Ninja Love and Warrior Running

I love Rich to pieces. I wouldn't change a thing about him, really. I might complain over they way he's cranky as a bear in the morning, and a night owl by nature. I laugh and point at him when he gets really worked up over a video game, or watches those "most amazing incredible videos ever" so intently, with the explanation of "if I'm ever in that situation one day, I want to know what to do" (Because random charging bulls often run down the streets of South Carolina, and you never know when a stolen Army tank may come barreling through our neighborhood...haha). He is perfect, quirks and all.

That said, I do get a teensy tiny bit jealous when I read other's blogs, talking about how their hubby's joined them in the weekend 5k, or even crossed the finish line of a marathon hand in hand! It would be nice to share my passion with my soul mate (awww!) Thus, I have made it my life long quest to get this man to run in an organized race. I have foolishly convinced myself that once he crosses his first finish line, he will be a reformed, die hard endurance junkie, just like me. Every time we are organizing our closet, I show him the bike jersey my sister Holly gave him, still wrapped up in the plastic. I tell him that ONE DAY, he will be thankful that I saved this thing.

Yeah I am a little delusional. Or so I thought.

Let's get a little side tracked for a second...Rich and I LOVE the Japanese game show "Ninja Warrior". If you've never seen it, well, you need to. It's hysterical.




I only somewhat joked the other day on my facebook page that I want to make my game show debut on Ninja Warrior. OK let's face it, we've established many times in the past that my upper body strength is that of a string bean, if string bean's had arms. But the women's course is a lot more about balance than strength, so I figure I could put up some decent competition. Rich assured me that going to Japan is not in our 5 year plan, so I am out of luck. But a girl can dream, right?

So I swear I'm going somewhere with this...boot camp Coach Phil sent me the following link last night, joking that I could use this as ninja warrior practice. The WARRIOR DASH. A 3.22 mile obstacle course that promises to be the "craziest frickin day of your life". And what's more, you get a warrior helmet with your entry fee. I am SOLD.

I showed Rich last night, and after he said "that looks crazy", I asked "want to do it with me?"

Believe me when I say I just about fell out of my chair when he replied "sure".

Quickly followed by "but I probably have to run a few times before the race, huh?"

*sigh* Yes, Rich, just a few times, probably.

I'm already saving up my pennies to enter us before he changes his mind. Muahahahaha. (in an evil, deep, warrior-esque voice)

I haven't figured out how I'm going to train for crawling through mud under barbed wire, leaping over fire pits, or swimming underneath logs, but we'll worry about the logistics later. (Actually, that just sounds like an average party in Vermont...I've seen crazier!) This is how the website suggests one trains for the race:

How do I train for Warrior Dash?

1. Day one: run as far as you can. Go home. Day two: do the same thing.

2. Find the dirtiest pond in your neighborhood and snorkel in it - in your slippers, without goggles.

3. Practice your climbing and crawling skills at your local jungle gym. Ignore the small children and parental glares.

4. Do not shower or shave for weeks in order to obtain a true Warrior look.

What I DO know is I am going to rock my warrior helmet with pride because this has to be the coolest thing ever, short of actually doing the Ninja Warrior course itself. Watch out Mountain City, Georgia (wherever that is) I'm on a mission...