chip they give you in your race packet goes on your shoe, and you don't want to lose it! It will also keep some mud from getting into your shoes- you'll still get mud in them, but just not as much. You'll slip, yes, but even with the best shoes, you'll slip--your shoes are going to be caked with mud anyways.
~Pin your bib on somewhere smart- Some people's bibs got torn on the barbed wire because they decided to put it on their back. I had mine on my chest. You decide where you want to put it. It's held on there by 4 safety pins they give you.
~Get there early! There will be a lot of people going- so try to get the earliest spot available- especially if it's your first time running- the obstacle courses aren't run-in and slimy as they would be if you went later on in the day and hundreds of people had ran before you. Also, try to get there an hour and a half before your run- you'll need to get your wristband for your free beer, wait in line for your race packet (it has your bib #, safety pins, chip, fuzzy viking helmet, and t-shirt in it) and look around and get your bearings. Plan accordingly.
~If you're over 21 and want a free beer, go to the ID booth after you pick up your race packet. Don't go to baggage check next! You can only check in your stuff once- once the people behind the counter have it, that's it- the next time you want to look through it, it's yours for the rest of the day and you can't turn it back in. So, go to the ID booth, get your wristband, and THEN go to baggage check.
~Stop freaking out! Yes, it's a 5k run with obstacles. BUT, it's not mandatory for you to run! After the first part of the course, you'll want to walk and save your strength for the obstacles! Remember, JUST HAVE FUN! You may be at the last of the line, but don't worry- that'll change with each obstacle you go through!
~Be a buddy-help someone out! I ran the Warrior Dash alone, but halfway through I made two friends, Wendy and Amanda, who helped me over an obstacle- we stuck together and helped each other through the rest of the Dash. You'll always have a helping hand from someone if you get stuck- I had quite a few people help me out.
~The obstacles aren't mandatory- If the obstacles are out of your range of expertise, or you get cold feet about that really tall wall...you can skip it. I've heard in other Dashes, you didn't get a metal at the end if you didn't do an obstacle, but with the one I went to, it didn't count against me. Also, if you miss your run time, just run with another group!
~Wear something you could afford to throw away- Your clothes may never come clean again. You can also dress up for the costume contest and run in that- I saw an entire bridal party run- the chick was in a wedding dress and the groom had his tux on! I decided to wear my skin-tight compression leggings and a skin-tight Underarmour shirt--it helped me slide through the mud, and I didn't have to worry about getting caught on anything- I also wore my ponytail low for the same reason. Also, I washed my clothes and they are just fine. My shoes are another story. So, just in case, use something crappy. You're not there to look pretty- you're there to get caked in mud!
I am NOT athletic by any means- unless you mean playing videogames. I'm slightly overweight, I hate exercise, and I get out of breath easily. I'm also only 5 feet tall. If I can do it, so can you!
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