Warrior Dash

Tabitha, Patti, and I drove to the Poconos to compete in the Warrior Dash this year. We were originally going to do the MD location, but with Tabitha just having a baby, Patti's injuries, and my daughter's dance recital all occurring at that time we switched to the PA location. I'm really glad we did! Parking was super easy and the course itself was excellent! My only complaint was the water feature - a very wobbly, make-shift platform with one too many people on it.
Getting ready to start!

We went with matching costumes. I only wish we would've gotten a shot of our socks - they were super cool!!!

The course itself literally circled the race track. We ran on a dirt road and every now and then you'd come across an obstacle. The very first one had the longest wait for any of them (besides the awful water feature); we crawled under barb wire and there was no way around it which made for long lines.

 There were a ton of cargo net type obstacles...

 This one is from the water feature. You climbed up onto a small platform then climbed down the other side. While climbing down you were hit with water (almost like little water guns every where shooting at you), then you climbed into a pool of sorts that you waded through - it was all very strange.

 Another cargo net type thing was a long tunnel - you just crawled through it...sort of...

 

Here is another one of the mud obstacles. This one was fun, you climbed up and slid down into pits of water. It was challenging and my favorite obstacle of the day...

 

This was a lovely little marsh we got to stomp through. It was shortly after this obstacle that there was a bear spotted. They had security running around trying to contain it. We didn't see it, but we didn't stick around long either!

 

Walking the planks...

Climbing, climbing, climbing...

 

 

 

 

One of the last things you do at the Warrior Dash is leap over fire...

then "swim" through the mud pit.

 

 

 

 

All done!!

 

We had a lot of fun, but I'm glad these mud runs are over! I don't think I'll be signing up for anymore of them unless my husband wants to do one. They are not my favorite race, but they are certainly fun when done with the right people!!

Dirty Girl Mud Run

On August 10th (9am wave) I ran the Dirty Girl Mud run with my good friends Tabitha and Patti (and her daughter Steph). It was a fun race. Obstacles were fun and the people were fun. I'm glad our wave was early - we had no issues getting through check-in (we did notice a nice long line to check-in while we were waiting to start).
Waiting for the start.

 

Obstacles or bouncy houses?!?

A little mud...

 

 

climbing cargo nets

This was such a laid back race (no timing chips). Everyone was standing around taking pictures before/after obstacles and a good many were walking. After one of the mud obstacles:

A little stream we had to cross. This wasn't one of the obstacles just mother nature's idea of fun.

Getting tangled up...

messy cameras!

Climbing over walls

The Dirty Girl mud run was a lot of fun and I would highly recommend this race for any beginner to running and obstacle races. Super fun and most of the obstacles were easy - they left you feeling awesome without being over taxing. Great race!!

Sprint Duathlon

 

I did it! I did it! I did it!!! I completed my first ever duathlon!! I had so much fun. It was such a great day and a great race. I still can't believe I did it; it just seems so surreal. I completed the MD Women's Sprint Duathlon on August 4, 2013 in 1:34:59. Since it was sprint distance it was the following: run 2 miles/bike 13 miles/run 2 miles.
My breakdown:
2 miles: 17:48 (8:54 pace)
Transition 1: 1:15
13 miles: 54:15
Transition 2: 1:10
2 miles: 20:29 (10:15 pace)
I finished 12th for my age group and 32 overall. There were 122 results posted. I am so proud of myself on how well I did!!
My husband came with me and took a ton of photos, but we somehow failed to get one of us together. We left super early - it was still dark and very cold! I wasn't expecting the colder weather since it's August, and the only coat Chris had in his truck was his military winter one!

I walked my bike over to the holding area. I thought since we were so early I'd get the front spot, but my rack was the only one that had bikes on it! I was still pretty close to the entrance, but a few bike spots down. On the way out I got my arm and leg marked with my race number. They also put my age on my leg so people could tell if they were in your age group while running (I actually thought that was kind of fun while racing because any time I got near someone in my age group I'd speed up). I raced back to Chris's truck when done to stay warm...

 

I was too antsy to sit still for long though, so we got out and just walked around taking pictures and chatting. It was almost like a 'date' with my hubby!

 Sun coming up!

 Waiting to start!

 Still a little cold, but really just nervous...

 the road ahead...

 and we are off!

 I didn't really pass anyone and not many passed me. We all seemed to be about the same pace.

 Ending the first 2 mile run...

 and heading into transition...

 

 

and I'm off on my bike for 13 miles! I was so nervous for the bike portion. I had never ridden my bike on the road (other then just around post) before the race. The race was on a bunch of back country roads, so there were some cars but not nearly what I was expecting. Surprisingly I really enjoyed the bike portion! I wasn't sure about passing other bikers, but found it went easier then I thought (minus one crazy woman who insisted on riding in the left so no one could get around her).

 Here I am heading to the transition to start my run - can you tell I was having fun?!?

leaving the transition - in my excitement I forgot to take off my helmet. Just tossed it to my hubby and kept going. Here is where I made my first big mistake. I took a GU. If it wasn't the thick chocolate one I probably would've done better. For some reason it just stuck in my throat and I felt like gagging for the last 2 mile run. I think it was because I was thirsty and tired. I sucked down all my water on the bike ride. Next time I'll train a little more with brick workouts and practice fueling.

 the last 2 mile run...

 heading into the finish...

 

 do I look tired?

 Finally!!

 I was so proud!!!

Just typing this post makes me smile. It was such a great day. I would love to do another race like this again.