See Cara Run

This past weekend (July 30/31) marked the first annual Warrior Dash in Michigan. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Warrior Dash it’s a series of races that take part in some of the craziest, muddiest, the most rugged terrain all across the globe.  This was the first year Warrior Dash made it to Michigan, and rumor has it it was the second largest warrior dash… ever! There was about 20,000 runners over the two days of races. 

This was my first race that also included an obstacle course and a mass amount of mud. I have to say, this was also one of the most organized and well laid out races I’ve ever been to. There was never a question as to where I could locate my beer, turkey leg or my packet for pick up. 

Me and Mary Beth decided to take this course easy, she had a 14 mile run planned for the next day and I was (and still am) nursing a sore shin/ankle/leg/whatever. It was nice to take it slow, just do a slow jog (about 10mph) and joke around with the other runners, and take our time on the obstacles. I don’t think I could ever do this race competitively, it was too much fun goofing off and making friends with other runners, and just being awesome in the woods. 

As far as the obstacles were concerned, I found them quite easy. This might be because I’m a ‘tall girl’, or my month long boot camp session at the gym, or the fact that being 17lbs lighter makes things a lot easier! There were a few I was a bit iffy about, there was one with a wall and a rope, and a few boards sticking out that kinda scared me a little. I got to the top and wanted to scream “I want my mommy!”, but I didn’t. Then there was another one that involved a wall similar to a rock climbing wall, and once you got to the top you had to take a rope down. Well, I was covered it slippery mud and that rope wasn’t going to help me… so I just jumped into the big mound of hay and hoped that I wouldn’t break anything. 

After that it was off to the cargo net climb and then to the fire jumping, and finally the mud pit which lead to the finish line! 

Grant was there to be supportive and to take photos of our muddy adventures. I lured him there with the promise of a turkey leg. It was really nice to have him there though, he took some pretty awesome photos.

You want a hug?

Dirty Girls!! 

Check out that bling! 

Overall I would have to say it is one of the funnest races I’ve run to date. That’s saying a lot considering It’s pretty hard for me not to have fun at a race. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, only next time I won’t be nursing a busted leg and I’m activating my beast mode all over those obstacles. 

I’m going to copy Mary Beth and put a short list of random race musings:

• Best costume: A full body Sponge Bob suit decked out with a warrior helmet, beard and kilt. 
• Most foul smell: The non-obstacle mud pit in the middle of the woods. Waist hight black mud that smelled like feces. 
• Best thing overheard: “Let’s play a game called who’s in my mouth”. In the blackout tent
• Number of people I saw nearly naked: Over 9000
• Favorite Obstacle: Barricade Breakdown. Over barricades and under barbed wire. 

I am currently sitting on my best friend’s couch with her amazing Husky keeping my feet warm. I know, you’re totally jealous. However, I’m using this ‘machine’ that runs Windows, using Internet Explorer. It’s like Chinese torture over here. Why didn’t I bring my Macbook on this vacation!!

I seem to have devloped a little cough. Not like a ‘I’m getting sick’ cough, but more like ‘I inhaled too much cold air and my lungs are still cold’ cough. Which is accompanied by a fierce headache.

This weekend was supposed to involve a short run, but it’s currently -3 degrees.  Wow, this computer doesn’t have spell check. Sorry in advance. Anyways, it’s effing cold here. Last night we went tubing at the ski resort down the road. It was a balmy 10 degrees! I bought my first pair of snow pants since elementary school just for last night. It was nice to have all that winter running gear to wear under my snow pants, and my balaclava! Horray for moisture wicking warm clothing to keep me dry.

I’ll be heading home soon, kinda sad to be leaving Grand Rapids, my friend, her amazing dogs and her daughter (my niece).

I have a race in six days, hopefully whatever is causing this crazy cough goes away. I recently registered for the Warrior Dash, happening in July here in Michigan. I’m pretty excited about the race and the training involved! I have a pretty cool costume idea that has to be ironed out before it’s big reveal!

I hope everyone had a safe and warm weekend!