C&P has been a great advocate for health and fitness over the years and signups for 5K’s are more frequently showing up in our in-boxes. But running isn’t for everyone and to some, like my wife, it’s brutal and boring. But luckily, for those like me, who love the intensity and challenge of running, I came across a fun new way to run the 5k…drum roll, please…The Warrior Dash!
Upon further investigation of said Dash, I learned that The Warrior Dash includes swimming through alligator infested waters, jumping over blazing fires, belly crawling in the mud under barbed wire and general survival of the elements. And I still wanted to do it. Am I crazy? Maybe a little! I realized that it would be difficult, but surviving the whole crazy thing AND crossing the finish line were my goals; enjoying a beer and turkey leg after I finished were my incentives. What more could a guy ask for? Camaraderie, a show of strength, beer and crazy costumes – all jam packed into a single day of awesomeness.
- Photo Courtesy of www.LisaBrennamanPhotography.com
On the fateful day the Warriors were to Dash, seven of C&P’s finest showed-up, and as usual, were ready to get down to business. It wasn’t long before it became clear to us how many fierce competitors there were, wave after wave they came. Superheroes and scantily clad bodies, Elvis and other celebrity look-alikes outnumbered “normally clothed” participants.
Our ears were ringing with the noise of the crowd and a band, veins pumping with adrenaline. Soon, an alarm sounded and with hot flames roaring around the starting line, we Dashed into bug infested woods and crawled through the muck. Our knees were scraped, our lungs were burning and we met obstacle after never ending obstacle. The mosquitoes were the size of small house cats and the only way to avoid them was to become covered in mud. It wasn’t long until the crowd’s costumed colors of individuality came down to a single solid mass of dirt, blood and sweat, moving as one through the rough terrain.
Alligators rested hungrily on the banks of a two-mile wide river obstacle. The weak tried to avoid them, the brave fought through them and the few gods of The Warrior Dash strapped one to each foot and rode gallantly atop the gators to the other side where hurricane force winds surged. It was brutal. Debris were flying, razor sharp palm leaves hurtled past in blinding speed and all we could do was grit our teeth and power through.
- Photo Courtesy of Lisa Brennaman Photography
It seemed like days before we saw the finish line on the horizon, our vision was blurred by the heat and black smoke surged from an upcoming forty foot wall of flame. Finally, in a glorious exhausted stupor, we crossed the finish line. Victory! We are now Warriors!
So maybe part of my story is a little embellished, maybe you can guess which parts – maybe not. The point I’m trying to share is that the Warrior Spirit knows no bounds, the Warrior Spirit is what makes mole-hills out of mountains. It’s what keeps us going, it’s what makes us winners and it’s how we jump hurdles and cross finish lines, not only in 5K’s but in also life.
– Jason Brennaman, Architectural Graduate at C&P
