Warrior Dash 2013: My Experience

Pre Warrior Dash Hawaii 2013

Warrior Dash came to Hawaii again in 2013!  We signed up really early this year, which was good because the registration filled up so fast!  They even opened up a second day, but I don't think all of those slots got filled.  We ran on the first day, second wave at 9:30, same time as last year. 
The parking situation this year was a lot better this year.  It was much more organized this year, and the drive to the parking lot was closer.  We were supposed to start the race at 9:30, but we didn't actually start until 9:45.  There were 2 separate lines for each wave that were released every 15 minutes.  We got really confused at the start because we thought they would let everyone go at once, but we had to wait about half an hour before we got to start.  They said last year the course was too crowded releasing everyone at once, which is why they changed it this year.  The obstacles were less crowded and everyone was a little more spread out so that was good.  I felt the actual obstacles were harder than last years course.  There were a lot more vertical obstacles where you had to lift yourself up.  I finished in about 50 minutes this year, beating my time from last year (mostly because I tried to run the whole thing rather than walk).

Finished!

Much to my disappointment,  the rinse-off area wasn't at the lake this year.  It was on the grounds in the mud, and it was just a bunch of hoses hooked up.  Last year was much more efficient, but with just a few hoses for everyone the line was so long and it took forever!  There was also no changing tent, and no turkey legs at the food both this year either!  And no $5 off merchandise coupon on your bib either.  I didn't buy anything this year since it was all pretty much the same.  I was actually pretty disappointed after the race and I felt there was a lot lacking in terms of organization.  The shirts we got this year were pretty nice, but I'm not sure about the quality.  Btw they gave the shirts at the finish line, not at check-in this year.  I read on their facebook page that it doesn't hold up well after being washed. 
Warrior Dash this year was a lot of fun, but I wish they had the same things as last year.  I felt like they were missing a lot (seriously, how can you have no turkey legs?).  We even got some fruit and granola last year, but nothing this year.  I think I would definitely do it again next year though.  I am thinking about doing the Spartan Race which will be at Kualoa Ranch in August.  They are only allowing pre-registration now, and I'm not sure how much it will be, but it sounds fun.  Who's going??

My Warrior Dash Experience

Warrior Dash Finishers!

Yesterday I participated in Warrior Dash, my first ever 5K!  I know in my last Warrior Dash post, I said I was training by running every day.  However, since that post I eventually stopped training due to laziness, and some bad weather.  I kind of regret not training as my body is incredibly sore today and it's been hard for me to even get out of bed =/ but there's always next year (hopefully!)
We arrived about an hour before our start time.  We signed up for the 9:30 wave and the weather was perfect.  We picked up our packets at registration which contained our timing chip (which was to be attached to your shoe), warrior hat, shirt, and our participant number.  We headed to the start line as soon as the 9:00 wave left, and 30 minutes later we set out on the 5k course.  I got off to a good running start and ran a good mile without stopping to walk, but after that I was so tired I walked the rest of the way.  The obstacles in order were:
Teetering Traverse
Giant Cliffhanger
Great Warrior Wall
Horizontal Hike
Chaotic Crossover
Storming Normandy
Barricade Breakdown
Deadmans Drop
Assassins Escape
Deadweight Drifter
Warrior Roast
Cargo Climb
Muddy Mayhem

The infamous mud pit

I was able to complete every obstacle except the Great Wall, which I wasn't even able to get myself halfway up without letting go.  I felt that one was the most challenging, probably because I lack upper body strength.  I was a bit worried about jumping over fire, but since we had just come out of the lake, it wasn't too bad.  The muddy pit at the end was the cherry on top, and such a fun way to end the race.  At the finish line you receive your medal and we also got a small packet of granola and a banana.  Honestly I don't think giving out snacks at the finish line was such a good idea.  As we headed to the rinse-off area (which was in the lake), we saw a bunch of uneaten bananas and granola packets all over the ground.  I didn't eat mine either and ended up throwing it away.  Even though we rinsed in the lake, needless to say when I changed afterward, I had mud in some unwanted places =/
One thing I was surprised with was how organized this event was.  There was food, merchandise, live entertainment, a bag check, changing area, first aide (both on site and along the course), etc. You also got a free beer if you handed in your timing chip from your shoe.  The live music was pretty good, and I highly recommend getting the turkey legs!  They were surprisingly really good.  The merchandise they were selling was also reasonably priced so I got a tank top ($10) and a towel ($15).  On your participant number, they had a coupon for $5 off $25 or more, so I got both for $20!
Even though I finished with a time of 1:08, I'm still proud of myself for finishing strong, and it was such a fun experience.  I will definitely do this next year if they come back to Hawaii!

Warrior Dash!

Are you a Warrior?

I first heard about this a little over a month ago from my sister.  I thought it sounded pretty crazy at first, but after looking at their website I decided to sign up.  What is it?  "The Craziest Frickin' Day of Your Life", or a 5k (3.01 mile) race with 12 crazy obstacles.  It sounded fun and I really wanted to challenge myself both physically and mentally. 

The Hawaii race is on March 24, 2011 and this is the first year it's being hosted here.  At the time I registered it cost $45, but you do get a Warrior Dash t-shirt, helmet, free beer and a medal for finishing.  There is also an after-race party with live music and food.  Since it's a race there are prizes for the top three finishers, but I'm just hoping to finish the race this year. Registration is done through the Warrior Dash website and they do charge a $3 "processing fee" when you pay online, but there are promo codes online so keep an eye out for those (you can save $5 or so).  You also chose your wave time when you register, and I'm starting at 930.  On the race page they also have a map of the course with all the obstacles so you know what you're getting yourself into.

I've recently been going on runs around my neighborhood in order to start getting in shape for the race.  I've been running (and walking) about a mile each run about 3 times a week. 

Is anyone else participating in this?  Sounds like a lot of fun!  It's also motivation for me to start exercising and getting into shape.