Dirty Dash Mud Race

Today I ran the Dirty Dash Mud Race and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!  I had such a great time.  We had to take the before picture first.

I am nice and clean and ready to race.  So here we go!

The race stated out with almost 2k out in the open fields.  Running up and down some rolling hills.  That took me into the woods.  It was so much cooler in there.  I loved it!  I was moving right along when I saw a group of people stopped.  It was the first river crossing.  There were some logs we had to climb and then wade through the water.  They were making us go single file for safety.  It add about 2 extra minutes onto my time, but that's fine.

It was hard to get started after waiting at each river crossing.  I was going along okay and then I came across my arch enemy....the HILL!!!!!  Not only was it steep, but they were making it muddy and slippery with a sprinkler. Ugh...I had to walk it.  After that hill it was a short bit more on the trails and then back out into the open to hit the mud pit!  Here was what that was like!

I had such a good time!  And then Mike had to get the after picture.

I can't wait to do this next year!

Rattelsnake Point Trail Run: My Very First Trail Race

I'm not gonna lie, it was a tough race for me.  I was fine the first 3K, but when I hit the last hill that went straight up...It was a killer.  I really did enjoy it though.  I love the challenge that it presented me.  I love running on trails.  They are so much easier on my knees then the street.  It's so quiet and so peaceful.  The scenery is beautiful.  Of course I didn't get to see much of it because I was watching the trail, but it was pretty.

I started out okay.  I felt good and my pace was nice and easy.  There were a lot of roots and rocks that I had to watch out for.  I hit the 2k mark and felt good.  I was hot, but still moving.  At 3k I was still doing okay.  A bit slower, but moving.  Then the hill hit.  It was straight up with huge rocks and roots.  I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I wanted to do this.  I ran a few steps and decided that for my safety I had better speed walk up it.  A few times I had to stop and move to the very edge of the trail so the first of the 12k runners could pass me.  That was what killed me.  As long as I was moving I felt good.

I got to the top and had nothing left the last 500 meters.  It was out in the open and it was hot and I just could not get my feet to move any faster.  I was trying though.  I really was trying. 

I was happy with my finish and with my time (39:07).  I didn't think it was too bad for my first trail run.  I would love to do another one.  I did enjoy it.

Here is me at the start.

And as I'm coming into the finish.