Muckfest recap

On Saturday a group of coworkers and I participated in the muckfest Detroit obstacle race. It was awesome! I had done a muddy buddy three years ago, but came in second to last place so I had a bitter taste in my mouth for obstacle course races.
The event was held on Belle Isle in Detroit and had several different waves. Our wave started at 10, and we were instructed to get there at 8:30. A coworker and I carpooled and got there right at 8:30. We got through registration without a hitch since we had pre-registered. We got our bibs and chips and met up with the rest of our team. The entrance to the post party area had a muddy area for kids, the start and finish lines, a few obstacles, a beer tent, showers, and port-a-potties. There was a great dj who was pretty funny, I don't remember any of his jokes, but I will say in general I have a low tolerance for cheesiness and he was not cheesy. The 9:00 wave was for "competitive" athletes. We watched them take off and the group was small. We waited around for our start time but I never got bored. Between dropping off things at the car, taking pictures, and using the bathroom that hour went by fast.
At 10 we all got in line and were ready to start things off. They warned us that the first obstacle had mud that was deeper than it looked and I was glad for the warning. My friend and I decided we would stick together and separated from the group right away.  She's training for the same half as I am using my training plan. There was a big traffic jam at the first obstacle, which was three deep mud pits but after that we got into a groove. We ran the whole course so we avoided a lot of people. I don't remember all if the obstacles so I won't really get into the nitty gritty.
The course was beautiful. I had never been to Belle Isle but I will go back. The majority of the course was a grass path and it was a little hairy at times, and I had concern for my ankles. However, it was a nice change from running on concrete.  The obstacles were challenging but not impossible and appropriate for all fitness levels. I have an insane fear of heights so there were a few rough moments but there were supportive people all over so I got over being a diva. There was water and I think there was just the right amount of aide stations. There was one obstacle where you got into chest deep water and went over and under logs. I got mud in my mouth and we had just got done with a water stop. It would have been better if the two were reversed. The stops were nicely spread out and it was good to stop and catch my breath.  My favorite obstacle was probably "walking on water" and least favorite was anything with the rope ladder and heights.
We finished in 1:18:54, which was 150/960. Much better than my last showing. They had a shower area with hoses to get cleaned off and a changing tent. We got a drink ticket for 2 beers each and a food ticket which was a sandwich, chips, and cookie. The food and beer were perfect. Andy and Sydney came to cheer us on and bring me shoes.8 (I realized in the parking lot at 8:30 that I only had Andy's softball cleats as a second pair of shoes)  Andy bought a beer and it was reasonably priced.


I would definitely do this race again and/or recommend it. We had all fitness levels in our group and everyone had a blast. They are all talking about training for next year, and I said I would start an afterwork running club.

It's also important to note that muckfest is a fundraising event for multiple sclerosis. There were several people there that are living with ms and they were very inspirational. It's a horrible disease that I hope they find a cure for soon.

Recap of the last two weeks of training:

21	22	23	24	25	26	27
3		4		4	off	6

28	29	30	31
3		5
1	2	3
	7	5

All were right on track!! Yeah!!

Bad: I donated blood on the 31st and my run on the 2nd was not pretty.  I texted my husband after 2 miles and told him I was changing my route and cutting it short.  I ran almost 5 miles and was almost home so I decided to do the 7 as originally planned.
Ugly: My knees after Muckfest... totally shredded.   
Good: Doing Yoga for the first time... I love it! (went back again tonight!) 
Awesome: We had a dunk tank at work (my husband and I work together) and I got my husband 4 out of 5 times.  To say "I hope you forgive me" I ran to the pastry shop on my 7 miler and bought him a black & white cookie.  He accepted my apology.

trying something new

I am not a natural athlete and I have no rhythm.  Somehow, when I was a kid I ended up taking jazz for 6 or 7 years.  I am sure I was horrible.  I never learned the dancers and would just watch the other girls in the class, even in a recital.  I die at the memory.  I played softball for several years as well, and I was okay, but I wouldn’t practice so I never got better.  This was hard as I lived in a town that has an amazing community baseball and softball program. It seemed like most girls my age always played on a travelling softball team, and I was not.  Don’t worry though; I played basketball in junior high.   I was on the “B” team, and I don’t think I scored once.  I went to basketball camp, but outside of that, I never once practiced.  Our freshman team was an “everyone can play” kind of team, but my coach pulled me aside and told me I would never play.  I decided I was going to stay on the team, and I did play, but not very often and I only scored once- a three pointer! I was very diligent at sucking when I was growing up.  Somewhere along the way I missed the lesson of start practicing so you aren’t bad anymore.  I just started quitting when the going got tough.  I started working out about 300 times in college, but never for more than a day or two because it wasn’t easy. 

After committing to a healthier lifestyle, I have gone back to my old ways of trying things and doing them especially when I am not good at them.  And yes, I have learned that practice does make perfect.  Here is what I have tried and liked:

·         Lifting weights- This is my favorite way to cross train.  I love getting stronger every week and toning my muscles.  I feel like when I start to slack in weight training, I start to get more injury prone.

·         Running- I love running.  I will spend a whole post on why.

·         Yoga – This is what inspired this post.  I bought a groupon for yoga a month ago and have been dragging my feet with the standard excuses- I don’t know what I’m doing, everyone will laugh at me, what if I fart in class.  My girlfriend and I went and LOVED it.  It was a slow flow class. I left feeling stretched and sweaty- great combo.  I didn’t know what I was doing and it was ok.  I will definitely go back so that I learn what I am doing!  No one laughed at me and I didn’t fart.

·         Biking- I have always loved bike riding, but haven’t done it since I was pregnant.  I miss it and will be making some attempts to get back in the saddle. 

·         Racing of all kinds- competition, sign me up.  It’s a great way to check up on your stats.  I’m doing a “mud race” this weekend with people from work.  I am very excited. 

Here is what I have tried and didn’t like:

·         Elliptical- seriously, I HATE the elliptical.  I am ok with never being good at ellipticalling.

The moral of the story is to try, try, try, try again, months later after buying fancy running shoes and a garmin you will be good.  Also, I’m pretty sure it’s ok if you fart doing yoga.

Mo mo motivation

I’ve had a few workshops at work lately that got me thinking about motivation.  It’s no shock that maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle requires a lot of motivation, both external and internal.

A few years ago, I was about 25 lbs overweight, was very inactive, and in the process of quitting smoking.  My friend at work wanted to quit smoking, so we made a pact to quit together.  She didn’t want to be a 30 year old smoker, and I knew we were going to be planning for a family eventually so I wanted to quit before I got pregnant.  I asked her not to tell me if she slipped up because I knew if she slipped, it would open the door for me to do so as well.  At this same time, a different friend asked me to join a gym with her.   I had been thinking about joining a gym, but I was nervous about starting to work out.  I really dread being the new guy at something, and I didn't really have a clue about the gym, beyond running on a treadmill or riding a bike.  We signed up together, and started slowly adding to our "can-do" list.  We would go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week together.

I have not had a single puff from a cigarette since the day I quit.  My friend is still on her quitting journey, but she did stick to our pact, and didn't tell me when she slipped up.  By the time I had found out about her going back to the habit (sister act 2?), I was already past the point of no return.  I knew how hard quitting was, and knew I never wanted to go through the first week (let’s be honest, 3 months) again.  After a few weeks at the gym with my friend, I felt comfortable enough to go by myself and set up my own routine.  We ended up working with a trainer, and I was in the best shape of my life when I got pregnant.  I maintained my fitness level to the best of my ability while knocked up, and hit the gym and the open road as soon as I felt like I physically was able to.  

In both cases, I needed external motivation to get me to the right spot, but once I have the drive I am very internally motivated.  I like my friend to go to the gym with me (obviously- it's nice to get out of the house with a girlfriend and work out at the same time!) but I will go without her if she can't make it.  Which leads me to ask myself- what is keeping me going when I don't want to or it's hard to make it fit into my life?  I love the feeling of pushing myself, whether it's an extra mile or pressing an extra 15 lbs.  Even on the days when I am having a craptastic workout or run, I know I am still doing something and getting off of the couch.  The fact that I was in my best shape before I got pregnant let's me know what I am capable of when I put my mind and body to it.  

Week 2  of Half Marathon Training
Scheduled in black, actual in red

14	15	16	17	18	19	20
3 (5)	3 (3)		4 (3)		off	5 (5)

Bad: Saturday's run was ugly.  I had to take a couple walk breaks, but I got it done.  I realized how important speedwork is going to be for a sub 2 hour half.  
Ugly: Wednesday AM run was 80 degrees at 5:30 AM-- ummm we live in Metro Detroit.  It was also garbage day.  
Good: I increased my mileage a little bit more than I was planning on, but without IT band pain!! Also, we started "New Rules of Weightlifting for Women" I'm pretty sure that's the title, it's long. Expect some ripped pictures soon.
Awesome: Week 2 done! I survived running during our heat wave.  Non-running related, we had Sydney's first birthday party and it was so great to have our family over and celebrate our little girl.  

What gets you going?
Can you get yourself off the couch or do you need help?

Second Time Around in more ways than one

I had a whole other blog with 43 posts that I completely deleted tonight.  It was mediocre at best and most of the posts were about my struggle to lose 5 pounds and the beginning of my running journey. Quick recap of what happened- I got pregnant and never lost the weight. I did run until week 32 of being pregnant. Now, I'm not AS concerned about losing weight. I'd rather be faster or stronger, so most of what I said was annoying to me.

I am starting fresh today.

Here's initial information about me- 31 year old mom of one daughter, Sydney (1 year old).  I have run several 5ks, 1 8k, 1 half marathon, and 1 Muddy Buddy race.  I am in week 2 of training for my second half marathon with a sub two hour goal. I'm not a great photographer and I probably won't ever edit a picture I post. I do like to eat but I'm the first to admit I'm not very wild in food choices, I'd say solidly American based cuisine. I like to weight train but am too scared and cheap to try cross fit. I love books and reading.

                                   Sydney and me after my half marathon. I was figuratively dying here

Week 1 of Half Marathon Training
Scheduled: (3) 3 mile runs  (1) 5 mile run
Actual:  (2) 3 mile runs (1) 4 mile run (1) 2 mile run

Bad: Eats but bad in a good way, ate lots of delish treats while on vacation.  Every day was filled with cookies, chips, cake, full fat everything.  It was A-mazing.  
Ugly: Getting over a mystery illness, ran while coughing and blowing snot rockets.
Good: Ran on vacation, go me.  That's something I have always struggled with, but I strapped on the garmin and IT band strap and hit the road.  
Awesome: Week 1 is in the books, and I did a speed training session.  


Can you ever start over not from scratch?  
Are you training for anything?