Exclusive Video!

Okay, so it may not be as exciting as it sounds. Here is the little bit of Mud Run video that we have. My poor parents totally missed us! Hahaha. The effort and support was much appreciated though.

A messy rush

Last weekend, April and I (along with Denis and Matt) got a little muddy! We took on the Ultimate Mud Run Challenge! Proceeds went to Marines and their families – what community could be better than that?

Our goal was to complete the race and I think we did this in a respectable amount of time. Our training paid off. We completed a 4.2 -mile course with 30 various obstacles in 1 hour and 14 minutes. Now that we know what to expect, I think we could shave off at least 10 minutes next year.

We had fun obstacles like a swinging by a rope over a muddy pond and crawling under a huge Hummer. Of course, some obstacles were not so much fun, like the "heart attack hill," a 1/3-mile stretch of road with a straight up incline.

All in all, it proved to me (once again!) that my body could do so much more than I give it credit. Certainly if I had been hanging with the wrong crowd (and by wrong crowd, I mean with a group of prissy gals), I would have never known that I had the physical and mental capacity to accept such a challenge. It’s a good thing I’ve been hanging around April! I mean that as the ultimate compliment.

Apes -- just think how far we’ve come since last year! Last year during Labor Day, we completed our first 5K as a running group, whining and walking along the way. I’m still determined to keep Joeli in our running cycle, though it looks like she has her own version of endurance building!

What amazing, ballsy girls we are. What’s our next event, April?

Running on a Lovely Gray Afternoon

That's right, I ran farther down Riverfront Park than I ever have before :-) I started at the top and ran to the dam. It was a rainy afternoon last Wednesday and I decided to go see what the Strictly Running group was doing and run with them. All my other friends have pretty much bailed on that endeavor. Something about feeling inferior or some sort of excuse. It has been difficult to run lately outside due to the South Carolina summer heat, but Wednesday was perfect! The temperature had dropped considerably, the drizzle of rain felt good and I even got a chill on cool down while the wind was blowing. It was very nice and satisfying.

I've found that recently my endurance has been doing better. It is like I've gotten past a bit of a hump and can go a little longer. I'm still not a marathon runner by any means (nor will I probably ever be one), but it does feel good to see some results from the training.

I also got an idea from Runner's World about taking pictures while on a run. It is something I would like to get in the habit of doing more. Eventually I'll get a more compact camera designed for taking on the go. I kinda hate the camera I use now, but I suppose it does capture images...better than nothing. Anyway, here are some pictures from my run to spice up this blog a little :-)



The wonderful view at the end! It was so good to see, haha.



The long and winding road: One of the other runners trudges on ahead.



I went fishing down here one time. Not many fish though.



One of the clusters of runners working on their speed work.



Taking a breather at the end...whew!

My Long Lost Post!

Ok, folks; I started this post back in May and never got around to actually posting it. Personally, even though I am young, can already tell that I have some hip issues. I read in Runner's World that a lot of people actually do. Our hips may be slightly off or maybe one leg is actually slightly longer than the other or something like that. Either way, if you're a little abnormal like me (go ahead and insert your smart remarks here), you may find yourself with some pain from time to time from running that isn't the typical muscle soreness from working out. I went looking for some things that may help prevent injuries and came across this little video. You may feel a little stupid doing some of these exercises, but they will loosen up and strengthen your hips and hopefully prevent injury.

Amendment to my previous post...

So I didn't go running for pizza after all. I wasn't feeling the running today. In fact, I was feeling a bit weak. I figured the only way that I would actually go would be if someone would go with me. Everyone had an excuse. So I created excuses as well. I did yoga instead. Made me feel stretched and energized :-) Maybe tomorrow running will be in my future. Just got off the phone with a client. I'm putting an end to this work day now at 9:07 PM. Gotta go chill, dudes. Peace!

April

Getting Ready for the Mud Run!

So, I meant to write a blog weeks ago. It is crazy to me how fast time is flying by. Life somehow got very busy. I'm a single chick; things aren't supposed to be this hectic for me! Nevertheless, I'm taking a break from the world of Web design to update you on what's been going on with the training.

As Lauren mentioned in the previous post, I've been going to run with Strictly Running on Wednesdays...well most Wednesdays. I missed last week because I thought it was going to storm, and though they ran anyway, some people's cars got broken into, so I'm glad I chose to go to the gym instead. The folks at Strictly Running make me feel like a pansie of course. Not on purpose; they're actually really nice people, they just run waayyyy better than me. For me though, it is actually good motivation, something to strive for. I'm going to try to make it to the run for pizza through 5 Points tonight.

Aside from the Strictly Running, I've been managing to get in some sort of workout in each day. I've started biking and lifting more weights. I've really been working on my arms recently in preparation for the Mud Run. I want to have myself to where I can do a pull up on the pull up bar. That way I'll know I can pull myself up over obstacles. My friends at Shandon have kept me active on Sundays with ultimate frisbee during the afternoon. I also dug out my jump rope. That gives me something to do during breaks from sitting at the computer.

My diet has also undergone a bit of a change. I'm not 100% strict, seeing as I will probably be running for pizza tonight, but I've definitely cut down on quantity and eat a lot more fruits and veggies. The less I weigh, the less of me there will be to pull up over obstacles and carry around while running.

Anyway, I was looking at stuff about the Mud Run and happened to come across this YouTube video someone made about their experience. It is not the best videography in the world, but it does give you an idea of what kinds of obstacles we'll be facing. Enjoy and I'll catch you later!

April

Running group wannabe

April got the bright idea for us to tag along with a running group over at Riverfront Park yesterday after work. The running group meets weekly and is coordinated by Strictly Running. We decided it would be a good idea, what with us determined to stay actively involved in our community and what not.

I’ve run at Riverfront Park before. We’ll call it “Doofus Move at Riverfront Park #1.” It was back in March or so (before daylight savings time), and I had worked a little late, so I didn’t get to the park until around 5:45 pm. When I parked my car, there were plenty of people around the main area, so I felt safe within the general pack of the crowd. I ran about 2 miles down the stretch beside the river, but by the time I reversed and ran back (45 minutes later), it was dark outside and the once populated “after work” crowd of runners and walkers had dispersed and gone home. It was pretty scary stuff.

Doofus Move at Riverfront Park #2 was yesterday, running with that darn running group, God love ‘em. The coordinator gave a few announcements and asked if there were any newcomers. We raised our hands, introduced ourselves … and Apes told them that we were here to train for the Mud Run. Little did they know, we were really here to absorb their magic running power. Of course, maybe they did know that. I mean, after all, that’s what a running group is for, right? Motivation. Inspiration. Side stitches, the whole shebang.

We were given the option of running an “easy 4 or 6 miles.” It only takes a few scrolls down this blog to notice that April and I ran a five miler about 6 weeks ago. Of course, that took every thing we had to finish that race, but we did it and we’re alive to tell the story. This time, we chose to do 4 miles. But it certainly wasn’t easy.

Everyone began running, and after about ½ a mile, April and I shuffled into the back of the pack while the real runners quickly become a distant vision in front of us. We ran about 1.5 miles, and then walked. And then we cursed ourselves for letting overall life (work, vacations) get in the way of our physical fitness. We ran another mile, turned around and then walked. We talked about how out of shape we were (those darn side stitches!). We ran a tad bit more, and then we talked about how to get that defined, toned, runner’s body we had been dreaming about.

Here’s a thought! Maybe the easiest way to getting a runner’s body is to date a runner and have your way with them.

Anyway, we finished up the 4 miles, stretched, and drank our body’s weight in water. My legs felt like jell-o, but looked awesome. I think April and I are naïve enough to try this torture again next week.