Marine Corps Historic Half Recap

Please note, I wrote this post after May 20th and forgot to Publish, oops.

So, it is Thursday, and I finally feel somewhat human enough to finally give a recap on this past weekend's half-marathon. First off, I finished the damn thing. That is what matters, right? Finishing? I mean, that is what everyone asks when you go home. Of course I finished! Was it my best race, umm... no.  However, I managed to PR by almost 5 minutes from last year's race. What I can't figure out is how there were supposed to be 8,000 people running, and only about 5,000 or so actually got medals. Can you answer that golden question?

Saturday evening

I went out to dinner and had a healthy protein/carb dinner with a new running group that I had recently joined, because I was the lucky soul to get picked to be a part of a ragnar team that will occur in several months. Of course, I am nervous about the race and what to eat. Last year, I fell ill around mile 8, and off to all the port-o-potties I went. I didn't want that sick gut again, and so I made sure to watch what I eat several days prior. I had the chef make sure to make the noodles nice and dry, and I added my own basil grapeseed oil on top. Word to the wise: if you are lactose intolerent, and like to cheat... don't do it around race time. That includes whey protein shakes the morning of. I figured out my culprit last year, and avoided it this time. Oh, and don't try anything new on race day, including those tempting energy Jelly Bellies. When I got home, I went to bed. 5 am came way too early.

Sunday morning

It is game time! This year, my husband ran with me for the first time, ever. Last year, he teased me after the half when I was really sore on the long flight to Hawaii two days later. Whose laughing now? We woke up, and I was perky about the race. A little too perky for my husband. According to him, "You eat this shit up, don't you?" Who wouldn't be excited about lots and lots of people cheering you on, and receiving a gawdy medal to go brag about?

I got my new bottle from the expo with my new Nuun tabs, and allowed them to fizzle into my water. I grabbed some almond butter, and expected to pick up a bagel somehow on the way to the race-- which never happened. Luckily, someone awesome gave me their Cliff bar, whew.

The Race

The race started off nice and cool, and I was pumped that Alison Sweeney was the celebrity for this year's race. If you don't know who that is, she is the host from the Biggest Loser. She finished the half in a little over 2 hours. Pretty dang fast. I jumped in the corral with some of my new friends, and off we went! I was doing great, until the sun started beating down my face. I lost all my hydration within the first 3 miles of the race, and my husband saw the worried look on my face. I wasn't sweating, and my breathing was more rapid than usual. My 9 minute mile pace eased to a 10, and before long, I was at a 11. I would lose my husband in the crowd, and he would look back, and slow down. I felt awful. I couldn't understand why I felt soo overheated. This was not what I envisioned for the race, at all. I was seeing kids and heavier people pace me as if I was backing up. I couldn't understand why my stride was not lengthening.

He fussed at me for a while, and it only irritated me more. Around mile 7, I told him to go on and finish. I didn't want him hanging around. I knew my stubborness, and somehow I was going to finish with a medal regardless how I felt. Last year, there was an overcast, and a bit of a drizzle. I stopped at every water point, and grabbed a cup of Gatorade and water. I was excited to see the crowds of supporters, and it motivated me to push further. This year, drinking anything during the first half of the race, made me feel nauseous. I wasn't sweating, and I didn't need to use the restroom. I knew I was in trouble. I didn't want to see the supporters, and I was just trying my best to finish without puking, or passing out.

The last two miles, I ran my little heart out. In my head, I sang, "M-i-c-k-ey M-o-u-s-e..." and something my toddler says in the back seat over and over that drives me crazy at times, "chugga chugga chugga chugga choo choo!" Oh, yes, my friends, I finished the race chanting that to myself. You laugh, but you do what you gotta do. I saw the end in sight, and I just ran. I was running for water and gatorade, if being completely honest. I was also wanting to sit down to cool off. I am not going to lie when I saw the ambulance on Hospital Hill and knew that I should've been it, but then I wouldn't have gotten a medal, either. I did, however, stop at all of the water stations after I shoo'd my husband away. I even felt wasteful by dumping some of it over my head a few times. It felt good.

Back to finishing... I ran across the finish, wearily accepted my finisher's medal, just to be grabbed by the "town crier". I looked longingly over to the table of refreshments, and was bombarded by the craziest question. "How are you feeling?" Did he really want my honest opinion as this professional photographer wanted to take our picture? Weakly, I said, "dizzy". "Oh, and you can lean on me." Then, lights out... No, no, I am just joking, lol.

Two more days...

Until I am running the Marine Corps half, again! I am a bit nervous about my nervous belly, ha! I am keeping a restrictive no dairy- bland diet until race day. My goal is to finish around 2 hours. So, we shall see. :)

The Primal Mud Race recap

This past Saturday, was my first mud obstacle race of the year. I've done two last year, and I can honestly say, you don't know what to expect at each one. After a good friend of mine, suggested that we should do this one for our last get-together before she left for Japan, I went online to scout it out. This is a very new race, and after scoping out their inaugural pictures from this past fall, I couldn't help but be disappointed. I am paying this much to do this on a farm?


I headed over to my friend's house, and slept on a chair, since she was getting prepared for her big move, and we woke up bright and early to head to the race. Upon arriving, I could see it was definitely on a farm. The parking was well organized, and we didn't have to walk several miles just to get to the location. We took before pictures, and I even spotted a meet-up group that I'm in.

 If you've never been to one of these things, you should definitely go. Be a spectator! It is hilarious to see all the costumes people wear to these things. I mean, I saw Thor there, hammer and all. Or the two guys in leopard leotard tutus-- that was an extra bonus. Of course, I couldn't help but spat out b*tch under my breath when I saw the hoochie girls showing their rock hard bods with minimal clothing. My mommy days have definitely taken a toll this body, and yes, I am jealous that my abs will never look the same, lol.

So, I went and grabbed my little packet of goodies. The t-shirt, was pretty lame, and cheap-- I am not going to lie about that. I went to port-o-johns several times to make sure I was not going to have an unexpected surprise on this 4 mile run. Unless, you are hot shot freaking stud at these types of races, this is not your standard 5k plus race. Filled with obstacles, water holes, hidden muck under flattened tall grass, and HUGE foot hills, that make you go to a crawl. Oh, and the snake/groundhog holes. Yes, everything on these races, say.. let's break a bone today. The ironic thing is, I am absolutely addicted to them. I love the victory of finishing a half-marathon, but nothing compares to a damn good muddy obstacle race. The bruises and sore muscles acquired the next day, is proof.

So, anyhoo, my heat was at 9:30 am... and it was an elite heat. Not that I thought I was a complete badass, but simply, all the normal "run for fun" heats were sold out.

When I saw that our first obstacle was 10 foot wall, yeah, I already knew that happy toosh was not going to be able to chicken wing it with my 5'3 frame. So, luckily, this 6'2 dude gave me a lift. I already knew I was in trouble, lol. Pumped and ready to find more obstacles, (it's like a scavenger hunt for me) I picked up pace, and started to run. The ground was uneven with unexpected holes, and it made it brutal on my ankles. I even rolled one. The next obstacle looked a bit daunting. It was a narrow plank that went up to a platform over about 5 to 6 feet over a muddy water pit. My friend balanced beamed it, and I saw the plank wobble, and I knew that I didn't trust myself not to fall in. So, I straddled it to the top. Girls behind us took it to a whole new level. They got on their tummy's and inched wormed it. Quite amusing. Then, up a rope wall, and down, and we were good to go.

More running, hills, perhaps.. and then came the lake. Unusually calm, and there sat 7 rows by 2 of big plastic barrels held down by bobwire. Looking at it, you're like, no big deal... Until you get into the water, and every bit of your body wants to jump out. It is icy cold, and it took my breathe away. My friend, the stronger swimmer, dives head first. I sigh, and make myself follow. I go under one barrel, oh my goodness, this is freaking cold, come up for air, go down, holy crap this is too cold, come up, my chest is tightening, come up, gasp for air.. my breathing is getting harder, and I start to panic. I found the plywood sides, and hoist my chest above water to get my blood circulating again. I look at the few rows I have left, and my friend that is almost finished. I cry, a little help, and was pissed off at myself for feeling weak. I saw the volunteer with the boat, and was like, I got to get out of this water fast. Like a ripping off a bandaid, I push through the barrels, and swam as fast as I could to get the heck out of the water. My legs and arms are frozen, and I am grimacing. But, I did it. Damn you water barrels!

We start running, and this provided much relief to the rest of my body. The blood was finally circulating to my legs, and arms, and I was finally warming up again. My episode in the water left me a bit fatigued, and I knew that it made it harder for the rest of the race.

The sand bag carry was the easiest for me, maybe because I carry my two-year-old a lot. The tires were easy, and the little water holes were fun to cross. There are too many to obstacles to count, but it was fun and challenging. I have to admit, I shouldn't have judged this prior to doing it. I compared it to the Spartan sprint from last year, and this was by far more mental and physical. Once this race gets a lot of feedback, it will spread like wildfire. 4 miles later at 1:31, I was happy to have the cold beer that awaited me. It wasn't the best PR I've had with my previous races, but, eh.. I am sure I'll get better, and running it with a good friend who will be missed.

  Check out: www.primalmudrun.com.

Check out some pics that were taken so far! http://www.sweat-shots.com/p712879884