Warrior Dash: All I needed was a little help from my friends
Sandra jumping over fire
I did it! All I needed was a little help from my friends.
When Karen announced that she had signed up for Tough Mudder, a 16 km army style obstacle run through the mud, I knew I was not ready to take on such a challenge. I have never been a runner, and had tried at least 3 learn to run programs before joining ellephysio, always stopping short of my goal due to injury. In fact, at the time I was still recovering from a painful heel spur that had left me doing less cardio than ever before.
So I suggested that we try Warrior Dash. Which was only 5.6 km and gave me an extra 2 months to train. I did not sign up right away because I was a little worried about my injury and I knew I wanted to do it with a group.
In the meantime I had already been receiving treatments at the clinic from Karen and Leslie for my injury, and I was doing as much self-treatment and ultrasound as I could. I then started doing Pilates with Linda and Riikka and I started working out with Karen, Natasha, and the Tough Mudder team. When I was feeling stronger and my foot was feeling less painful I start once again a learn to run 5km program. It was a bit of a rough start but with some help from Karen on my gait mechanics I was able to work through it.
I have to say the morale within the office was contagious. We were all trying new things from indoor rock climbing at Climbers Rock to Kickboxing classes at Rising Sun Martial Arts, and even sharing recipes for smoothies and healthy snacks.
The day for ellephysio’s Mudders from Elle to do Tough Mudder finally came, and the team succeeded, completing the challenge with an amazing team finish running through the loose electrical wires hand in hand and over the finish line. The pictures of Karen, Natasha and the rest of the team smiling ear to ear, covered in mud, and pride in their eyes was only further motivation.
So, I was excited and nervous when Karen announced that she was then registered for Warrior Dash and the call for a team was out. It was time for me to put my money where my mouth was, ready or not Warrior Dash here I come.
Sanda & Karen at DBodz Bootcamp
By this time, thanks to all the therapeutic help from my friends at ellephysio my heel was feeling much better. We were all going rock climbing at least once a week, I was going kickboxing once a week and I was doing the learn to run program on my own at my own pace, and a group Pilates class whenever possible. It sounds like a lot but we were having so much fun we even signed up for a group bootcamp with DBodz Fitness. Working out had become a social event like I had never known before. We were encouraging each other and challenging each other, it was really a fun and positive experience.
When the day for Warrior Dash came, I was so nervous. I had never done anything like this. Did our training really prepare me for 5.6 kilometres up and down Horseshoe Valley Ski hills, with the added challenge of mud and 13 obstacles? But Karen reassured me, and reminded me that we were a team! Once on site I was excited. There we were, team x-elle-erate with our purple shirts and purple knee socks. 3 – 2 – 1 – Go! We set off up the mountain, slow and steady. I will admit that I was the turtle of the team, but my team stuck with me, and cheered me on without ever making me feel like I was holding them back. Our goal after all was just to finish and have fun. The energy in general was amazing. Everybody was helping and encouraging each other, even from other teams. The team warrior calls echoed through the forest.
Each obstacle and each hill looked difficult but we took each one as it came and once each one was over we celebrated and moved on. Before I knew it I could hear the music playing and we were heading up the last hill. I touched the post and it was all down hill from there. Over the cargo net, over the two rows of fire, through the mud under the wire on hands and knees, then slipping through the mud over the finish line hand in hand with smiles ear to ear! I…We Did It!
Each one of us overcame either some sort of injury and/or fear to accomplish this, but we did it. And I have to say that I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of the team at ellephysio and our extended family: Karen, Lynnette, Leslie, Natasha, Jen, Justine, Carrie, Sam, Joe, Tim, Scott, Linda, Riikka, not to mention Climbers Rock, Rising Sun, and DBodz Fitness.
Sandra & Lynnette trudging through the mud!
That being said I did not run the whole course, I did walk a lot, Horsehoe Valley really is a mountain compared to anything in Oakville, but I survived and I am now stronger for it. What I have learned is that this is a lot easier with so much loving support, I don’t have to try to do it alone, and having a real goal including a date, keeps me on track. So Karen, Lynnette and I have all signed up for the 5km Dirty Girl Mud Run in Buffalo NY on September 7th, and we invite anyone who would like to take on the challenge to join our team. Our team name is “Elle Girls Like It Dirty”. 😉
I am also hoping to get enough interest to start a team for the December Santa 5km Run/Walk. And ellephysio might even start a group learn to run program in September to help anyone who wants to train for the event. So jump on board the team challenge train today and talk to us about joining our team for Dirty Girl, Tough Mudder, or the Santa 5 km run/walk.
You…We Can Do it! All you need is a little help from your friends.
