TOUGH MUDDER!!!

Wow. Someone should backhand me, because I can't believe I forgot about this very very very important event that I participated in during the 3rd weekend in July.

Yes, the Tough Mudder. Now, I had never heard of this event, until someone asked me about it with a link on Facebook. And I should've never clicked on that link. Wait, I it wasn't the link that did me in, it was the FORWARDING of the link to my Husband. Matt was instantly hooked, ran into the kitchen that evening and said "WE.MUST.DO.THIS!!11!!"

And so, without much fanfare, we were registered a mere 3 days later, and showed up about 5 weeks after registering to the event. Matt and I had NO idea what to expect. In fact, Matt was hyped and so worried about everything that he was driving me absolutely bonkers. He was worried about food, drink, sleep, weather, what he should wear, how he looked. Seriously...he was being a total girl about it. And actually it was definitely endearing and I thought he was very cute, but...still drove me crazy.

We didn't actually run the event until 1:20 and it was a blazing 95 degrees and sunny in Wisconsin that day. Wowza.

Rundown:

1. HILLY, wow. Hills. I love me some hills, up down, up down...but this, THIS was crazy. Apparently the course on Devil's Head was only 2nd most hilly to DENVER, CO. There were points when I just walked, and I don't walk hills, but Matt and I did. And we passed people. On the uphill. Nuts.

2. Water stops: not enough. The first water station was 2 miles in...and then only 3 more during the entire race. They had large jugs with pumps that you filled your tiny cup with. SMRT. Especially given that there were over 12,500 people running that day. BRILLS.

3. Waits: There were very few periods of waiting at obstacles, but the worst was the under-barbedwire-crawly-mud section. Could you tell I didn't know the name? But, it was still fun...

4. Worst Obstacle: Electrocution. People asked before the race if they REALLY electrocuted you. I can answer with 100% certainty. YES, they do. Matt and I were 3 hours in...running up the last micro-hill and turned the corner. Wires, everywhere, hanging down. They scream at you to "RUN!" and you link arms and go...about 2/3 the way through...I remember feeling like I was absolutely just jackhammered in the stomach and down I went. I then remember thinking "WHAT.THE.F*CK was THAT!?" and fight or flight kicked in and I crawled the heck out of there. Apparently the perfect mud outline on my back was very entertaining. Whatever, yeah...whatever.

5. Showers: what showers? There was a clusterfluck of hoses situated and barely functioning so you stood in line and had to shimmy the hose up and down to maintain water pressure. It was pointless, but fun to have people watch while Matt groped me while rinsing the 1.5lbs of mud off my body.

Okay, that is literally the MOST basic rundown I could give.

Bottom line: We are so doing this again next year. Maybe twice even. Once in Minnesota and Wisconsin again.

WHEE!!!

One Picture:

THROW THEM LOGS!

Next Up and Interruption!

So...with an injury lingering I took off the week of June 6-10 and then had ANOTHER race on the 11th, the Flood Run that actually was a super flat/super fast 7 mile run.

I took off during that race and didn't look back. And finished in an astounding 54:47 (WOW!), but unfortunately I continued to aggravate my adductor muscle and left the race limping (again!).

Inside my head I knew this was not just a fluke and was completely bummed. I took off the next two weeks and prepared to just duke it out...I waited 10 days and then participated in another race on July 4th but honestly....I took off most of July from running. I needed that rest. My July 4th race was an 8k followed by another 5+ miles to my parent's house to train. Bad idea, but honestly I needed to get out...feel it out...and clear out the cobwebs. Just in time to shelve it for another 3 weeks. A SOLID 3 weeks.

In those 3 weeks I remembered how much I loved running, how much I had taken it for granted and how many other things I could invest my time in. I took up riding my trail bike and lifted like I never lifted before.

What did it get me?

A fresh outlook on running, a re-discovery of my passion for running. To feel the pounding of the pavement, the pain in my feet and the heat oozing out of my pores.

I can say that I did participate in another race at the end of July, however this was for "fun" as it is a very very very packed race and "racing" is not really an option, unless you're planning on qualifying, which still doesn't guarantee you a great spot.

So here I am....6+ weeks until the Chicago Marathon and I've logged nearly 17 miles this week. Another 16 on Saturday. My leg is holding out, I can still:

a. put on socks
b. lift it up to get into the tub

Those were my two indicators when it was screaming at me during the months of June and July. I've never felt my age until this summer.

The two things that have helped tremendously:

a. stretching (duh!)
b. Epsom Salt baths (yes, I am old!)

I have dedicated myself to stretching about 5-10 minutes each day...I make time for it. I know if I don't...it will be baddd. So?

Oh and you wouldn't BELIEVE how many people don't even KNOW what an Adductor is. Really?

Back up!

Okay, so here goes on my Race Reviews or Review as I'm too lazy to do more than one at a time.

Wow, I can't believe, I have about 5-6 reviews to do here.

What is first? Oh! Dam to Dam in Des Moines.

The course starts at Saylorville Dam outside and ends downtown in Des Moines. It is a nice 20k jaunt with lots of scenery and great crowds. And by great crowds, I mean people looking comfortable on the side of the road while you sweat your a$$ off running.

Usually this race is very very hot. I'm talking 75 at the start with nice hot hot sun beating down on you. Well, this year was no different (unfortunately). I really wanted to PR, but couldn't find it within me to actually push hard enough to break the 1:48 time that I had last year. BUT, last year it was an atypical year with nice cold breezes and a light rain that had started as a downpour earlier in the day.

Luckily by mile 10.5 I ran into a friend that I've known for awhile. She is training for her first Marathon in Chicago this year and we chatted it up. She actually was suffering from a bit of tummy trouble (read: solid or not? farts) so I helped coach her through and we distracted each other and I saw my finish time not be what I desired but hugged my friend, thanked her for her help and was on my way.

UNFORTUNATELY as that day wore on, my leg was bothering me. And by weekend END, I could hardly lift my left leg to put my sock on or get into the shower. It was agony. I thought it was just nothing to worry about, but as the week continued, I realized I was INJURED. *cue dramatic music*

I tried running a mere 3 days later, got about 2 blocks away and turned around. It was a definite no-go.

More later...

How to?

How do you go about getting back into something after a 3+ month hiatus. Hmm. HI-AYYYY-TUSS. I like that word.

Oh what was I saying? Oh yes...how do I branch into normalcy or some sort of normalcy.

In reality, I am a ramble, not Faulkner-esque, but close enough. I don't think about ONE thing, I go from running, to my socks, to my eye itches, to oh I rubbed my mascara off...to....look at my fingernails....ugh.

So what I'm saying is...if you have a tip all 0 readers of you out there...what is it?

Jump in...baptism by fire?

I could review all the races I've done since the HiYayTuss started? I guess that is something. Let's see if I actually get back to that. Heh.