Warrior Dash Portland

Ruth and Me, pre-Dash

After Jay did the Warrior Dash in WA, I was so inspired that I made plans to do it with my friend, Ruth and some other gals who were already signed up for the one in Oregon.  3.18 miles with about 12 obstacles didn't sound too terrible.  However, the website neglected to inform us that there were several straight uphill climbs in the course....and I'm here to tell you that those were the killers.  Trying to run them, in the 96 degree dry weather, with four hundred other people around you kicking up the dust....yikes.  My lungs were on fire the first part of the course....but I prevailed.  Did not walk around any obstacle.  Since the run was on Sept 11, I told myself beforehand that I would stick it out no matter how hard in honor of the victims and heros of 9/11.  And so I did.  The one obstacle that I dreaded most was the Deadweight Drifter.  Blech!  You had to slide yourself into this mystery lake/pond and in order to get to the other side, you had to heave yourself up and over floating logs.  Website says trudge through "waist deep" water, but to me that is more like neck deep.  Trying to find my bearings with my short legs on the bottom of the pond in order to heave myself up and over about eight logs proved to be very difficult, so my friend Ruth stayed behind me the whole way and basically pushed me up!  Any friend that is willing to put her hand in your rear and heave you up is a good friend :)  Good thing I had goggles on because there was no getting around being dunked head first once you popped over the log.  OY!  I have a phobia with water that I cannot see through and to the bottom of (think: Stand By Me, with the Leach scene...), so this was a huge challenge mentally.  But I did it, by Gosh, I did it!  It was definitely an experience and though I say I don't have the desire to do it again, I probably will if we are still here next summer.  Ruth is already counting on me.  It is just NOT my style, but its pretty cool knowing I conquered some fears along the way.  To top off my jaunt to Portland, I got to visit some of the Oregon family which was a bonus....especially since they let me take a nice warm shower and clean up :)

The location was way out in the country, at a place called Hornings Hideout in North Plains.  A pretty cool chunk of land actually.

Soooo many people!!

Just after the race

The girls dipped in the "warrior bath" to clean most of the mud off of them, but I chose to pass.  Did not want to get near another pond of mystery water!!

You get a free bear once you finish the race, but we all donated our tokens to Ruth

Part of the course that we parked next to - the "plank walk".  Harder than it appears (at least for those who have short legs!!)

One of the switchback 'mountains'.  This photo doesn't do it justice - it was a killer, hence the ambulance....