Warrior Dash

This medal, although it has nothing to do with ranking or winning, means a lot to me.  See, this medal represents the moment I got off my butt and did something.  This medal represents a change in my life that I plan on holding on to until the day I die.  This medal represents the day I decided to not let my weight control me.  This medal is something that I’ve worked extremely hard for, and it’s a reward for my hard work. 

How was the Warrior Dash?  One word.  Awesome.  It started out with about a mile run (or so).  It was pretty hilly, but I was hanging in there, I felt good about my pace, and I was actually passing people. (WHAT!?)  We came up to the first obstacle.  It was a plank of sorts, basically, a balancing act on a piece of wood, laid on top of a lake.  I breezed over that, and immediately jumped to obstacle 2.  Wading through water.  That slowed me down immediately, and assured that I would have mud and rocks in my shoes for the remainder of the race. 

Obstacle 3, I got out of the lake, ran around a turn, and did the tires.  I rocked the tires. I actually passed several people, and moved forward to the wall climp/jump.  The walls were probably 4 feet high.  Which fortunately, are pretty easy for me to jump. (using the hand plant)  I think there were 3 walls. 

I started to feel pretty fatigued here.  I knew I had to keep pushing, because in my head I’m counting the obstacles, and realized that I still had a long way to go. 

The next obstacle was the junkyard dash.  basically a bunch of old beat up cars blocking your path.  That was fine, I made it over the first car, and realized that I may be able to actually jump the second car.  So…. in true warrior spirit, I tried. (clearly thinking I was still 18.)  The whole time I was in the air, I was thinking, “I’ve got this! I’ve got this!” Then my butt hit the car.  It was the very corner of the car, and my feet cleared it, but my butt hit the car, and it hurt!  I got up, finished this obstacle by climbing over an old beat up truck, and continuing on my way. 

Running.  Running.  Running.  Getting passed, and passing people.  Running.  Uphill.  Come around a curve, and I see a crew of folk standing there handing out water.  Praise God!!! I knew 2 things.  I NEEDED that water and that water meant I was halfway! 

I honestly, at this point, forget the order of the race, or how I did it, so I’ll tell you the obstacles until the last few.  Cargo climb.  I climbed up a cargo net, and then back down the otherside.  I’d say the net was 15 feet high, or so.  It was really easy for me.  There was a wall climb kinda, which was pretty much rope hanging down a sloped piece of wood.  It was a little slick from all of the other warriors climbing up it, but I breezed up that as well. The run through the forest was pretty intense. it was pretty much all uphill.  I ran, until I couldn’t run anymore and slowed to a walk, which worked out well, because this part of the coarse was pretty much single file, due to the narrowness of the trail, and everyone else was walking.  I broke through eventually and got to the top.  Crawled through some muddy tunnel, and then ran down a muddy hill.  Dangerous?  yes.  I slipped but did not fall. 

The end of the race was getting near, I could feel it.  I ran around a corner and noticed the mud pit. I knew I was close. I dove in to the mud, and started crawling.  I realized quickly that the bottom of this mud pit was uneven, and covered in gravel.  I could feel rocks cutting in to my legs.  I wanted it to stop, and knew the only way to make it stop.  Get through this! 

After the crawl, it was pretty much a stomp through deep, slippery, thick mud.  I fell 3 times, but was able to get up and keep pushing.  I ran up to a lake, and saw logs floating.  While I didn’t remember reading about this, I knew I could do this.  There were 3 or 4 logs, and I had to get to them, and get over them. (The water, for me was about chest deep)  I made it over those, kinda lazilly pushing myself through the water.  I make it out of the water, and I hear cheering.  I see fire, I know, that this is it!  I’m about to complete a race! 

Two lines of fire were between me and the finish.  I kick it in to high gear, and I jump the first flame!  A couple of steps and I clear the second flame!  I hear my name being shouted, I think my wife and sister, and I burst into a run.  I see the words “Finish”. 

I could have cried right there.  I didn’t, because I’m a man, but I could have.  All of the hardwork and determination paid off. All of the discouraging days, and the back injury.  All of the doubt, and fear.  overcome. 

I don’t know what to say about it, other than I did it.  I can’t believe it, but I did it.  Now.  Where’s the next race?

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