I've mentioned before that my friend Hallie is a budding triathlete. She's really caught the bug, especially on the bike. A few weeks ago we rode 50 miles (her longest ride in mid-July was 24 miles), but it only whetted her desire for more. So, I agreed to ride to Brecksville and back with her from N. Chagrin (a 65 mile ride) yesterday.
She rocked! The course threw some pretty daunting hills at us, but she tackled them like a champ with nary a complaint. This girl is tough! And, apparently, I haven't lost any fitness either.
My neck and back were complaining by the time we topped the last hill 4 hours after we started though. I told her that I hoped she wouldn't up the ante in another few weeks. We then headed out to a local restaurant for some well-deserved pancake, eggs, breakfast meat and starch of choice meal! That's why we do this, right? ; )
Work has been busy plus I've actually been out enjoying the sunshine. I know excuses, excuses. Hopefully, I'll have time for a bigger post later, but for now, I'll leave you with 2 more pictures from DWD (professional photographer captured my struggle through the mudpit) and 1 picture of Jack (no, I wasn't strangling her). Happy Autumnal Equinox!
It's back! Thought I might have dodged the bullet again this year after DWD, but alas not the case. It is just a small case on my legs, but damn it itches! Matt also has it on his one leg. Oh well, at least I know what it is this time.
As always, DWD was a great time! We had only 4 members to our team this year, but we posted our fastest time ever. It helped tremendously that no one got terribly lost like in the past. It also helped that we were all very well trained for the race!
I had 4 legs. The first, Butt Kicker, lived up to its name. After 1.5 miles, I already felt like my butt had been kicked. Notable for this leg were the many downed trees and branches. I was hurdling them like a track star though!
The second leg, Stripper Pole, features an almost vertical climb. After Butt Kicker, it added insult to injury. But, I made it through the 3.7 miles in an okay time.
Next was my muddy leg, Where's the F'N Bridge. I've never really done a muddy leg before. It has been a dry year, but there was still plenty of mud to be found. For the first 3 or so miles, it is a pretty tame trail run. Then, you cross a canal where you have to watch for boat traffic. Then, the real fun begins. The trail gets muddier and muddier until you get to a mud pit where you can't jump in. You have to flop in on your belly and use ropes to pull you across the mudpit. I thought I was going to get stuck there. Then, after you make it out, you have several more muddy areas to cross. I heard from others that there was potential to get chest deep again if you stepped in the wrong place, but it didn't happen to me. My teammates were impressed with my mud when I got to the exchange, but I needed to clean up to be allowed back into the van. I headed to the lake for a quick rinse.
Finally, I did the last leg, Dirt's Revenge. It is a pretty standard trail run, but by then, I was pretty tired. I have to admit that I walked all of the hills. But then you get to the end, see your teammates and get to run in with them. Overall a very fun day! Oh, and my husband had a huge PR at the 50k and was our cheerleader and videographer at the end. Great job Matt!
The only blemish was that we didn't place in the top 5 for the spirit award. We tried to do it up this year. We had matching outfits (we were the Mardi Gras Mudhounds), so had a Mardi Gras theme. We had a male blow-up doll which we made into a tranny by adding a wig, Mardi Gras mask and teddy. Our van was decorated up and we wore crazy hats at the exchanges. I don't think we would have been as disappointed, but the judges actually interviewed and took pictures of us this year. Matt has the good ideas for next year, so hopefully, we will finally prevail.
I leave you with a video Matt put together of the footage we took that day. Enjoy!
It is finally here again. The Mardi Gras Mudhounds are back for more mud, more water and more fun. We've got revamped outfits and are raring to win that spirit prize.
We are down a member, so it will just be 4 of us running the 63 miles. I've got almost 17 on my plate, but I'm ready for the challenge.
I'm married to a wonderful man, who supports me in every way possible. I have great family and friends. I've now completed Ironman Lake Placid, but my adventures are not over!
