Warrior Dash here I come

As you've probably noticed, I've been riding the cloud 9 I've been on from Sunday's race high into the sky. But, now that the blisters are healed and my thighs and hips don't feel like I am carrying 40 lb weights around anymore it's time to get serious - time to set a new goal.

So what now?

Well, I could do another half-marathon. But I've been there, done that. (Not to say I'll never do another one, you better believe I will later this year or early 2012).

Instead, I am coming out completely from my comfort zone and doing something that scares the sh*t out of me most. Being that horrified of heights and plummeting to any sort of injury or death, it's time to climb over things and get dirty. September, 17, 2011 I will compete in...

WARRIOR DASH

From the Warrior Dash website:

Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell. This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with kick-ass music, beer and warrior helmets.

In real terms, it is a 3.15 mile run with 11 obstacles including a 4ft wall, crawling through mud under barbed wire and leaping over fire. And I know I can do it.

My biggest obstacle (ha, pun) is having no idea how to train for something like this. A friend and I joked about building an obstacle course in her backyard. Not a bad idea. I don't run and have no upper body strength. I'm lending my focus to the upper body and core strengthening for the next 6+ months, and hopefully will build up to feeling more comfortable to begin jogging again.

Tomorrow, I am heading to a Powerlift class at the employee gym. Monday, I start a bootcamp style class, which I will attempt to do 3 times a week for the next 4 weeks. The other two days of my weekly work out schedule will be devoted to yoga and interval walking. I am also going to try to keep busy with a few 5 and 10 Ks this summer and plenty of hiking trips. The good news is I have 6 months to figure out what in the hell I am doing.

So who wants to join me?