Summer of Mud...

Guess what!?

I did another Mud Run!

Shocking isn’t it.  I know.

I don’t usually do runs back to back weekends but there was a good deal for the Summer of Mud  - the Irvine Lake Mud Run I couldn’t resist!

As per usual Fatima also signed up, but we also got my co-worker/friend Taylor to join me again as well!

The only bummer about this race was we had a late wave because we signed up with the Weeple Army group and that’s when the “Timed Teams” raced.  This got us off to a rough start.

Taylor arrived at my place and we carpooled up and met Fatima.  We saw some Weeples gathering (I opted to wear the bright neon green Weeple Army shirt in spirit) and joined them.  This fellow was to meet us with all of our bibs and shirts.  He was late.  I was starting to worry because I’d never relied on someone else to get my stuff.  Some guy snapped a photo of us waiting.

Taylor and I of course did a pre-race shot.  I realized I forgot to get one with Fatima! :(

Finally the dude showed up, they pitched a pop up and we just hung around.  For what felt like forever.  No more late waves!  But - it was cool to chat with a few of the folks.  We walked around and there wasn't too much vendor stuff but a few.   I did enjoy watching this darling little badass challenge people to Burpees and Push ups:

We also did a Weeple Army Team Photo:

Finally our wave time was up at almost 11 and here we are waiting to start:

By the way - this blog has so many photos because there was this very cool guy named Dannie and his lady who took all the pictures and posted them the next day!  Here is a shot of them:

And we were off.  It started out right off the bat with a trek through some mud.  Here are a few early on shots he took:

Taylor was super nervous since this was his 1st OCR but you can't tell in any of the photos!  He kicked major ass until the last obstacle which we'll get to later.

I have no idea what the hell I'm doing here..stretching after a tire run? Ha ha!:

Now, as per usual I can't remember all of the obstacles, but I will tell you - there was a lot of this:

Can ya spot me?

At one point there was this freakin rad slide.  There were guys that actually grabbed your arm and pretty much sling shotted you out of the thing.  If you were a bit larger you had 2 guys on you.  I had quite a hot guy fling me and did my best little "Wow you must be getting quite the arm workout" flirty line.

To which he smiled.  *blush* then FLING!

 Unfortuneatly this is where I also lost my sunglasses.  I'll admit - super friggin bummed but I didn't even think to hold on to them.  Le Sigh.

Here's Fatima:

Then I had to share Brad's photo.  This was one of the more rambuncous athletic kids of the bunch and he carried this Weeple Army flag the whole time:

There were also a lot of walls to climb over.  Mostly low ones so I hopped over like a pro (yes I did get a bit cocky on those).  My favorite though was Taylor's 1st attempt he did the most awesome - tried to hop/crawl over sort of fell but hung on sort of thing.  His face was priceless but he did get the hang of it after that.  I really wish we could have got a photo of that! :)  None of the walls were very difficult though, if they were high there were steppy things.

We also went under some netting a few times in mud water:

There was a set of monkey bars which of course got me super excited.  They were so long!!!  I posted this photo to give you sort of an idea.  This isn't even the whole thing.  I was thrilled when I hopped up, got my monkey swing down and made it all the way.  Most people didn't make it and I had a little moment of glory with these 3 beautiful men that were watching us and then they all high fived me when I finished.  I think the girls behind me were maybe their girlfriends and none of them made it.  He he he!!  I was beaming.  I also of course chose the photo of our more athletic dudes. 

There were about 3 times we ran through tires (the cuties of course):

There were also these giant spools we had to jump over.  I loved those!  Super fun and I thought they were going to be at Gladiator and were not so I was thrilled to see them here.  Here's a photo of our photographer and this cutie (married with the darling little girl - already checked) posing fabulously:

So here's my photo on the spool...I was caught by the professional but his prices are outrageous so I was able to screenshot these out of my email he sent me.  Not great quality but something!

There were balance beams which I attacked with a vengance after the last race incident and I am proud to say I made it across both of them!  There were two sets of poles and not many were making it across.  I was so stoked when I did!!!  I did see some nasty falls though.  One of our team mates actually fell and cracked her jaw.  She was ok but damn did it look painful!!  There was also a gal that fell straight down and if she was a dude would have been singing soprano.  Lord that looked like it hurt!  The shot below can give you an idea.

And my balance shot!

After this there was this really super slippery muddy water walk.  I ate it a few times and people were stumbling all over each other.  Hilarious!

There was one back up at an obstacle and it was a rope climb over a rock.  It was kind of odd, but fun none the less.  Some people skipped it that didn't want to wait but a good amount of us did it.  I sailed up and Taylor shouted "Jesus you are a monkey!"  he he he!

Now after this was probably one of the more difficult obstacles.  I think it's actually called never ending mud.  You crawl under the barbed wire then trek through the mud which seems like forever.  The thing is - the mud is sooooooo squishy!!!  People were getting stuck, falling, losing their shoes and slipping all over the place.  By the time you were done you were exhausted.  There was one point where a three person pile up happened and I don't think they could get up because they were all laughing so hard.  It was so much fun and so rad to see everyone falling and laughing their asses off.  I grabbed a shot of the barbed wire crawl and a great one of one of our team mates cracking up after a spill.  I actually didn't fall which surprised me and I did have a hell of a fun time!

After this were a few more walls then the last obstacle.  The last obstacle was about 6 or 7 muddy hills into water, muddy hills into water, repeat.  This is sadly where our friend Taylor biffed it.  The 1st hill we slid down on our butts and it scraped the crap out of us.  So the next time we opted to sort of surf down the hill because they were so slippery.  Taylor rolled his ankle at one point and it turned out to be a pretty severe sprain.  Now everyone at work is razzing me saying I broke Taylor.  Poor guy!

I think that shot above is actually when he did it!  Poor Taylor!!

Dannie of course caught me at my very best:

After this the finish line where there were a bunch of bubbles which I thought was kind of cute.

We got a few finish line photos which I hope come out on the professional level and I'll post those when I get them.  

The line for the showers was so damn long.  We waited for days and then I sent Taylor to the medical tent.    We were also a bit disappointed because they ran out of the cool bottle opener medals but we still got a nice one:

We pretty much headed out after that since it had got so late now due to the long wait and later wave.  I got Taylor's proud injury shot here and even though he got hurt he totally kicked ass!:

 And we of course had to do a selfie:

All in all this race was a blast!  It's a really good one for 1st time OCR person because the obstacles weren't super difficult.  We did travel with a really fun group but even solo I think anyone would enjoy this as long as you don't mind getting dirty!  I'll for sure do it again, just an early wave!

1st Gladiator Rock N Run...

Last Saturday was the Gladiator Rock N Run and I’m still recovering a bit. 

I was really really nervous for some reason to do this one.  I think it’s because I was surprised at how sore I was and how long it took me to recover from the Camp Pendleton Mud Run which was actually quite easy.  I think I got a little cocky last year and wanted to amp up my races so I jumped at the idea to do 3 Gladiators in one year to acquire a “Beast Medal”.  My friend Fatima has turned into quite the runner/athlete and this is really the 1^st time I’ve pretty much had a guaranteed buddy to do these with so that has also not helped me in me slowing down.

Last year Fatima along with my brother, D and some other friends did this race and told me I would have loved it.  Well, I’m getting a bit older and my knee is really starting to get pissed off at me doing all these OCR’s and it seems I may not have a choice but to slow down.  This realization of course has come after the fact that I’ve signed up for a whole slew this year and still have 6 more to go!  Oh well.  Fingers crossed that I can get through them!

Anywhoo – I think I was nervous because of all these realizations.  Because my knee has been hurting me worse than ever.  Because I had not done this one yet and knew it was supposed to be pretty hardcore.  So the night before the race I got NO sleep.  It was awful!!  I tossed and turned all night long and had anxiety dreams about the race.  Crazy right? 

Race day arrives and I can only get one cup of coffee down since my stomach is in knots.  Tully is meeting me there along with Fatima.  I’m also going to meet all of these Weeple Army people that Fatima has convinced me to join.  D, Courtney and Shawn signed up but they are running later than us.  I had suggested they cheer us on at the Finish Line, but alas they did not. 

I get there in my usual really early fashion which I’m always glad I do.  And start to wander around as I wait for the others.  It’s not very big actually.  There’s a stage and only a handful of vendors.  I actually thought it would be a bigger deal.  I grab a free Obere lip balm and pop a squat and people watch.  

I also took a little pre-race before everyone gets there kinda photo:

Tully arrives first.  He’s doing an earlier competitive wave than I am.  Fatima arrives a bit later.  We do our usual pre-race stuff.  And of course take our pre-race photo:

The Weeple Army has a “tent” since we were the biggest team and I hesitantly put my bag with everyone else’s instead of bag check.  I meet one of the gals – a very hyper friendly girl named Joreen.  We chat a moment then I head off to cheer Tully on at the start line.  The MC is ok.  But Dan “Nitro” Clark comes out and gets the crowd really pumped up.  Then he pulls a volunteer from the crowd to demonstrate burpees with a cinder block.  The horn is blown and they are off.  I scream Tully’s name and root him on.  The 1^st obstacle is actually right at the start and it’s the tire run.  I watch until the wave has hopped through the tires then I return back to Fatima.  

Then apparently one of those Weeple People got a sneaky shot of us:

We get in line since we are the next wave and I meet Fatima’s friend David.  This is his 1^st OCR ever.  I’m pleased someone less experienced is with us.  He was super cool.  I also meet another Weeple – Joe Forney – a very hyper older guy who apparently does like one of these a week.  Then I meet Nancy another Weeple that Fatima met at some Gladiator Training Camp (they have these?!).  She was also very nice and very hyper.  I’m seeing a theme here.  We stretch and chat and Dan repeats the same thing I just saw him do and we’re off.  I’m also using a new type of knee brace so I’m a bit anxious on how it’s going to work.

Oh and there was this funny photo that I was actually trying to dodge out of but apparently didn't succeed:

I of course very carefully step through the tires but since it is right at the start it wasn’t hard.  I fall into my power walk pace and David is impressed.  He and Fatima slow jog to my walk.  Now as per usual the obstacles are fuzzy in my memory and they are nothing like what the website said so here we go:

First up the “Buddha’s Burden”.  The website said we have to carry 40lb bags a certain distance and drop them at Buddha’s feet.  The bags were like 5 pounds.  The girl handed me mine and I said “Seriously?”  Fatima laughed and said hers was heavier so we traded.  I think hers was 6 pounds.  We then ran around this circle so I of course swung the bag around my head like a cowboy and a smart ass.  The inflatable giant Buddha was also scarily weird looking.

Next up were the cinder block burpees.  Cake.

Next up was I think it was called “Hells Hills”.  There were about 5 or 6 muddy hills you climb up then into a muddy pool, then up, then into a muddy pool, etc.  Most people were having a hard time and slipping.  I surprised myself by scurrying up them quite fast.  I used my bear crawl technique and it seemed to really work.  I helped the Nancy person I met at one point then I scurried off to the end.  I waited for Fatima and David and David was quite impressed at my speed.  Yay!

Then I believe was the piggy back portion.  We basically had to carry someone piggy back a certain distance.  I told Fatima I would carry her because I know I’m much heavier.  David grabbed a random gal and off we went.  Fatima had me drop her about half way and I guess we were supposed to switch but I didn’t know that.  Oops!

Next up was a cargo climb.  Aced it.

Then I believe there was a wall.  That was when David started calling me a Mutant (X-Men) and my little ego soared.

Next up Monkey Bars.  I was the only one that got across.  I fucking ace the Monkey Bars!!!!!!!!!  They were longer than I’ve done yet and I did a little victory shout when I finished.  I was feeling glorious! 

After that was the Polar Bear Plunge.  Now, Tully had warned me about this one.  He said it was his least favorite and that I would hate it.  I don’t do well with cold.  Honestly the only reason I’m not doing the Spartan in December with my brother is because it’s in December and there’s some kind of Polar Plunge there too.  F that.  So we jump in and yes it is cold but I think I can take it.  We wade across and come up to a wall.  The guys are yelling at us to go under the wall, not over it.  So we have to submerge ourselves under water and go under this wall.  I hold my nose and go under.  When I came up I think my heart stopped.  This is also where a photographer was brilliantly positioned because they are catching all of the people coming up and out of the water and gasping for air.  HOLY SHIT WAS IT COLD!  I waded the rest of the way and up and out and tried to start walking.  I had to stop because I was shaking so bad.  David and Fatima stopped and turned around.  “Are you ok?!” they shouted.  I tried to nod.  I just needed a second for the violent shaking to stop.  Oh. My. God.  Luckily it was a hot day so it was only about a minute but DAMN!  They got a rad pic though!

Off we went.  We now came up to the “Tire Lunge”.  You picked up one or two tires and lunged in a circle.  They were not the ginormous tires on the website so this was no problem. 

Next up was the “Dumpster Dive”.  Now, again I was told there would be multiple dumpsters but there was just one.  I got into the thing just fine, but realized you did need help to get out.  A nice fellow racer dude offered a boost so I took it.  Plus I think the dumpster had been used because it smelled like ass and I wanted out of there as soon as I could.  Thanks fellow racer dude!  I hopped out.

I think after this was "Morning Wood".  You had to carry a telephone pole with a team around a circle.  Since there were only 3 of us we joined up with other people.  Awesomely enough - a bunch of large muscular men trotted up behind us and I immediately said "I want to be on their team!!!"  We were so Fatima and I being the only girls, and short ones at that, didn't have to do as much.  Tee hee!

Next up was the rope climb.  You climb up a really long rope and have to ring a bell when you get to the top.  I thought I would ace this.  I get up there and I could not get a grip.  The rope was muddy and wet and impossible to grip.  I tried and tried.  I went to another rope and tried.  Nope.  I gave up then turned around and watched Fatima do it.  So – I went back to try again.  Fatima was trying to teach me some kind of wrap your foot and step thing, but there was a growing line and I just couldn’t get it so I moved on.  You had to do 10 burpees if you didn’t complete and obstacle so I hit the dirt.  I later found out that I climb like a guy.  I guess most people do that rope foot thing.  It’s good for people who don’t have good upper body strength.  I really think I could have completed it if the ropes weren’t wet and muddy but I plan to learn that step thing before the next one in August.

I was pretty disappointed with myself because I’ve never not completed an obstacle.  As we approached the next one I again thought “Oh I got this”.  It was a plank thing.  They had 2 by 4’s going across a large muddy pool.  They had the board skinny side up and they were quite long.  No one was getting across and the crowd was quite vocal watching people try.   We were near enough to the finish line now that some spectators had wandered out to watch.  Fatima decided to skip it.  David and I got in a line.  This is where the old Jami athlete temper returned.  I’ll tell you what readers…I don’t know when the last time I got this pissed off was.  It’s been years.  It started out with some jackass cutting in front of me in line.  I didn’t say anything but whatever.  He fell off.  So I started across.  I was feeling super confident, felt the wiggle of the board and had it down.  I would have made it across.  As I inched along I could hear the crowd starting to cheer thinking I was going to make it.  This made me more confident.  THEN – the jackass who cut in front of me grabbed my board to help himself out of the pool because his puny wimp ass couldn’t get out alone and he jerked the board back knocking me off.  I was livid.  I let the guys working there help me out of the pool and Oh my lord did I lose it.  I flung the mud off me and screamed a slew of swear words at top volume.  I also immediately was looking for that jackass because I honestly think I would have attacked him had I found the bastard.  Fatima called out to me and I turned to her and screamed “I FUCKING HAD IT!!!! I WOULD HAVE MADE IT!!!!!!”  She tried to get me to come back and I shouted I had to walk.  I was so pissed!!!!  I can’t believe the anger.  Holy shit you guys.  The competitive Jami returned with a vengeance.  I got to the next obstacle and stopped to wait and breathe.  A little gal jogged timidly up to me and said “I know you’re mad, but you totally would have made it.  That asshole ruined it for you!  I would have been mad too!”  I smiled and thanked her and really realized how furious I was.  As Fatima and David approached I apologized.  I think it was the combo of disappointment in the rope climb followed by this.  

The next obstacle was called “Dirty Drawers” and you pulled yourself along these ropes but you dragged in the mud while doing so.  I patted myself on the back for wearing fitted shorts.

Next up was “The Beast”.  I think it’s a 12 or 14 foot wall that you climb up using a rope.  Again – I had seen the pictures and thought I’d be fine.  Well – here is where the most epic fall I have ever had happened.  Fatima and David conquered it after my fall you are about to read about.  David was below me to boost me if I needed it.  I climbed all the way up to the top.  Again – the rope was slippery and muddy but smaller so I was able to do it.  Once at the top though I couldn’t get that last move to get over.  They have dudes up there to help you but I had some kid who didn’t know what he was doing.  “Grab my left wrist!” I said.  But he wanted me to swing my left leg over.  We argued a bit but again, I didn’t want to hold anyone up so I swung my leg towards him.  I have no idea what or how it happened but all of a sudden I was falling backwards.  Fatima/David and Tully (who had already finished and was watching this fiasco) saw the whole thing.  As I fell backwards I slammed upside down now against the wall.  I then bounced and swung to the left a bit and slammed against the wall again.  This second slam the rope had wrapped around my left leg and pulled tight.  I dangled for a brief moment as it yanked my crotch area and left leg then I dropped straight down, all four limbs in the air.  My stage combat training came in handy at the end and I twisted and landed on my right side to avoid cracking my tailbone.  I then stood up – furious – and saw David and heard other people shouting if I was ok and flung the mud off myself, snapped I was fine and walked around to the back.  I then stood there breathing like a furious bull.  The adrenaline was pumping through me like wildfire and I was pissed.  I believe the disappointment in the rope climb followed by the plank incident and now this completely put me over the edge.  Later on Tully said I had looked like a broke down doll puppet falling in slow motion and then had this grotesque pause before I dropped.  David also apparently tried to catch me but since I bounced to the left he didn’t get to me.  The only thing I hope is somewhere that is on film.  It was Wipeout worthy.

I waited for David to scale the wall which he did (Did I mention how much ass this guy kicked for his 1st time!) and Fatima joined me at my side.  She was most concerned about my knee and thank GAWD the rope yanked my other leg.  I also want to mention here that the new little knee brace thingie seems to work!

We walked towards the last obstacle and Tully was there with a camera asking if I was ok.  I vented to him about the plank and how pissed I was and now I fell off a wall and he laughed, took the photo you see below (can you tell what side I fell on?) and told us to finish.

We crawled under the caution tape in muddy water (from barbed wire and mud at other races this was easy peasy) and I flew through it trying to do one last thing good and we headed towards the finish.  Fatima and David slipped their arms through each of mine and we walked across together.

I love this pic of Fatima and I.  I was trying to beat her! he he he!!  Obviously we were enjoying ourselves!

As we walked out and joined Tully, D, Shawn and Courtney were walking up.  As we chatted with them I started to feel where I hurt myself in the fall. 

We took some after pics:

Then saw an actual photo booth thing so we did that and I just love these pictures:

We grabbed our stuff and headed to the showers.  Fatima had to help me rinse off since my body was really starting to hurt and we changed and headed back.

Got some clean photos:

We all chatted and visited and stood in line forever to get our pics but it was fun to people watch and talk.    The trio finished just as we were getting our pics so we said hey again and found out they all actually just skipped “The Beast” all together.  Ha!  Maybe my fall scared them off.

We were getting ready to head out when we got a hold of Dan “Nitro” Clark and I got my celebrity photo

Tully found out he was 1^st in his age group but didn’t take a trophy picture.  Um you can’t let that bad ass thing slip by so we walked out together and I took his photo.

This was the hardest race I’ve done to date.  I have some lessons learned, some tricks I need to practice and learn, and some meditation I apparently need to do to curb the angry competitive Jami from coming out again.  The next two Gladiators I’m signed up for will be harder but I’m ready now.  I'm also not going to be cocky at all!!!!  This one wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be but there were defiantly some major challenges I need to work on.  As per always it was a fun day with some fun people!  I have a few doozy injuries but I think they’ll be healed up in time for my Mud Run next week!