Warrior Dash: My Couch to 5k Success Story
A little over two months ago, some friends approached me with an idea: get a group of guys together to run the Warrior Dash. At the time all I knew about this “Dash” was that it was a 5k with obstacles including, but not limited to: water, mud, jumping over cars, haybales, 14’ rope ladders, hurdles, barbed wire, and jumping over fire. After reading the Warrior Dash website I thought it sounded like a fun idea.
There was one problem though: I wasn’t a runner. I had tried running in the past to extremely limited success. Shin splints, doing too much too soon, and not really being motivated to push through were limitations I faced in the past.
Merrell Trail Gloves
A number of friends had told me about running ‘barefoot’ style using minimalist shoes like Vibram’s Five Fingers (VFFs). Given that the VFFs aren’t the most practical looking shoes, I decided to seek out an alternative while still maintaining the essence of bareform running. One Saturday morning when Amelia and I were strolling through downtown Lawrence we stopped in at Sunflower Outdoor and Bike shop and I saw the Merrell Trail Glove shoe. After conversing with the staff, I found out this was Merrell’s entry to the barefoot running craze. At that moment I knew this would be the shoe for me. Though it turned out that Sunflower didn’t have my size, Brown’s ShoeFit did so I made my purchase and promised myself they wouldn’t gather dust.
Though you can find out all about the benefits of barefoot (or bareform, which I prefer) running through a few quick searches, here’s the basics that attracted me to it.
- Bareform running forces you to strike midfoot, ensuring that you land with your knee partially bent rather than striking heel-first with your knee completely straight. This slight change completely redefines how the body absorbs the shock of impact when running on any surface. This was really important to me because as a veteran of 7 years of marching band, my body was trained to heel-strike and I suffer shin splints as a result. Heel-striking while running was one of my biggest downfalls that always ensured that it would be weeks between each run because of the pain.
- Bareform running helps you be more aware of the terrain on which you are running. Due to the fact that the Trail Glove shoes are so thin-soled, it is very easy to feel the changes in the terrain and it has made me more mindful of how I’m running and how my stride affects how I feel and how much impact I’m making.
Couch to 5k
Once I had the shoes figured out, I needed a plan that would work to get me trained for the running portion of the Warrior Dash. Luckily, I had heard many success stories about the Couch to 5k program. After downloading the plan and looking over it, I felt like it was the right one for me. The very next day was a Monday, and what better day to start than a Monday, right?
I followed the plan pretty much to a ‘t’ though there were some days when I slacked off because it was too hot or I didn’t wake up in time to run before work. I made excuses on these days and definitely paid for them when it came time for my next run. As my Dad, track coach of 30+ years says, “Skip one day, no one notices; Skip two days, you notice; Skip three days, everyone notices.” Overall, the training went very well and I was continually impressed with myself for keeping up with the demands of the training. Before I started Couch to 5k, the thought of running more than one mile without walking was daunting and seemingly out of reach.
The Warrior Dash
Fast forward to Sunday, July 31st, the day of the Warrior Dash. My training was complete and I was mentally psyched to finish the race, have fun, and not get hurt. Although two of the original 4 guys who registered were not able to participate, my friend Brian and I banded together and completed the Warrior Dash in just over an hour. I’m not particularly proud of the time that it took but there are few things to consider: Temps were in the triple-digits, the course was extremely hilly and very very muddy (we ended up having to walk a good 1/4 of the course due to mud) and we had 10 obstacles of varying difficulty to deal with. In the end though, Brian and I met our three goals:
1. We finished
2. We didn’t get hurt
3. We had fun
The Warrior Dash was physically one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but I’m so glad I did it. To complete a ‘bib race’ as Brian called it made me really feel like I’m a “runner.” If you had told me 6 months ago that I would complete a 3.10 mile course with hellish obstacles, I would have laughed at you and told you that I don’t run. Today I’m given the opportunity to look at my race bib and the “Warrior Dash 2011: I Survived” medal that are hanging on the wall behind my iMac. It’s an extremely proud moment in my life and I look forward to future 5ks, 10ks, and possibly a half or full marathon. Six months ago, thinking of running 2 miles was a laughing matter. Today, 13.1 miles sounds difficult, yet feasible.
Thank you to my wife who believed in me from day one and didn’t question my ability to train for or run the Warrior Dash. Thanks to all those who encouraged me along the way, even if you don’t know it. Thanks to Brian for keeping me going during the race. And thanks to Merrell for creating a shoe that lets me run in a way that I no longer have to worry about shin splints and debilitating pain that would normally keep me from running for weeks.
All these things plus a little determination and will power have taken me from my couch to the finish line of the Warrior Dash and beyond.
yay for you kyle!! I’m sure you will be running a half very soon:)
I hope so, Elissa. The guy I ran the Warrior Dash with invited me to run a half marathon with him in October. We’ll see.
Good for you! I have been hearing a lot about barefoot running. Will have to check it out.
You really ought to check it out. It “cured” my shin splints and made my feet a lot stronger.
Thats killer!! thanks for posting your killer story:)
Hopefully I’ll have many more to come.
Great Story! Congrats on a successful race and a fun one! I did the C25K last year, and ran a half later that year. You can do whatever you set your mind to. It is addicting…
Thanks! I look forward to seeing where the lessons learned from C25K and Warrior Dash take me.
AWESAOME JOB! We just led our first 5K training and had a great success. Keep on training and sign up for your next 10K. We also have a great Yoga for Marathon Runners webisode coming up that you can check out.
Again, congrats on having fun and running hard!
Thanks! I am hoping to continue running races to keep me motivated to train between races. It’s been a lot of fun.
I really dug the story. I can see the Warrior Dash getting a lot of people of the couch.
Yeah, the Warrior Dash was a lot of fun and I’m definitely going to do it again.
The Warrior Dash really does seem like a lot of fun. It looks like a combination of some of the best elements from my boyscout and orienteering days, with just a little Japanese game show-style craziness added for even more fun!
Congrats on your success with the Warrior Dash. I hope you do it again next year as I will be going if everything work out. I am doing a similar thing with Crossfit. I want to qualify for the Crossfit Games realistically in 2013. I hope the journey will be as much fun as the Warrior Dash
Thanks! I’ve heard a lot about CrossFit and have considered looking for a CrossFit place in the Kansas City area. We’ll see though. Good luck with the CrossFit Games qualification!
Awesome job on getting out there and accomplishing your goal! Your dad’s advice is so true. Great job!
Thanks! Lots of hard work but I’m really glad I did it.
I genuinely enoyed reading this! I know two young men, probably not unlike you and your friend, who did the Warrior Dash together too (I wanna say last year, but could be the year before that?) But reading this was fun – because I can assume that they weren’t ready for the dash either, & likely were couch potatoes pre-dash. Glad this was your success story, not an attempt, try, fail, and not-post-on-blog tale. Good job! (:
Glad you enjoyed it! And I’m also very glad it was a success story and not an “I tried but I failed” story.
Way to go!! This was a great story and very inspiring. I’m a new runner myself {less than a year now} and I’m currently sidelined with a tibia stress fracture that I’ve had since May. {I’m on Week 11 of no running and I’m going mad!} I, too, was doing too much too fast and the shin splint turned into more. I’m a heel-striker and need to consciously work to not do it as soon as I can ease myself back into running. I’ve just found my first 5K to register for {it’s in October} and hopefully I’ll be good to run it by then! Again, congratulations! :-0
Thanks for the comment. I hope you get better soon. Stress fractures are serious business and no fun to deal with. Good luck getting back out on the road and with your future 5k.
Hooray for you! Awesome recount of your race, and I love your shoe suggestion. I like the idea of barefoot running, but the Vibrams don’t do it for me. The more I run, though, the clunkier my old Nike’s feel. I’m gonna have to try those Merrell’s. Great post!
I’ve run in Asics, New Balance, and Saucony shoes and though they didn’t feel clunky they didn’t feel ‘right.’ As soon as I started running in the Trail Gloves I knew they were the right ones for me.
Congrats! I did the Warrior Dash last year, it was awesome!
Good luck with your future races, you can definitely go on to do a half, or full marathon if you want. I went from couch to full marathon, so it’s definitely possible.
Thanks! Glad to hear a success story of going from couch to 26.2. Good for you for doing all that training.
Congrats to you…
And I just gotta say, those barefoot-style shoes really creep me out!
Seeing the FiveFingers out of context (as in, while someone is not running or hiking) kind of creeps me out too, which is why I went with the Merrell’s and not the VFFs.
wooowwww…looks fun..:-D
Congrats this is super inspiring! Maybe I’ll get off the couch later…orrr maybe not.
Do it!
Congrats!!
So awesome! I struggle with shin splints too and just got a pair of Merrell Lithe Gloves. My blog will be following my transition. I hope I have as much success as you! The barefoot running thing just seems ‘right’.
I wish you all the best in getting relief from the shin splints. I have a feeling it’s a combination of the bareform style running as well as stride length that really helped me out.
Really inspiring. I can’t do the barefoot thing, my feet don’t like hot pavement or rocks or twigs…
Yeah, luckily the Merrell Trail Gloves have a bit of protection so twigs, rocks, and whatnot don’t really hurt but you definitely do feel them.
Congrats on the run! I’m working on C25K right now, and I’m about to do week 2, day 3. I took a few days off because I was sick, but it feels good to get back into it! By the way, I tried running barefoot the last time I went…it kinda hurt, but it definitely does make you more aware of your terrain. Here’s to more great runs!
Keep going with the training with all your best. And about barefoot running, I should probably clarify that I do wear shoes. I’ve never actually run without shoes on. Though that does sound like fun.
Oh MAN! Good job!
I ran that in California two years ago, and man it was awesome. You guys should’ve dressed up hahaha
Edwin
Perhaps next year I’ll dress up. I just wanted to make sure I finished the race this year.
Congratulations on accomplishing your (3) goals! A few friends of mine competed as well.
my brother is trying to talk me into doing the music city marathon – i really want to do it!
thanks for sharing!
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
I say go for it!
Oh man I love how ugly those copyright notices make the pictures look, That’s hilarious.
Congrats on finally finishing the Warrior Dash…
Thank you for sharing your story! This is very inspiring & I’m going to keep your dad’s words in mind with my exercise routine :0) Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Well done,running is hard and obstacles make it worse!I like your inspirational post!
Amazing that you could go from not running at all to 5K plus in such a short amount of time. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed to boot!
Congratulations on training and doing and finishing the Warrior Dash! Sounds like fun! I wonder if Merrell has shoes that help Plantar Fasciitis? That kills me along with too much weight. Congrats on being FP!
I don’t know much about Plantar Fascitis but I would like to direct you to another one of the commenters for this post who is down almost 70 pounds with running. His success inspires me and I hope it inspires you too!
I have FiveFingers and I LOVE them. However, they’re not for everyone; some people have feet that are too wide, for example.
But I love that you found the shoe for you, did the run, did the dash- someday I hope to do a warrior dash of my own, for now I’m doing mostly 5Ks and the occasional 10K, and maybe a half next spring.
This is great. You just made me smile. I am on Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program and I signed up for a 5k. I was a bit concerned about committing but you just made me feel better about it all. Thanks.
http://www.funfitchic.net
Keep it up. It is really rewarding. When you run your 5k you’ll see how the hard work really pays off. Good luck to you!
This is fantastic! I was also “not a runner,” and just finished the Bix7 here in the Quad Cities. 3 months ago a mile sounded impossible, much less 7! But i did it, and am training for the Rock N Roll half marathon in Las Vegas in December. Like a lot of these other folks have said: You can do it!!
Congratulations! I’ve been looking to do the Warrior Dash myself and I think your blog just inspired me to start training!
Hoped you had some interesting time?
I am a long time runner, but have never done a Warrior Dash. Looks like so much fun. Welcome to the pack.
Congratulations from another ‘barefoot’ runner! The Warrior Dash sounds like incredible fun.
Congrats on your accomplishment! I did the Warrior Dash on 7/30 and loved it. I will definitely be back for more next year!
Ahh good job! I also am a “non-runner” and participated in the Warrior Dash on July 30th! The “I survived” metal was most definitely deserved. It was quite muddy when I ran the course as well, however, I learned that running was actually easier than walking in the mud! Will you do the Warrior Dash again?
Congrats!! I’m looking forward to the Warrior Dash next year and a possible Tough Mudder
Great story and WELL DONE YOU!
I’m in the same boat at the moment, couch potato – half marathon (september) one of my running posts was published on Freshly Pressed a few weeks a go! Good luck with the comments hehe!
Good luck with future runs & check out my blog if you feel like seeing how my runnings going
pretty bad ass – that photo of you jumping over fire! Congrats on the race success. Keep running!!!
love the stuff you blog
congrats on completing the warrior dash! i gotta look into the couch to 5k. been trying to get into running for years!
Great job Kyle! Good job on the race, it was a fun time! Glad we accomplished our goals.
Couldn’t have done it without you, Brian!
Congrats on your accomplishment. I was not familiar with bareform running, but can see the benefits.
Congratulations on being FPed and on completing the race! I also ran a Warrior Dash race for the first time this year and had a blast despite the fact that I did a very, very poor job sticking to my training plan. My friends and I had so much fun, we’re going to do another Warrior Dash and a Spartan Race this fall. Good luck with your continued training and other races!
Congrats! I found your post on the front page of wordpress when I logged in. I just started running using the Couch to 5k program and keep trying to change my stride thanks to 4 years of marching band heel-striking! The good news is that I can run backwards without falling
Like you, I wasn’t a runner and thought the whole thing laughable. Now that I’m close to being able to run a whole 5k at once, I’m already looking to 10ks and half marathons to run. My husband’s been a huge help for me, too.
Good luck, and keep running!
Hurray for you! I love reading about successes like yours. I used to hate running too, and finished my first half marathon in April. It’s amazing what commitment and a few attitude changes can do! Congratulations on your success and keep it up!!
great post. like others, I saw it pop up when I logged in today. I also did Warrior Dash this past weekend and also never considered myself a runner before. I trained for several weeks myself and actually did better than friends that regularly run 5k’s. Amazing what small improvements can amount to, right? From one warrior to another, congrats, it truly is a well-deserved honor!
Congrats to you for running the Warrior Dash. I’m excited to hear others’ success stories.
The shoes sound interesting, I’ve seen people wearing them and wondered how they feel. It’s awesome that you were able to motivate yourself and reach your goal. Maybe I’ll take my gym membership off hold….
One of the other motivating factors to train was that I signed up for the Warrior Dash which cost $50. Doing this before I started running gave me the goal to work toward. It’s one of those common sense things we hear all the time about setting an achievable goal for ourselves but I can give testimony that having a goal, specifically a tangible one, does really help with the motivation.
Just read your story and I would like to say congrats, what an accomplishment worthy to be proud of. I am currently us P90X a 90 day home based workout program to help me prepare for a similar event in Los Angeles. I have not done anything like this either and am excited to try something. Thanks for sharing your story and again awesome job.
Love when I hear about ppl doing P90X. Is this your first round?
I have been hearing about that and really want to try it. Great post.
I haven’t read all of the comments, so this may be addressed somewhere, but could you provide more details of your training? You have me curious….
The only training I did was the Couch to 5k program available from a website called Cool Runnings. It’s an interval-based program that has you split up running with walking and eventually gets you from running 1 minute at a time to 30 minutes at a time. Their goal is to have you running 3 miles in about 30 minutes over the course of 9 weeks. And their program is split up as 3 workouts per week. I’ve used other running programs in the past but none of them were as well planned as couch to 5k, in my opinion.
Thanks for the info – I’ll have a look!
Saw your post on the freshly pressed front page of WP. Caught my eye because a friend of mine just did a Warrior Dash last weekend too. Is there more than one? I’m going to have to check this out! It looks like fun
Interesting to hear your thoughts on bareform running. I just started running last year, and I’ve been fascinated by the 5finger shoes, but I’m too chicken to try them! My running partner is completely against bareform running and has all but talked me out of trying it. Thanks for renewing my interest!
The Warrior Dash is all over the US. There are still Warrior Dash events happening this year but I think they primarily have them in the Summer and early fall. Their website has all the events listed out.
As far as more of my thoughts on bare form running, I’ll just have to encourage you to come back to this blog. I’m working on a post about it now due to all the interest garnered by this post.
Well done! That’s such a fantastic achievement. I’d never been a runner either, but having done the couch to 5k program last year (and blogging every time I did it) I’ve never looked back since!
Congratulations! Nice story by the way …
yes, this is quite exciting! nice job.
Excellent!
You really ought to read Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall. It is my favorite current book, and it is an excellent supplement to what you’ve written about, especially if you get burnt out.
How was the Dash overall? I’ve been wanting to do one (and wanting some of those Merrells!). And a 5k is a world of difference from a half, but completing your first one will be a great experience.
Good luck, great post, and keep it up!
Thanks for the book recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out.
The Dash overall was a lot of fun. There’s no way around the fact that it was really hard but it was really a good time. I would suggest finding someone to run the Dash with because it is really nice to have someone you know to help motivate you to keep going.
Congrats to you…Great post.
What a great post. Tell me, how do you find your knees are with the Merrells? I had trouble with my old (non runner) shoes until I got some Asics. I was thinking the cushioning support was important. Obviously not with Merrells.
The fact that I am still 322lbs (from 391lbs three months a go) doesn’t help haha. Maybe once I lose more weight cushioning won’t be an issue!
This type of running fascinates me.
First off, congrats on losing almost 70lbs! That is an awesome accomplishment in and of itself. The Merrell’s have been great on my knees. As I mentioned in the post, and if you do some reading up on bare form running, the knee is bent on impact because you’ll ideally be landing on your mid-foot rather than your heel. As far as shock absorption is concerned, having a bent knee really helps out. Of course, just because this is working for me this way doesn’t mean that it’ll work for everyone. However, I would suggest giving them a try or at least trying to start changing how your foot strikes the ground and see if it helps. Keep in mind as well that I’m no running expert, I just started a couple months ago.
Good job on finishing the dash, and nice post – informative & inspirational.
Hey, Congrats on making Freshly Pressed and, more importantly, finishing the Warrior Dash. You should be proud of yourself. I just started the C25K this past Tuesday. I’m inspired to keep going.
That’s awesome! I love love love the pic of you jumping the fire.
I did C25K two years ago and haven’t looked back. I ran my first half marathon this April. In September, I run my first Warrior Dash. I’m stoked, and this blog made me even more so.
Good luck to you! Given that you’ve run the half marathon I have no doubt you’ll do fine with the running portion of the Warrior Dash. I would advise working on upper body strength if you don’t already as there are a lot of obstacles that require climbing. I wish I had done more prep in that area than I did.
I’m a beginner runner (and blogger) and I did the Warrior dash in June! I thought you might like to know that there is a similar kind of race where they have zombies too.
It’s called Run for your lives and it’s in Baltimore in October but I saw that they’re adding more locations next year. So it’s like Warrior dash with zombies chasing you. Nothing like the added challenge of the undead! LOL
Congratulations on your accomplishment! And your time was great! It took me an hour and 20 minutes! I was beat!
The barefoot shoes are much better compared to the usual running shoes. I know the difference by experience and it sucks. (:
Congrats! I was at the one on Sunday in Tiffany Springs, and I believe the last wave they let go before they shut it down for the heat.
I’m a bit jealous that you got to actually jump the fire. By the time I got there it was just a pile of smoking wood.
Good for you! I wanted to do the Warrior dash this year but was away from home when it occurred in my area… Im planning for next year already.
Will you do it again?
I will definitely do the Warrior Dash again. I’m hoping to get my Dad and my Brother to do it as well.
Thanks for posting this. I’m also a minimalist runner. I use VFF and love them but have been looking for more minimalist shoes. I’ve never heard of Merrell but they have a boot-like shoe that would be perfect for hiking! The only thing I’m not thrilled with is that it looks like it has arch support.
Congrats on finishing the Warrior Dash, by the way! I’d love to try that next year.
http://wolvesonceroamed.wordpress.com/
Im tired just looking at it! Great story, Thanks!
Very inspiring!!! I’m aiming to run my first Warrior Dash next April! Thanks for sharing your story!
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I am so glad I read your post! That is amazing. I have been wanting to learn how to go from being a walker to a runner. You have given me some ideas. Thanks!!!
What a great story!! Congrats!
Fantastic! So inspirational!
I’ve got to help with a similar event the Metro Dash that was a pure obstacle/run course that was on a playing field here and volunteered with the athletes going to the event and will help with the Tough Mudder in November, I wish you the best of luck in your future races, thanks for the post. This’ll help with my plan to start running on my own!
nice blog check mine out at http://tennisprosrafanadal.wordpress.com/
Oh, your experience makes me want to take part in such activities. maybe now i should start to do excises.
your post very inspiring.
thanks for sharing.
your story is truly inspiring! thanks for sharing it!
wow this is not an easy task. Congrats you did it!
Looks like fun, nothing beats getting muddy and wet
You finished it and you have fun, you are awesome.
Great event, I have joined this some in Siem Reap Cambodia…. and my blog are posted it as well.
really inspiring…let the dash begin:)
Really funny and interesting. Im not sure that I can!
Bravo! I’m also experiencing the joy of breaking down previously built mental and physical barriers to do what I couldn’t have imagined doing before…at 35 years of age. Keep it up!
Sweet stuff, Ive been wanting to do some ironman events, but this looks right up my street, my max runs are just over 5k, so think the added challenge of terrain and obstacles sounds great. thanks for posting this
Funny — I’ve looked at the Warrior Dash repeatedly and ruled it out because (despite being otherwise fit and athletic), I have HORRIBLE knees. I haven’t run since college (16 years ago). But seeing the difference a good pair of shoes made — it makes me want to consider a pair of Merrell’s. Thanks for sharing — and congratulations!
Great job on your 5k! I started with 5Ks 3 years ago.
I’m a member of the Army Running Team and my coach hates the vibrams. The point of shoes is to absorb the shock and prevent injuries. My Army coach has too many athletes get injured from those shoes. Shin splints are caused by dehydration and old shoes. Usually new shoes of any kind will relieve shin splints.
Hi! Your story is similar to mine- the day before you ran your Warrior Dash, I competed in my first athletic event of any kind- my first 5k, which happened to be The Dirty 30, a 5k with mud and obstacles. If anyone had told me a year and a half ago that I would have done this, or that I would be a regular exerciser who gets up at 5:00am to go to a group class, I would have laughted myself silly at them, and possibly called in mental health services. But from following Weight Watchers and exercising, I’ve lost over 110 lbs since Jan. 2010. I still have a lot to go, but I am doing better than ever and looking forward to another “adventure race” in October. Even though I walked most of it, I couldn’t be prouder of what I’ve done, and I know you feel the same.
Congrats, and keep up the excellent work!!!
Congratulations to you on your accomplishments as well! I’m really inspired by your ability to lose 110 pounds. That is amazing! Keep up your great work too.
wow congratulations! i would never be able to do that! well done
Awesome job! Congrats! I wanted to do this earlier in the year but didn’t get a chance too. Now I think you’ve inspired me to get a team together for next year!
Congrats on the Warrior Dash! I’ve been entertaining the idea of trying C25K after reading others’ success stories. The bareform thing might be what I need to get me to try it. Great post.
I’m working on a post about bareform running. I’m no expert at it but there have been a lot of people who have commented on this post who would like to hear more about my experience with it.
Congrats on the 5K success, Stern! Very inspiring, woo woo!
I’m gonna link to this one in my blog so that when I do decide to get back into shape (maybe this fall when the 100+ temps subside)! I’m a “burnt-out” runner who’s been off the wagon for a couple of yrs now.
my friends and i had actually planned on attending the warrior dash as well, but a conflict came up. next year, we’re in. and i’ll plan to wear my horned hat and maybe bring a sword as well.
http://www.icouldntmakethisshitup.wordpress.com
Congrats! That’s amazing. I’ve been doing Crossfit for the past 5 months and I love it, but the running really takes it out of me. I’ve been looking into programs where I can do variations of sprinting/rest to help improve my lung capacity, because that’s what really holds me back most in my fitness.
Thanks for the post! I’m an office chair prisoner and I’m going to do a Warrior Dash next year.
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That is awesome dude. I am trying to do the best I can with P90X and Insanity, but your story tops that
!
Keep up the good work dude…
http://www.theklowntimes.net
That was an amazing feat, congratulations on finishing the race and accomplishing your goals
I love your blog, so interesting.
Awesome! I started running since I got my FiveFingers but haven’t made a ton of progress (and now live at 7000+ feet which makes it even tougher). I’m trying to get back on track with my running, but one of my problems is that I just find running very boring, which means my mind tends to be overactive thinking about how miserable running is.
I’d love to do something like a warrior dash… throw a little spice into the run! It’s also why I prefer trail running, though it isn’t as nice here as it was in my previous home in the redwoods… here it’s much more rocky (too rocky for using VFFs) and usually very hot. I picked up some Trail Gloves too since the trails here are so rough and I love them so far!
I just started that couch to a 5k program. Glad I found this blog and Congrats
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Congrats for completing it!! Though I haven’t completed in a Warrior Dash (sounds quite cool), I’ve had my own challenging 5k to deal with recently too. This was challenging because, like you, I had no interest of running for more than 100m much less 5k until one day I decided to sign up for a 5k race and followed a beginner’s running plan too
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How awesome for you! Congrats!
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