Beach Ultra

This year for the Destin Beach Ultra my good friend, Alyssa, and I decided we were going to ruck for the 24 hour challenge. It started off as a joke between us back in October, and became a reality when we both signed up in January. I was only able to join her for 12 hours because Chris had a work conflict and couldn't watch the kids for the last 12 hours. I'm still really proud of all we accomplished together and what she went on to achieve after I had to go.
Pre-Race Packing
I packed a lot of stuff for the event and ended up not needing most of it. I did good clothing wise - extra socks, clothes, sweatshirt for when it got cold.

The only thing I needed in this set was baby powder and vaseline. Sunscreen wasn't needed because we started at 1600 and I left at 0400, but was good to have anyway.

It really didn't take up that much room once it was all packed. I was extremely thankful that I wore regular sneakers to the event because those blue ones I packed were giving me trouble and I swapped them out about two hours in. I trained for all my sand runs last year and this year in those blue sneakers, but the lock laces were new (got them for the triathlon last summer right before I developed plantar fasciitis) - not a fan. They were causing the top of my foot to rub and making a blister form. Switching shoes saved my feet!!

Race Day
I picked up Alyssa Saturday morning and we headed to the race start in Destin (about 2 hours from where I live). The race shirts were pretty awesome!

People doing the 24 hour challenge, 100 mile challenge were setting up their tents already when we got there.

 

So happy before it started.

Our tent, which we lovingly referred to as "the cave."

When we started talking about rucking this event it was going to be Alyssa and I. In the end our team mates, Michael and Rob, from Team RWB, rucked with us. I was so thankful when they ended up doing it with us because we all supported each other through the entire night and they kept each other on track for those last 12 hours after I had to leave.
The four of us at the start:

Michael is an ultra runner. He knows what he's doing and his knowledge helped keep us moving through out the night. When he took a break, we took a break. When he said it was time to go, we went. We really had a great rhythm going all night thanks to his leadership!

The four of us really helped keep each other motivated through out the night and early morning hours. I carried a 20 lb ruck and Old Glory for the entire time I was out there.

 

I had never met Rob before that day, but he was so great! He always had nice things to say and cheered on any runner that passed us. When Alyssa developed a problem with her ankle, he gave her some pain patches that helped her finish the event. Michael and Rob really helped us get through this challenge. I'm so very thankful for them!!

The three of them (Rob, Michael, Alyssa) at the finish:

Together over 12 hours we rucked 30 miles then after I left they went on to finish with 50 miles!! I'm so very proud of what they accomplished. I was disappointed that I couldn't finish with them, but I was so proud of have been a small part of it all!

Now the only question that remains is what I'll tackle next year. Last year I did the relay, this year the 24 hour challenge (well, half of it). What to do next year?!?

January - Weight Training (LiveFit Trainer)

I need to get back on track and add some weight training to my routine, so I decided to start the LiveFit Trainer. I'm not sure I'll stick with it fully yet, but it will at least get me back in the gym and doing a routine. It's a start!

January 14th was day one. I dug out my old notebook from the first time I attempted the trainer and used it as my guide for starting weights. For the most part it was spot on which is impressive considering how long it's been since I've done anything in a gym. All I can really say about this day was UGH! Pushups!!

Day 2, January 15th was back and biceps. This is my favorite workout for phase 1. I always feel super strong when doing it.

 Day 3, Legs, legs, legs on January 19th. I'm not a fan of this one only because I feel lost in the gym. I did 140 on the leg press and while the weight felt good I was too worried about what people thought - dumb I know, but for some reason I felt like I should do more. I also couldn't find the standing calf raise or seated calf raise machines until I asked. They didn't have a standing one, but I used the seated one. Holy calves!

 

 

Day 4 on January 20th was delts and abs. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Those front delt raises and lateral raises always get me. 5 pounds feels like 50 pounds. Tough workout!

January 22nd was day 8 and the chest and triceps routine again. Those pushups again!

Day 9 on January 26th was back and biceps. Preacher curls are tough, but a great workout!

February 5th was the dreaded leg day again. No comment.

 

Day 11 was fun and interesting. I took the kids with me to the Family Fitness Center since it was a Saturday and Chris had to work. Kids enjoyed themselves and I got in a decent delts and abs workout.

 

The interesting part came after my workout. They were having a kids fear factor competition for families. Katelynn got to try avocados and Denver refused to try. Since I was lucky enough to be there by myself both kids got to have a go at selecting food for mommy to try...

First up...caviar

It was salty. Next up...

 

Sardines...

ICK! Thanks a lot kiddos!

January - what the ruck?!?

What exactly is rucking? Simply put it's when you put weight on your back and go for a walk. A "ruck sack" in the military is the backpack soldiers wear to carry their gear; in training scenarios soldiers can carry upwards of 200 pounds for over 25 miles. Well as I'm no longer in the military I'm not trying to carry 200 lbs around. The personal reasons I ruck are to honor our military and for fitness.
My really good friend, Alyssa, is a fan of rucking and has gotten me hooked. It's helped fill in the void of running. I carry 20 lbs in my little ruck. The weight I use is individually wrapped bricks and they sit on a yoga block to help distribute the weight.
Alyssa and I were in the middle of a ruck back in November and we stopped for a coffee break. She jokingly mentioned doing a 24 hour ruck at the Destin Ultra in February. Well she joked with the wrong person because now we are all signed up to do it! I've been loosely following a half marathon training plan during January to prepare for the ultra.
I met another good friend, Rebecca, at the Big Lagoon State Park for a ruck on Saturday, January 9th. We ended up doing 6 miles that morning.

It's a really nice place to hike. The boardwalks are great and take you across the lagoon. The worst part of hiking here is the amount of sand on the trails (but that's a common thing for Florida trails in this area). A good portion of the trail is actually just thick sand that's hard to walk through which just adds to the fitness aspect of this hike.

 It also has a nice overlook that has great views of the gulf.

On Thursday morning's I meet some mom friends at the seawall on NAS Pensacola. Most of my mom friends push their little ones, but since mine are in school I just wear my ruck. The seawall is a great little path that follows the water. Round trip it's 2 miles. One Thursday this month is was eerily foggy, and it was awesome! I've never seen fog like that and it made for such an enjoyable morning.

The ship looked so cool out there!

 

 Just such a neat view.

 

 I know my photos just don't do it justice...

 

 The ship docked at the turnaround.

 

With the Destin Ultra coming up I knew I had to get a few rucks on the actual beach in (the ultra takes place entirely in sand). I did most of them at the beach on NAS Pensacola. Here's a shot of my ruck:

 Always little treasures along the way

 I had some pretty great weather for my beach rucks

 

 

Seawall ruck's are enjoyable because of the view. It's just so pretty along the water. It's probably one of my favorite spots in Pensacola.

 

You also never know what you'll see along the seawall. Herons are a common site as are dolphins and pelicans.

At the end of January I met another good friend, who also happens to be a veteran, at the Naval Live Oaks Preserve for a ruck. If you want to learn about what it means to ruck this is your guy! His stories and his motivation will inspire you. It was a beautiful morning for a 3.3 mile ruck.

 Sand for trails...

 A few minor water crossings

 Pretty

 A hidden gem

I really enjoy rucking, but it's definitely a lot more fun when you ruck with friends...especially my friends!