Warrior Dash Diaries

THE WARRIOR DASH DIARIES

Working My Way to Warrior Dash Chicago, June 19, 2010

March 12, 2010

It's almost Spring, and I ran outside, and that felt good... while I was doing it. A couple hours afterward, uh ohhhhhh. Knees, hammies, back. My shoes are fantastic, I think it's just the change of pace. That darn cement. I can't wait till things dry out and I can hit a trail on dirt. In the meantime, I made up my own intervals and I'm still only going to run about a half hour once or twice a week. Weather needs to provide, and I'm honoring my body and how I feel. The fresh air was so nice to be out in, I found myself smiling at several different times during my run. I must have looked odd. Plus I had my i-Pod and I forget I have some really good tunes on there. 99 days till we Dash!

February 16, 2010

Here we are at the start of another week, and I have hardly done a thing as far as extra training for Warrior Dash is concerned! I’ve had a horrible sinus infection for several days and very little sleep as a result. Grrr, I have not been sick in YEARS! I do feel better now—like, right now—and I would like to go for a little C25K run (my pet name for couch to 5K) to get this party started, for real. But… with the rest of the work week looming, and me just feeling clear in the head without pain in the face, I’ve decided instead to drink extra water, eat an extra yogurt, rest an extra day, and see if I don’t feel even better tomorrow. These last two days of sitting on my butt reading, writing and taking Continuing Ed tests seems to have done a fair amount of good.

We’ve got 6 of us Warriors doing the Dash now from Exercise In Disguise. One of us, Linda, will be celebrating her 50th birthday on the day of the race! How fun is that?! Once I’m on track with some regular progress, I’ll share more specific updates with the other gals on how much stronger and more powerful I’m getting and how much better I run. I'm here to help them get a little extra out of their time at the studio if they want to do more prep for the race. Until then, I’m only eeking out extra push ups and tougher upper body exercises on the straps a couple times a week. It’s okay. There are still 123 days till we Dash. Plenty of time to get a little edge.

February 9, 2010

The truth is, dear diary, that I was not ready for warrior training camp last week. I needed to postpone any serious effort at adding more to my current schedule. I'm coming back around this week, but maybe it won't really be that serious, relatively speaking, until we get a little closer to the race.

I can already tell: I probably won't be able to be as tightly scheduled with my workouts and I won't be able to do them to the extent that I originally planned. I also imagine I won't be running more than once a week for the next month or two, plus I see I am having a tricky time with all this counting and increasing of protein, calories and water to support my athletic endeavors. I need baby steps.

Now, this is not a confession or concession, it's just reality. I thought I felt a little sorry about it (Sorry about what? Jackrabbit start, quick halt in a week, and backspin to rethink). But as I type, I realize, no, not sorry. I'm just being true. And I'm right. I have enough self-awareness to know when I've overworked my arms, chest and back. To know when I need not to run on Sunday, and keep it as my day of rest. I realize, ummm yeah...this is ME I'm talking about here. I'm on the lifelong lesson plan for Quitting-Over-Scheduling-Myself and Biting-Off-More-Than-I-Can-Chew. 101.

Dreaming is wonderful. However doing requires me to be in my real life. And it's good for me to spend some time here. Since I'm one of those people who dwells in possibilities, I find balance when I put a little effort into staying grounded and connected to my present needs. In this case balance requires listening to my body and to my heart. Last week my body said, "Whaa? You crazy...." and my heart said, "Love on Warrior Dash from afar...just for now. Your relationship with 2009 Quickbooks needs some closure, and don't forget your upcoming date with Turbo Tax!"

In the meantime, I've got two joiners from the studio to do this race too, and maybe a couple more on the way this week. Hooray! 130 days till we Dash. Today it was supposed to be full upper body on the TRX straps, and some lower body power on the Pilates equipment. But instead it is turning out to be shovelling heavy snow at the studio and at home a couple of times, plus my usual teaching schedule and a couple extra upper body moves on the straps. I'll be refining my Extra strength and power workout to be a twice-a-week-doable-without-killing-me routine, and I'll post the results soon. Running effort will return on Friday. I think. Will check in with my body and heart to make sure.

January 28, 2010

I've realized that deciding to do this has been kind of an inner journey for me. Or an inner awakening, maybe.

Normally I'm much more of a feel good ~ have fun person (that's my actual business slogan), but I've realized there's a real Type A lurking inside me, and now that I've said I'm in, I want to kick butt. I'm thinking it's me fighting insecurities of some sort--which normally I don't bother with. I mean, who am I trying to impress, right? But then I think there's more to it that that, because I've never had the team sports or athletic competition experience, personally. I mean, I was a Girl Scout and a dancer and a creative writing star. Pom pon girl stint too. So there were tests and goals and auditions and there was training as a dancer.... but no tournaments or trophies or stats in the paper, etc.

I like to excel as a rule--in business, playing along with game shows, at picnics, volunteering at school... but never have I put myself in a race against others. So I'm like a total Warrior Dash training geek about it now.

Anyway, tomorrow is my first day running/walking. It's soooo bitter cold in Chicagoland. To hit the pavement was my plan. We shall see. 142 days till I Dash.

January 27, 2010

Well, the first day of Warrior Dash extras (see post from 1/20/2010 for details) went pretty well. I did a set of everything as planned. I have rediscovered how sore your triceps can get when you work them to failure. I might have overdone the upper body inadvertently, because of the army crawling and plank stuff in the TRX straps that was supposed to be less for the upper, more for the function and abs. I know, my abs already are quite strong. But there are different ways of using your core, and obstacles present different challenges than working out on a Pilates mat. The TRX straps take that to a new, more military level, and that is confirmed information based on how wobbly I was yesterday, and how ouchie I am today.

But not the lower body. Gosh, my butt, thighs and hips don't feel nearly the same as my arms, shoulders and chest.

I think one thing I might do is start to video tape myself doing a couple exercises, so I can check my form and also so I can compare how I look doing them now with, say, 6 weeks from now. A video journal might be a fun companion for my diaries. I've always thought I could help people with videos on You Tube so maybe this is the right project to start with. There must be others trying to train for mud runs that might enjoy watching me grunt out this program I'm attempting. Look for that soon. Maybe some one could give ME some training advice. That would be nice!

143 days till I Dash.

January 25, 2010
Oh how fun! I went to Dick Pond Athletics and got my gait analyzed and they recommended some shoes for me to start training in. These people are so great. Nice, informed, experts with an eye on helping you over an eye on getting you to buy the latest greatest shoe for the biggest price. If you're anywhere near a Dick Pond, and you want to run, no matter what your level, they can surely help. http://www.dickpondathletics.com/istar.asp?tfile=homepage.template

So, I've never bought a real pair of running shoes for myself. My youngest daughter did run cross country in high school a few years ago, so I do know that the shoe really does matter. And I knew to trust this store with my feet because of her experiences shopping there in earlier years. You feel so cool going in there and talkin' the talk, ya' know? There are newspaper clippings and announcements of race winners all over the walls. I love saying I'm in training.

So, then I said, "I do have specific needs." and he (Cory) said, "like what?" I said, "First, I pronate. Second I'm not a runner. Third, I have some on and off Achilles issues and need my heel supported. Also, I'm going to be running on pavement now, and switching to train running in the spring, to train for a mud run in June." He was so patient with me. Like oooh, I'm a real tough running case to fit a shoe on, right?

Then, when I told him it was Warrior Dash, he said one of the store employees ran it last year and said he had the time of his life. Great race, much fun, and he took home a HUGE metal Viking helmet with giant horns for finishing in the top three of his age class.

YAY! I like the age class thing very much. I'm in the 45 - 49 year olds. I feel I can surely compete. Except that I'm not a runner. Yet.

Now I've got me some great shoes--the Brooks felt exactly right, and I was thrilled he brought them out and I didn't even have to research or know about them. Even with all those "specific needs" I went on about, I was done selecting the perfect footwear in a matter of minutes, thanks to Cory's expertise. I moved quickly on to cute running attire on the clearance rack. All of it for warmer weather than our Chicago winters will allow, but that's okay. I'm kinda into the last season's deals as a rule. Now I'll have something to look forward to when the weather breaks in April and I'm ready to show my running stuff to the world. I should be up to running 30 minutes in a row by then.

I bought a pair of running socks to see if they are worth the money. Plus I found this new fitness bra called The Handful. I got the pink one to wear in Zumba and Pilates. I think I'll need something a bit more substantial for running: http://www.ladiesonlysports.com/haspbradetof.html

So. Shopping while in training = quite enjoyable. I'm set for now (I have winter running clothes from a brief experiment I held a few years ago.) 145 days till I Dash.

January 20, 2010

I've registered. I checked out the Warrior Dash page on Facebook, and there is a Midwest Discussion plus info. on shoes, attire, the obstacles, etc. I'll be researching all that as training goes on.

I plan to start running and adding TRX work, plus a special set of exercises on the Pilates equipment, beginning next week. I can't fit too much more training time in with my current schedule so that is one concern. But I've developed a doable schedule I'm going to try to keep for now. It includes a weekly build-up to where I want to get by Spring Break. After that, I'll be tweaking it. I might be adding the Muddy Buddy team race to my training needs, so at some point I'll have to add bike riding in if I do. One goal for me is to find a way to have a whole day off. We'll work on that.

Here's my training schedule & exercise grid. (I'm working up to all this in baby steps, by the way.) It adds in extra upper body work suitable for building strength to climb and hang; push/pull/reach, etc. ...and lower body power/explosive strength/plyometrics--for the run, climb and leap muscles.

WARRIOR DASH EXTRAS:

TRX Chest presses w/ Superman	2 x 60 seconds
TRX low rows	2 x 60 seconds
TRX chest flys w/ lunges fwd	2 x 60 seconds
Chin Ups	Max (work to 1!)
TRX Tucks in push up plank	2 x 45 seconds
TRX Mountain Climbers on elbow plank	2 x 45 seconds
TRX Army crawl out & Slide	2 x Max reps
TRX Triceps extensions-single leg	45 seconds each leg
TRX Biceps curls	2 x 45 seconds
TRX Triceps extensions-single arm	Max reps each arm
Pilates Chair: Big Step Ups & Side Steps	45 seconds ea way
Pilates Table: Monkey/Pull Ups	2 x Max reps
Reformer: Jump Board Plyometrics	4 positions x 45 sec
Pilates Table: Lat/Chest Pull Downs	2 x 60 seconds
Reformer: Spider Legs	Whatever feels ok
Reformer: Speed Skater	45 seconds ea leg

Training Weeks beginning January 25 (Red is New/Additional Training):

Mon = Zumba A.M.; Yogilates P.M.

Tues = Warrior Dash Extras A.M.; Pilates P.M & Zumba P.M.

Wed = Pilates Mat A.M.; Interval/Fusion P.M.

Thur = Warrior Dash Extra A.M ; Zumba & Pilates P.M.

Frid = Run/Walk building to run 30 minutes…then build to 2 miles for time

Satu = Zumba & rest of day off

Sun = Run/Walk building to run 30 minutes…then build to 45 minutes to last

January 19, 2010

I've decided. First, I became all inspired after learning my friend had competed in a triathalon last year. She trained from scratch and she did it. Within a few days I had researched and considered, and realized that I have a deep desire to compete in a physical event of some sort. But I never have. It kind of took me aback..."My gosh, I've never really competed in a physical event!" I thought, and then "I so totally want to." and then "but I can't spend a lot of money and I'm not running a marathon and I already work out a lot so it has to be something manageable as far as time comittment goes and I don't have access to a pool."

Those weren't excuses, just factors. A bit of asking around on the forums at LIVESTRONG.com and boom, I found the seedling idea. A mud run. I asked around the studio and boom, I found out (get this!) that there's a HUGE event including a mud run that happens each year in various states and the one for the midwest happens in none other than little ole' Gilberts, IL. Right here. That one is called Muddy Buddy, and it includes a biking aspect, too. I'm hoping to do it, on August 1st, but I'm working on the biking aspect. It's done in teams.

In the meantime, I felt today that I need to register for something because I've got the bee in my bonnet for sure...enter Warrior Dash. A little over three miles, a run and obstacle course, kinda rough around the edges, and it ends in beer and food and music. Sounds perfect. Joliet, IL. Check it out on the links above.

Day One of the Diaries is today. The Day I Decided to Dash. Now I'm going to the site to sign up before dashing off to the studio tonight. I'll keep you posted.

EXERCISE IN DISGUISE

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