Jeep Momma - Blog

Warrior Dash -- An Amazing Experience!

Post Date January, 16 2018

Post by Jeep Momma
0 Comments

The countdown to the Warrior Dash is over.

Now I contemplate the amazing day I had and reflect on what it meant to me.

I woke up Saturday morning a bundle of nerves afraid of racing by myself -- worried that me -- a 40 eh-hem something year old woman -- wouldn't be able to handle some of the obstacles. But I just kept telling myself I couldn't quit no matter what. For me to run and finish this race by myself was something I needed to do for me.

Most all the participants in the race were part of a team or at least had a partner. But for me it was "Team Me, Myself and I". I knew if I could run and finish the race by myself I could do just about anything I set out to do. It was something I needed to remind myself of -- to bring back the inner independence I had lost somewhere along the way.

I was excited to share my experience with all my friends so I was periodically updating my social media accounts. Knowing I had support in the virtual world was a huge motivator, as well.

The race course tested my endurance and perseverance. The first mile was a run into the woods on a trail of extremely steep hills. It seemed like they would never end. I wasn't about to give up and start walking like the other racers. Even though my run turned to a slow jog I kept pushing through. Ever so slowly the trail turned into the muddiest, muckiest trail I have ever been on. Trudging through the one foot thick muddy, mucky trail for the next mile was another test of my strength. There were lots of complaints on the trail but for me it was actually a quite fun -- it was an adventure. As I ran through the mud I kept thinking about all the soliders who have gone to hell and back. I figured if they can do what they did I can make this little itty bitty mud mile -- piece of cake.

The true test was the last mile. A mile of many obstacles most dealing with heights. One of my fears and an item on my Bucket List - to take that fear head on. I will always be afraid of heights but now I know I can overcome the fear mentally. There were several climbing walls to climb up and over. But the one obstacle that was the worse was the four inch beam across a ravine about 25 feet in the air. NO net and only two ropes to hold onto as I crossed. I just took a deep breath and forged on through. I didn't stop to think I just did.

As I crawled through the last obstacle of mud I was excited that I was near the end but sad that the race was almost over. You could say my limits were tested and this race showed me I can endure so much more. I had such a amazing time I've signed myself up for another race - Down & Dirty. Some day my hope is to run the Tough Mudder a 10K obstacle course. That one will definately test the limits of my mind and body.