Dani Dishes 11-25-13
/On this episode of Dani Dishes, I share my thoughts on hitting my goal of running 1000 miles in 2013!!! Ahhhh! :)
I Said I'd Do What?
/What did I get my big mouth into? Recently I seem to ask myself that question on a now routine basis.
What do I mean?
For me this really relates to my fitness journey. Let's take a look shall we?
August 2012 Feat: I decide I want to run The Boston Marathon in 2013 with a charity team close to my heart: Tedy's Team (which raises $$ and awareness for the fight against Strokes).
Result: I raise over $5,000 for the American Stroke Association, I complete the Boston Marathon in 4:04:08 and my family and I make it safely without being hit by the explosions.
(Note: I will be running the 2014 Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team and I am psyched. You can Donate Here!)
December 2012 Feat: I ponder becoming a certified Spin Instructor, somehow trip over the online sign up site and book a certification class for March 2013.
Result: I nervously drive to Manchester, NH, take an all-day class, take the online test the next day, pass and get my certification!
(Note: I haven't found a way to make this dream a reality yet, but I am still trying!)
March 2013 Feat: I'm surfing Facebook, an ad for the Boston Triathlon (Sprint) catches my eye, I click the link to their website, I continue to click through, my credit card shows up in my hand and I register for my first triathlon for August 2013.
Result: On August 4, 2013, I load up my gear and my spectators, meet friends at the event, step wwwaaayyy out of my comfort zone and enjoy every step of the ride while completing my first Sprint triathlon in 1:24:58.6.
April 2013 Feat: After running the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January 2013, I knew I had wanted to tackle the Goofy Challenge (Half Marathon followed next day by Full Marathon) for its 10th anniversary in 2015. But then a new challenge caught my eye ... the Dopey Challenge. The Dopey Challenge is 4 races in 4 days totaling 48.6 miles (5k, 10k, Half Marathon & Full Marathon). Again my credit card showed up in my hand and I was registered.
Result: Time will tell as this comes to light January 9-12, 2014!!
***
So what else did I say I would do?
Oohhh this next fitness feat started in June 2013 while I was attending Fitbloggin in Portland, Oregon. During a session entitled "Stop Keeping up with the Joneses," we were asked to introduce ourselves.
What I’d love to do as a way to get started, is to have everyone introduce yourself. We’re not a huge group, so just your name and your blog. I’d like you guys to say one weight loss or fitness goal that you’ve seen someone else do that you really wish you could do.
And in that room with my dear friend Sue (aka MrsFatAss) next to me I uttered:
Dani, Weight Off My Shoulders: There’s so many! I’d like to do a half ironman.
Yes thanks to live blogging at the session there is documented proof of what I said. :P
Once the session was over, I turned to Sue and said: "Why did I say that? Now I actually have to do it." Fear. Immediate fear.
But also something deep down in my heart was excited at the possibility. I, Dani, the ex-230 lb wallflower could possibly tackle a Half Ironman.
Now at this time, I hadn't even done one triathlon let alone thinking about a Half Ironman, which is 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.2 mile run ... all in a row!
The seed has been planted.
Once the first sprint triathlon was completed, the water was planted on the seed.
After the second sprint triathlon where I somehow placed 3rd in my division, the plant started to grow!
While vying for another Got Chocolate Milk Team Refuel sponsorship, I said how I would use the $500 prize to sign up for my first Half Ironman.
Which brings us to the present - October 2013.
I had a friend as well as one of my Weight Watchers members take part in the Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival in September 2013. The Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival is a Sprint Triathlon on the Saturday and a Half Ironman on the Sunday. Some people even take part in both. Say whhaaa?? I know.
They did nothing, but RAVE about the race, the swag, the organization and the scenery. It takes place in Southern Maine in the Fall. Hello? How could that not be beautiful.
On a whim, I reached out to the Pumpkinman social media team about partnering up for my first Half Ironman ...
... and they were all for it! YAY!!
So on Halloween, October 31, I officially registered for the Pumpkinman Half Ironman on September 7, 2014!! Ahhhh!
No going back now, right?
Right.
Especially since I have my official Got Chocolate Milk Team Refuel tri-kit to rock.
So now it is out there, official and will be my sole focus after finishing the 2014 Boston Marathon. Thankfully I now have a great triathlon training book recommended to me by NYCRunningMama so I will be starting to get a good base during the winter months.
It's never to early to start training, right?
***
Do you ever get yourself into a crazy commitment by opening your mouth? ;)
Dani Dishes 10-21-13
/On this episode of Dani Dishes, I'm sick!! Reason I missed the blog last week and how I'm coping. Plus, people finally receive their virtual birthday 5k medals!! :)
The Dani Ryan Holmes-Kirk 2nd Annual 30th Birthday (Virtual) 5k Run-Walk Ramble
/It's here!!!!! That's right folks. My 31st birthday is on Monday, September 16 - which means only one thing!
It's time for:
The Dani Ryan Holmes-Kirk 2nd Annual 30th Birthday (Virtual) 5k Run-Walk Ramble
Yup, folks had so much fun participating in the event last year that I had to bring it back again! Plus, it was my most successful fundraising tool as well.
So let's break it on down here for anyone that wasn't around for it last year or needs a refresher.
Last year I wanted to ring in my 30th year of life in a new and different way since I was entering a new decade with a healthy weight, an obsession with running and a free Sunday morning.
As a result the Birthday 5k was born. You can catch up on all the fun here.
I will pause again as you read the lovely recap from last year's event that took place both in person at my house and virtually around the world.
What is taking place this year you ask?
Well, the entire 5k will be done virtually since I will be out of town during my actual birthday weekend. Again this means anywhere on the Globe. Last year we had participants in the US, Canada and England.
Here are the details.
A virtual run-walk means you do the 5k (3.1 mile) "race" at your leisure during September 16 and September 22. Map out your own route, get your own friends together or jump on the old trusty treadmill. Your call.
I will provide race bibs for you to print out and fix to your shirt (if you want) by the end of the week.
EVERYONE that completes the "race" will receive a Finisher's Medal in the mail from me. YAY! How cool is that? I know one of my favorite parts.
Also, everyone will be entered to receive some pretty sweet raffle prizes that I have available as well. More on that later.
But you may be asking: "Dani How much will this fun cost me?" or "What is my entry fee going to?"
Well, each participant will be making a $25 donation. The proceeds raised will be going towards my $5,000 fundraising goal to represent Tedy's Team in the 2014 Boston Marathon. That's right folks! I'm going back for more.
For those that don't know, I ran the Boston Marathon last year with Tedy's Team.
Tedy asked the American Stroke Association to work with him to create “Tedy’s Team,” a group of runners raising money for the American Stroke Association and training to complete the Boston Marathon® and the Falmouth Road Race. Their participation supports Tedy Bruschi’s fight against stroke and honors both the survivors and the loved ones lost to America’s No. 4 leading cause of death.
In addition to the dollars being raised, an equally important issue for Tedy’s Team is the increase in awareness of stroke and recognition of its warning signs. Tedy’s Team is striving to reach as many people as possible in its message of recognizing the warning signs and acting appropriate when seeing them — calling 9-1-1 immediately.
I ran in honor of my Stroke Heroes, my grandparents, and will be doing so again this year. Unfortunately last year, my grampa passed away during the training. But, I feel as if he was looking down on me on April 15, 2013 and he helped me cross that Finish line at the right time.
***
If you would like to take part in the run or walk:
1) Please register here. (Thank you Racemenu for help with the site) --- Make sure you are providing an accurate mailing address because that is where I will send the medal.
2) You can complete the 3.1 mile-run walk whenever you like from September 16-September 22.
3) Once you complete the race please send me a photo of yourself and your time - dani@weightoffmyshoulders.com
4) HAVE FUN!!
***
Finisher's Medal
***
Download Your Race Bib Here!
***
If you would like to make a donation to my fundraising goal and do NOT wish to participate in the run-walk (which is absolutely okay), please visit my fundraising page here.
Dani Dishes 9-16-13
/On this episode of Dani Dishes, it is time for a little birthday recap, a little RnR Philadelphia celebration and letting you know there is still time to take part in my virtual birthday 5k for Tedy's Team!! :) Blog About Event
Dani Dishes 9-9-13
/On this episode of Dani Dishes, I share about an "off" week, the Women's Triathlon and my upcoming virtual Birthday 5k!! Blog About Event
Three Things Thursday
/Most of the time my mind wanders from topic to topic and problem to problem and I don't see making an entire blog post about it so I kind of like having the option of doing a little this and that type post. So a Three Things Thursday or a Friday Favorites works for me. PLUS I love alliteration. ;) I am just a dork like that. ***
1) Someone asked me yesterday why I race so much. Well I think the obvious answer would be that I like it. ;) I have grown to love pinning the race bib on my shirt or pant leg, getting in the mix with everyone pre race and just going out there and having fun. I soak up every moment from the start to the finish. Plus, I love a good t-shirt, medal or pint glass.
But really and truly, it keeps me moving. I noticed this summer when I didn't have a big race on the horizon that my training suffered. I took a big break from racing/long distance races from mid May to beginning of August. Apparently I don't work well without a training plan. I think I knew that beforehand. I need someone to just tell me what to do. I think it's why I thrive with training plans. I do not follow them to the letter because you need to adjust due to injuries, life, etc but I love the framework it gives me.
And hey I ended up with 129 miles run in August after capping out at about 80 in each of the previous three months. Thanks Dopey Challenge training plan.
Now racing is expensive so I have been very lucky this year to be offered some complimentary race entries as well as sponsored race entries (thanks Team Refuel) which has helped me race more than I normally would. I am very fortunate in that regards.
Either way - I think I need to continue to have races on the horizon to keep myself moving, focused and at a healthy weight.
***
2) I can't wait to get back to Weight Watchers as a meeting member. I miss just weighing in, picking up my weekly, sitting myself in the back row and being inspired. YES I am continuously inspired while leading WW meetings, but it is a whole different game than sitting in the lime green seat as a member.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED going to my weekly WW meetings. I hated when I was on the road and missed one. So you can imagine what it has been like for me since moving to Boston and not attending really any meetings. It hurts. I feel disconnected. I feel like I lose a piece of me.
I've attempted to attend meetings, but I have either been outed as a WW Leader by the person leading the meeting/someone in the room or have had to work the meeting because someone got sick or was running late. I just need to bear down and make the effort to attend a meeting where either 1) no one knows me or 2) I trust the leader to just let me sit there and be a WW member.
I lead anywhere from 11-15 meetings a week and sometimes I just want to take the WW Leader hat off and just be...
***
3) I think I am going to once again host a 5k - virtual option only - for my birthday this year! Last year I had The 1st Annual 30th Birthday 5k Run-Walk Ramble and it was a HUGE success. I had a blast (it was in person and virtual) and I raised $1,000 to put towards my fundraising goal ($5k) for Tedy's Team and the Boston Marathon.
So I am mulling around with the idea of doing it again - The 2nd Annual 30th Birthday 5k Run-Walk Ramble - where people will sign up online and run-walk a 5k wherever they are September 16-22. You will have a race bib you can print off the computer, you will be entered to win raffle prizes AND you will get a Finisher's Medal ... PLUS your payment will go to my $5k fundraising goal to run The Boston Marathon in 2014 once again with Tedy's Team (raising awareness/money for American Stroke Association).
Would you want to participate? Would $25 be too much for a chance at raffle prize (Heart Rate Monitor, Headphones, Pedometer), a Finisher's Medal AND a donation to charity? Let me know as details are still being worked out! :)
My Latest Tattoo!
/Tattoos - to me - tell a story. Every tattoo I have means something different to me and has its own back story. Now many people say they ended up with their tattoo after a night of drinking with friends or on a dare. That's Not Me! A ton of thought went into each thing I put on my body.
Hello! These things last forever.
Or until you have thousands of dollars to get them removed. :P
I promise there will be a whole different post explaining the meaning behind these 5 tattoos, but today is all about #6.
Since early 2013, I knew I wanted to get another tattoo on my left foot. I needed my tattoos to be symmetric. What can I say? :P
I had a general idea of what I wanted, but told myself I would get it following the Boston Marathon. I knew the tattoo would pay homage to my fitness/weight-loss journey to date.
But what exactly to do was eluding me. I had a few ideas, but not a concrete plan.
With the events of the Boston Marathon, the tattoo idea kind of went by the wayside. But, once the triathlon became my main focus, I knew the tattoo would have to happen soon after that.
A triathlon had never been on my radar so completing that would take my fitness journey to a new level.
The week after the tri (which was August 4) the design came to me. I knew exactly what I wanted on my left foot. I turned to the best designer I know - my wife - to get the idea from my mind to paper.
She didn't disappoint. She showed me what she came up with and it was SPOT ON! :)
Once I had the design, which I kept a secret, I had to find the right tattoo parlor to go to.
I reached out to 3 or 4 shops before I found the one.
Empire Tattoo in Somerville, MA - just a mile or so from my house.
Photo Courtesy Empire Tattoo
I actually found them when they liked a picture of mine on Instagram - thanks Social Media!!
After emailing back and forth, I went in for a consultation with tattoo artists Amanda Abbott on Sunday (August 11) and knew immediately that this was the right studio and artist.
Amanda actually shed over 70 pounds herself recently ... Hello instant connection!!
We showed her the design and she was on board. We made an appointment for just over 48 hours later - Tuesday (August 13) at 3pm.
I was PSYCHED. I would've done it right then and there if she had had time. :P
On Monday (August 12), I made sure to get a nice fresh pedicure. I mean I was really doing it for Amanda. No one should have to endure staring at "runner feet."
Did I convince you all that the pedicure was a necessity? Good!
Before I knew it, it was Tuesday and I was walking through the door of Empire Tattoo. The shop is clean and each tattoo artist has their own little booth (with a door) to work in. I liked not being so out in the open like some tattoo parlors set-up.
I was calm, cool and collected which let me know this was exactly what I should be doing.
Amanda was a true professional and made the whole process painless.
Her booth was really warm and inviting with walls covered in artwork she did herself. There were some truly gorgeous pieces. The tattoo only took about 45-50 minutes to do and we chatted the whole time.
So are you ready to see the finished product?
IT'S PERFECT!!!!
Now you probably want to know I came up with it?
I used to watch The Biggest Loser religiously back in the day and there was a specific episode where Bob Harper told a contestant to "Stand Up And Finish What You Started." Ohhh boy did that stick with me.
So when I started my weight loss and running journey, I used that statement over and over again. It really became my mantra. I even added it to my GoSportID bracelet as a reminder.
I knew that I needed "Finish What You Started" as the centerpiece of the tattoo.
I owe huge props to a blog reader that actually noticed that the font for it is actually the same as the blog header font. I'm sorry to admit I didn't pick up on that. My wife is one clever lady isn't she? ;)
I think the top of the tattoo is pretty obvious - they represent the half marathons (13.1), triathlon (swim, bike, run) and marathons (26.2) I have conquered ... and will continue to conquer thanks to the changes I have made over the past 4+ years. :)
And finally the date - 4-15-13 - a date that will forever be engrained in my mind. For those that don't know it is the date of this year's Boston Marathon. I was lucky to cross the Finish Line that day just 1 minute before the bombs went off so I was able to Finish What I Started that day. Yet so many of my friends were not.
Oh! And to answer the biggest question - it really didn't hurt. The only spot that really hurt would be the little biker and runner dudes right on the top of my foot. The rest of the tattoo just felt kind of annoying rather than painful. Does that make sense?
There it is. My 6th and probably most meaningful tattoo I have.
And now I am symmetrical - 2 wrists, 2 ankles and 2 feet. ;)
So if you are in the Boston-Somerville-Cambridge area, I cannot recommend Empire Tattoo - and Amanda Abbott in particular - enough if you are looking to get some ink done yourself.
Tell 'em I sent ya!
***
Do you have any tattoos of your own? Does it hold a special place in your heart?
The Words Of Tedy Bruschi Stuck...
/Words can strike you at any time. Occasionally a person will say something and it means nothing in the exact moment, but days or weeks later the words come flooding back with full force and meaning.
Well, that happened to me today.
During my brief 2-mile run Monday afternoon, Tedy Bruschi popped into my head.
(Note: Tedy was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Monday night! YAY! Go Tedy!)
During one of the few times I was in the presence of Tedy during the Boston Marathon events with Tedy's Team, Tedy made a great speech.
He went on to talk about how the Boston Marathon itself was our party. That everything leading up to the Start Line was the work. We put in the blood, sweat and tears to make it to the Start Line.
So all that is left is to enjoy it - to soak up every moment of the run and PARTY!!
It meant something the moment he said it - so much that I started crying - but it truly didn't click until yesterday.
As I fret and worry about the upcoming Sprint Triathlon on Sunday and the Dopey Challenge in January, I need to let go of all of that when I hit the Start Line.
And it's freakin' spot on! I mean seriously ... and in all parts of life not just fitness-wise!
There have been races in the past where I can't tell you what the course was like or the spectators. Why? Because I was too focused on time to take in the experience.
Now as I push myself to new limits it's time to stop and smell the roses. During races it's time to ENJOY what I've spent so much time prepping for.
The hours of training are done and all that's left is the fun part - the event itself.
Which brings us to Sunday aka my first Sprint Triathlon.
I've been freaking out about it for awhile now. Why? Not so sure. I know I can do all of the elements and have been working on doing them in a row with minimal rest (aka BRICK workout).
But I think it is the unknown that really gets me. I don't know what to expect in a triathlon because I've never done one.
Well, that is the EXACT reason to "take it all in" on Sunday!
You only have one first triathlon, right?
Well, I won't have any rockin' music during the race or party favors, but I will have Tedy's words reminding me to PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999!!
(Okay, I paraphrased that last part!)
***
Do you agree with Tedy's thought process? Is your race your party?
I caused a Ruckus - Ruckus Boston Baby!
/Has anyone seen my mind? I think I lost it after signing up for another obstacle course race. No? No one has it?
Yeah, apparently I didn't lose it ... I am just living a new "normal."
Last week, I was chatting with the social media crew from Ruckus Sports - an organization that puts on a race series in nine or 10 different cities in the US.
Simply put on their website:
The Ruckus obstacle race series combines best in class obstacles, unparalleled spectation, a wildly popular kids course, and an after party for all. The result? The most fun, rewarding, and family friendly event anywhere. Ruckus is challenging enough for the elite, yet achievable for all.
So I was tweeting with @ruckussports and next thing I know, I have a complimentary entry into the June 15 9am wave of the Ruckus Boston event. (Note: thoughts on the race are 100% my own!)
What?
How does this happen?
Okay, I know how it happens. I keep seeking out new ways to push the limits of my comfort zone ... and an obstacle course run fits the bill.
On Saturday, June 15, my #1 spectator (the wife) and I woke up at 6am and got our butts in gear to head to the race in Marshfield, Mass, which is about 45 minutes away from our house.
We had to be out the door by 6:45 in order to hit up Dunkin' Donuts before embarking on the trek to Marshfield. We parked ($10 per car) at 7:45, which allowed plenty of time to get squared away before the Start.
The registration area was nicely laid out with bib #s posted for those that couldn't remember theirs (like myself), a table with waiver forms for those who forgot theirs at home (again like me) and plenty of volunteers distributing bibs. While I picked up my bib and my wristband for my complimentary post-race beer, the wife hit up Spectator registration and paid the $10 to be able to watch me run the course.
Ruckus Sports wrote on their website:
This year’s course was built specifically with spectators in mind, and as a result, much of the course is visible to spectators. Spectator passes can be purchased on-site for $10 (cash only). Children under the age of 10, and registered participants do not need to purchase a spectator pass.
How cool was the entrance?
This entrance actually doubled as part of an obstacle so those entering the field for later waves actually walked under the racers. Cool!
We walked past the "expo" area where companies were set up with samples, etc.
But, I was too wrapped up in my own nerves to stop at any of the tables.
Just after walking past the sponsors, I noticed that the 8am wave was kicking off.
Okay then, less than an hour til GAME TIME!
This large contraption was the final obstacle ... a large inflatable slide!
Yes!! I knew this would be my favorite part. :P
Before I knew it it was 8:45 and time to head to the Start area. Eek! I was more nervous for this race than the 3 marathons I've done.
Why?
Because I am still working on my upper body strength so obstacles scare me.
BUT, as I stood in the Start Area, I was turning my nerves into fuel!
I just kept telling myself: "I am stronger than I think I am!!" And this race was going to prove it.
Each wave went off at the top of the hour and was broken into 5 mini waves: Wicked Fast, Pretty Fast, Solid Fast, Kinda Fast and No-So Fast. I put myself into the second group - Pretty Fast - since I had no idea what to expect ... and I really wasn't going for time, but to just complete the course.
At 9 on the dot, the Wicked Fast group was off and after a couple minutes - it was our turn.
GAME TIME BABY!
Since there were obstacles and mud involved, I left the Garmin at home. I felt naked, but it's too expensive to ruin so this run was not going to be at all about pace or time.
I just pulled up my Superman socks and let loose. Since I am training for a Sprint Tri and marathon, I knew I would be taking each obstacle very carefully as to avoid injury.
We ran for what felt like a minute before we hit the first obstacle. Thankfully each station had volunteers on hand to help people complete it.
(Note: that was the biggest thing I overheard from veteran participants, this race is about everyone completing the obstacles and having fun so people help each other out!)
Thank goodness those volunteers were there. They offered a leg up or an arm up whenever needed ... and there were a couple spots they came in super handy for me.
Once I successfully made it through the first obstacle, which included hopping up on a hay bale, then onto the large container like at the entrance, then back onto another hay bale then on to the ground ... I knew I was feeling stronger and was ready for the challenge.
(At the end of the post, there will be a video including some action shots of me completing a few obstacles!)
The course was 4 miles long and included some trail running in between the obstacles. Thankfully they spray painted the rocks and branches to help avoid some injuries.
I nearly lost myself in the Tirefield since apparently I couldn't hear the volunteers who kept yelling "Stay of the small tires they collapse easier." Ummm yeah - helpful note to adhere to for future Tirefields I encounter.
During a section called "Barricade Boulevard," where you climb over barricade walls at varying heights, there was a family sitting out on their lawn, cheering on the runners and blasting music. It was great to get some cheers on an otherwise isolated stretch of the course.
Now, I have a small fear of heights so all large walls scare me, but I went into the Gr8 Walls of Ruckus full force - pulling myself up using the rope offered and the pegs for stability. But, unlike when I ran the Warrior Dash in 2012, I felt like I was strong enough to get myself over. My upper body wasn't trembling having to hoist my body up the wall on this tiny rope.
SUCCESS!
Special thanks to Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred for making that possible. :P
Now there wasn't a single mile marker along the course, which was kind of disturbing. I like to have some idea of how much longer I have to go.
Plus, it felt like we had been out there for an hour and had no perspective on what was really going on since we were out of earshot of the Finish Line MC for most the middle leg of the race.
Finally, we emerged from another section of trail running, and 2 nice high school girls kindly shouted that we were over half way done. The gentleman next to me loudly yelled: "Really? That's it." Where as I shouted, "Oh man, already?"
Sooo we can see who was having some fun and who wasn't. ;)
Right after seeing those girls we hit the Mud Garden, which included 4 mud hills leading to 3 mud pits. Yeah! The rule was you had to go feet first into all mud pits for safety and if you didn't you were pulled from the course.
I definitely know why they enforced this rule as I slid into the first mud pit from the first mud hill and immediately felt a large boulder under my butt.
Safety first friends!
This was about the time I started worrying I would lose a Superman cape or two, but thankfully they made it through the mud garden in tact.
Once sufficiently covered in mud, it was back to a little trail running before emerging back on the original field/area we started on. I even spotted the wife as I emerged from the woods. YAY!
To make the 4-mile length, we actually ran through the large containers we jumped over during obstacle 1. Obstacle 1 also seemed like it had happened about 3 hours ago or 15 minutes ... again no watch I had no concept of time. :)
As I cleared the balance beam (thankfully there was an inflatable safety mat underneath) and twisted fences, I knew I was in the home stretch.
We twisted and turned through the Marshfield Fair grounds (which is really just a big open space that they made twisty and turny) and headed towards the Nose Bleed Nets you could hear the announcer shouting out Finisher names and times.
Once I made it to the top of the Nose Bleed Net, I heard him exclaim "And 15-year old" so-so finishes in blah blah blah. And since I have no filter I yelled "You've gotta be f*ckin' kidding me! 15 year old." Thankfully the gentleman next to me felt the blow to the ego like I did and we hustled our butts back down the cargo.
Thankfully, I had talked to someone that ran the course before and their big advice on the horizontal cargo net...
... was to roll across it rather than trying to walk/crawl across. So that's what I did. Well, as best I could. The people behind me knew the same trick so we all tried to do it, but apparently the people in front of us didn't get the memo so it led to us getting trapped in the middle of the net.
Sooo before the people in front of us could get on the next cargo, we just kept screaming: "ROOOOLLLL!!! It will hurt, but you will get across faster."
Finally, it was time to tackle the final 3 obstacles:
1) 3 large walls that lacked any sort of rope or footing help. You basically had to run up it, grab on to the top and pull yourself over.
Well that wasn't happening for me. Thankfully there was a volunteer at the top of Wall 1, who would grab your hand as you ran up the wall to help you grab the top - SUCCESS! On Wall 2, I asked a fellow runner if he would stop at the top so I could grab his hand - SUCCESS! Then Wall 3 (pictured above) had a LARGE mud puddle in front of it, which was throwing off my running start. So a volunteer suggested I run from the side (where guy is standing on the left). Same gentleman waited at the top for me to help. After 3 failed attempts, I told the guy to go on and I dejectedly walked around Wall 3. It was the only obstacle on the day I failed to complete.
2) mud pit - who doesn't love climbing through mud on rocks. I don't know how people were doing that part in shorts. I could feel my knees bruising through my pants and couldn't imagine having shorts on.
3) The climb to the Inflatable slide ...
... and then the glorious free fall!!
Here is a short video of me in action:
[embedplusvideo height="281" width="450" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/W5bKNFW70Is?fs=1" vars="ytid=W5bKNFW70Is&width=450&height=281&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=" id="ep2712" /]
I DID IT!! I caused a RUCKUS! :)
I was beaming besides a slight pain in my ankle after I awkwardly landed on it during the final wall obstacle.
What a rush of excitement, pride, strength and overall awesomeness!
Instead of medals, they gave out sweet pint glasses...
... but you know I would've rather a medal! Maybe next year? ;)
We headed to the wash station so I could hose myself off after changing in the Women's Changing Tent and heading home.
But before we left, we donated my shoes to Barrel Aid.
Ruckus Sports is excited to partner with Barrel Aid to provide shoes to children and teens in need. Barrel Aid will collect your muddy shoes post-event, clean them and ship them to Mission-Haiti’s schools in the mountains around Ti-Rivier, Haiti with all of the remaining shoes going to children and teens in need in the Dakota area. Barrel Aid supplies clean shoes, fresh water, food, schooling and hope for over 1,600 children in Southern Haiti where no other groups are serving and the need is extremely urgent.
I decided to skip the post-race beer (sorry I think it was Coors Light) and head out.
The grounds were bumping with people partying/celebrating their run being over and people arriving for the later waves.
Racewire did the timing and before we left the parking lot I had a text with my official time.
Sweet!
Racewire used live results so you could refresh the website to see the results change as the heats went on. I was pretty darn impressed with my numbers.
Excuse me I ended up in top 4.4% of my age - say wha???
Overall, Ruckus Boston was an amazing experience. Once I started, the nerves went away. The field was truly made up of all ages, sizes and athletic abilities. It was amazing to see so many teams of friends coming out to get active together. Plus, people's costumes were phenomenal.
If I do this race next year, I will be sure to have a team full of friends with me ... with some badass costumes of course! :)
***
Have you done an obstacle course race before? Did you compete alone or with a team?
