Warrior Dash DC...

Spartan Race and Warrior Dash* races are all the rage in amateur racing these days.  Those adventures that combine strength, endurance, the chance to leap through fire, and enormously silly costumes as participants launch themselves toward the finish line in hopes of glory and beer.  Indeed, the finisher "medal" at the Warrior Dash is a proper viking helmet - horns and all.  There was a time when I thought to enter such a test of my warrior ethos (in truth, I did register for one that I scratched due to last minute overseas travel) but no longer. Since my back injury in 2010, I have made a fragile peace with my sacroiliac joint allowing me to run and do yoga, but I'm not interested in launching into an affair that may set me back again in order to look silly and cross the finish line covered in mud (I can find mud on a great trail run).

Well, it appears my avoidance has caught up to me after all...it's called the urban jungle.  Yes, even residential DC can present the amateur runner with obstacles to test agility, balance and the ability to stay upright on two feet.  Just what were these obstacles I encountered in the shadows of the illustrious capitol building?  River fording - a great crossing of the sidewalk span drenched by the man watering said sidewalk (yeah...I said that right, watering the sidewalk).  The chaotic crossover* - balancing while hopping back and forth to avoid teetering into one of the many holes created by missing sidewalk bricks.  Storming Normandy* - dodging the bikes, baby carriages, other determined joggers and crazy canines dashing across my path.  And last but not least, Hell's Hill* - the final sprint back up 6th Street NE to Stanton Park on that great incline.  Yes, I completed my own Warrior Dash today....now where's my fuzzy warrior helmet and beer?

On a more solemn note, I ended the day with a touch of perspective and inspiration.  As my yoga class was getting set to start, a group of ladies entered together, one of them holding herself upright using the forearm crutches symbolic of her cerebral palsy.  Her ability to fully participate in the class was hampered by her disability, but she was there, on that mat, bringing peace to her body in meditation while the rest of the class bent and twisted to their hearts content.  Let me remember not to let my aches, pains and impediments be a crutch for not "being present" for myself and my well-being.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.24
Time:   34:07 (average pace of 8:02 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Settled and in complete working order

*These terms are fully credited to Warrior Dash.