No truer words

Doctor, Doctor

I finally broke down and went to the doctor to check on my back of the knee pain area. I had put it off worried that I'd be sent back to physical therapy. I am happy to report that after a few x-rays and orders not to run for another week or two I was given some anti inflammatories and sent on my way.

I went for a short run on Sunday. Some ice and a pill and I am back in business.

I am a Warrior

anybody else hear Patty Smyth and Scandal running through there heads after reading that title? I am showing my age.

Going into the Warrior Dash I had a few apprehensions - any obstacle involving water and any tall walls. The site said the water would be 3-4 ft deep. Liars! My friend Val is almost 5'10 and couldn't touch the bottom. One thing you should know about me is that I have a thing about water that I can't see through and I can't swim. (don't judge)

I wasn't concerned about the running or the fire obstacle. I was actually pretty pumped about jumping over fire.

I was concerned when I overheard a very fit looking runner chick say she did the dash last year and it was the hardest thing she ever did...

Well here's the low down. This was far from the hardest thing I've ever done. It wasn't easy but it was a challenge and it was a blast!

We were late to register and the only time slots available were at 8:00 am, the first run. This actually was an advantage. I image the course and obstacles get tougher as the day goes on just due the amount of people running through them. Our goal was not worry about time just to get through each obstacle. I suggested we start at the back of the pack taking some of the pressure off getting through the obstacles while knowing you are holding other people up.

First we ran till we hit the first obstacle - the slithering swamp. It was swampy, cold, and deep. It was a small lake and the had the area for you to "run" through roped off. I used the rope to pull myself along when I could no longer touch the bottom.

Next up was Road Rage - running through tires and over old cars. Probably the easiest of all the obstacles. The we hit the Barricade Breakdown which you had to climb over a about 4ft wall and then under barbed wire. The hard part was getting your footing in the mud. Then we ran a little more till we hit the Great Warrior Wall. This was an oh shit moment. This wall was easily 12ft tall and you had to pull yourself up using a rope. This really was the scariest part. I could see myself losing my grip and falling to my death. After wall everything else seemed easy.

The tire tread, muddy mayhem, cargo climb, chaotic crossover and arachnophobia went by quick. We then hit the blackout and everyone thought they had to crawl through it since you had to stay low but I there was no way I was going to crawl through unseen dirt so I just squatted down and walked through it - being short has it's advantages.

We did some more hiking/running and came upon the Petrifying Plunge which we were told by the person manning the obstacle to go do head first even though I swear we read on the waiver not to go head first but all four us did. It was fun because you hauling butt down the hill until you realize to stop you are either going to slam into bales of hay or another person. I managed to run into both my daughter and hay - the best of both worlds. At that point we could see the end of course. We just had to make through the menacing minefield which consisted of going under barbed wire (once again I squatted) and rolling over some wooden logs and then a barrel. I actually had the hardest time getting over that barrel than any other thing on the course. I finally made over that barrel to come out to the long awaited Warrior Roast. The thing I was most looking forward to...and that's when it happened. I took my leap over he first line of fire and somehow landed wrong and immediately felt a shooting pain at the back of my knee. I jumped over the second line of fire and hobbled across the finish line.

The girls want to make it an annual event. Val and I are trying to decide if it's a one and done or if we really want to make it an annual event. Truthfully, the accomodations were our first obstacle. I am now the proud owner of a set of "travel sheets" to be used when we have to stay at some place sketchy. However, it was a lot of fun and the best run event I've been to. They had a bag check. You turned in your timing chip to recieve your free beer. There were lots of porta potties. And there was even a coupon on your bib for $5 off a $20 purchase of warrior gear. In addition, if you didn't want a helmet you could get an additional t-shirt instead which is nice for those who already have a helmet from last year because really how many helmets does one person need unless you plan to outfit an army of warriors.

The official photos are suppose to be available on the 18th. I hope to post some but be warned, it's going to be ugly.

The Beginning and The End

It started like this

and ended like this

more to come....

Am I a Warrior?

Next Saturday I'll find out as my daughter, a dear friend and her daughter all head to North Georgia to tackle the Warrior Dash.

I am more concerned about having to run through neck deep water than I am about fire. Please, please, don't let there be water...

End of a 32 day streak

My feet on the pavement. Its a good end.

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Sent using my BlackBerry

Lent

I have yet to run a race for March. Poor planning on my part. I really wanted to do some sort of Shamrock run or something around St. Patricks day but truth be told I was so busy eating my self into a sugar coma for Fat Tuesday that I couldn't stomach the idea of running that weekend or the week after and even now it doesn't sound like such a great idea. It looks as if I may have given up running for Lent...

well maybe not Lent, maybe just the month of March.

Mardi Gras 5K

February's race was the Mardi Gras 5K. It was the 2nd annual. I didn't run the 1st so I can't make a comparison.

Low points:

the line for number pick up was long and slow (at least for my part of the alphabet)

I received the largestsize Med shirt I've ever laid eyes on. Seriously my husband could wear it and he wears an XL

It was 30 stinkin degrees out, but that's really not the races fault

My finish time 32:30

High points:

I ran the whole race and never once thought "I've got to stop" or "is it almost over" or "this sucks"

I seriously had a religious experience and gave in to running at an even pace and wasn't concerned about my time ( that changed slighty as I got closer to the finish line)

I beat the hills

My finish time 32:30

My finish time is both a high and a low. I really don't like to take longer than 30 mins but for 32 minutes isn't so bad for hills and being so stinkin cold that I couldn't tell if my labored breathing was from running fatigue or not being able to catch my breath because it was so cold.

February Race

I really don't like this course. Its the same or close to the same course for Christmas in July and the Jobble Jog. At this point I am just gonna keep running races on this course until it no longer sucks to me.

New Gear

Being snowed/iced in Georgia last week lead to zero running. Catching up at work from the week out of the office has lead to minimal running this week. To inspire me, I order these from Zappos yesterday. Holy crap these compression pants are fantastic. Worth every single dollar. I was so inpsired I put on my new shoes and pants and no I didn't run. It was dark out and I am a scaredy-cat. I did the 30 Day Shred. Yeah, I was that inspired.

After the Shred, I packed my gym bag to make sure I made it to the treadmill tomorrow before work. I am telling you the pants are that great!

2011 Running Goals

Nothing complicated. 12 races in 12 months. I am going to try not to get too tied up on time and distance. I just want to focus on the joy of running. Oh and maybe a smaller butt.

New Year

I started this year with 3.1 miles in the cold Georgia rain.

33:32 soaking wet