I am a WARRIOR!!!!

GRrrrrr....I made a lot of warrior angry noises today.

For once in my life.... It was appropriate, so I took full advantage.

Today was the WARRIOR DASH!

The weather has been stuck in this gloomy grey fog for days now, but I must say that during the race I was grateful for the cloud cover.

Pre-Race! We look sooo clean!
Also... Check out the chopped off hair!
Spur of the moment decision there.

Clean Shoes!

What makes a great parent?! Showing up! They were always there for Soccer games, now they are always there for my silly races! Nicole's parent's are basically my second parents, check out the awesome signs Kim made!

Getting ready to dash!
You started out with about a mile and a half run. Easy? Well it would be if it weren't through farm land. I almost twisted my ankle five times.
The first obstacle was called the barricade breakdown. You had to climb over a series of walls that were chest high then crawl under barbed wire.
The second was a wooden barricade that was about 20 feet tall. Using a rope. Then climb down the other side.
Then came the junk yard. Climbing over tires and broken down cars.
Then you had to maneuver your way through ricocheting tires.
Possibly the hardest was the teetering traverse... basically a bunch of of 2x4's nailed together to make a balance beam. that is 5 feet off the ground. Easy right? well not when everything is muddy and slick... So scary!
Next was a net you had crawl across
Another scary one was the black out... crawling under a short tent through the mud. Worse than it sounds trust me.
Next up... Deadman's Drop. A wall half the size of the first wall we had to summit... only this time you just have to jump. Well I got to the top, realized what I had to do and did the only thing that would save my poor calves/shins... I tucked and I rolled! After barely making contact with my feet I rolled right into a makeshift summersault.
Next up was not even an official obstacle, but there was about a quarter mile of muddy gooey clay that was slippery and would suck up your shoes if you weren't careful! Took soo much energy to get through!

Remember that one resolution... something about being fearless?
Well I had to conquer sooo many fears during this race!
The biggie was definitely heights.
I don't even like climbing up step ladders.... much less 30 foot high net things!
This was the third to last obstacle and one that spectators could actually see.

Please observe the, "Oh shit what did I get myself into?!" face!
Going up is always easy... its the getting back down that I have issues with! 

Second to last obstacle! The flames are bigger than they look.

The mud pit was a lot harder than it looks! They had random pit holes that you would fall in up to your waist.

I didn't just survive. I conquered!

We all did! Go team!

Just a little bit muddy.

I donated my shoes...

We have some interesting warrior faces.

Something like that!

Excited for the free beer!

Cheers!

Here is the plan stan.

If I thought that I would get a breather after the half marathon I was right. If I thought that it would be a long one... I was wrong.

26 days until the Warrior Dash.

(Oh! I need ideas for costume/outfits for me and my fellow warriors to wear. Any thoughts would be appreciated! The best one I've heard so far was for the mario cart characters... I call Peach!)

That means I need to get into a different kind of shape. I'm not worried about the 5k of running, what I am worried about is the fact that besides my legs my body is in terrible shape! I have ZERO upper body strength! The other day I attempted a pull up and all I could manage was a hang. seriously if I managed to lift my body at all it was a miniscule amount.

So even thought this race is really just about having fun with friends on a ridiculous course (and getting a free beer at the end!) I still want to be able to hold my own. So here is my plan of action to get in a little bit better shape for this race and to jump start my training for the next half marathon I'm planning on doing in September in Bellingham.

Starting Monday:
Run 2-3 times a week
3 Strength training days (probably 2 at the YMCA and one with Jilian Micheals kicking my butt with her 30 day shred and kettle bells exercise)
2-3 days of cross training (elliptical, spin class, yoga.... basically anything that is easy on the calves. I really need to let those babies heal up if I'm going to have any future with running)
1-2 rest days

I'd really really like to keep my running mileage up.... so that means 1-2 short runs and at least 1 run that is over 5 miles ever week. And that is being easy on myself. After the Warrior Dash I'll completely reevaluate the plan and focus on getting my miles much higher.

Another thing I need to focus on is what I'm eating. Towards the end of my training I became a carb junky... I rationalized it by saying I was carb loading... but I don't think I needed to be eating truck loads! If I eat better and get my core stronger I think my next race will feel even better.... oh and maybe I'll be able to walk the day after!

I am finally not terribly sore today! The blister is still epic.... but I think its going to heal itself. As for my left calf muscle. I need to do a ton more work on that baby. I am going to call my PT tomorrow to see if my second referral came through. Hopefully I can get in again. If not I feel like now I at least have some of the tools necessary to heal myself just much slower. Being injured showed me how important it is to listen to you body, take it easy when you need to and to know when to ask for help.

Are you sick of hearing about my running life? Sorry it sort of takes over a lot of my brain function. I have been reading though and will be posting soon! After Saturday I think I'll have more time to
1. read
2. mow my lawn (my landlord will be oh so pleased)
3. take more time to eat healthy meals
4. blog
5. sleep?!
6. devote some time to learning spanish (my class is still going, but I'll be honest I haven't put enough energy in to it to get anything out of it)
7. did I say sleep?

yay! that is what I'm off to do now... sleep!

Warrior Dash.

Today the rain let up a little bit! Thank goodness! I think you can almost see some blue skies reflecting in my coffee! Those blue skies might have inspired me a little bit too much! Today I signed up for this: The Warrior Dash. It is basically a 3.5 mile race with ten intense obstacles along the way! My friend Nicole talked me into it. It is a month after my half marathon. I'm thinking it will keep me motivated after I've reached that goal. I can't wait to think up some fun ideas for costumes! Any ideas?! 

How about a book update since thats why most of you probably click to read about!

Book Update 05: Grow Great Grub by Gayla Trail

This was a birthday present from my gardening-partner-sister-in-law! (You should check out her blog: Sow Mama Sow!) Its all about organic gardening in small spaces. I skimmed most of the veggies, but look forward to using it as a reference as our garden continues to sprout and grow!

Food Diary: Day Three!

Whipped Banana Strawberry Oats!

A Plum with a side of truth!

Lunch!

Dinner @ Work: Banana berry Smoothie
w/ Spinach feta salad and a 1/2 C brown rice!

Apple Snack

Not Pictured: The nibbles I took of
Megan's homemade Mac and Cheese!

I have to finish my day with something sweet!
Annie's Organic peanut butter granola bar.

This picture thing is really keeping my snacking in check. It is also forcing me to add color a lot of color to my food, because I want to have nice pictures!!! 


Today was a tough day with the no eating chocolate thing! Not only did I have to go through my usual cravings, but a lady thanked me today and handed me a Hershey's Kiss and said "Happy early St. Paddy's Day!" I gave it back and explained the lent situation. To be honest I don't eat loosely wrapped candy given to me by strangers anyways, but it just reminded me that I can't have it! There was a time in my life when Hershey's kisses could have been considered my kryptonite, thankfully I did get over that addiction!!  


Lent always reminds me that I DO have self control. Every year I give something up and stick with it! I just think that I MUST have chocolate (or diet coke or ice cream, or beer) to survive. If I put my mind to something I can do it!!!