Warrior Weekend Part 2

Although conveniently located on our route to the Warrior Dash from our campground in Georgia, we did not stop at the farm room to learn about Jesus. Our campground was so pretty in the morning. My favorite part was a calm lake that caught the sun rising above the mountains so perfectly-with a rushing waterfall running off it.

Why is this picture so tiny? I have no idea, but if it were larger you would see that I had some great help preparing my warrior paint. Also, you would see 2 out of 3 Sara(h)'s that traveled together for the weekend in in our white, rented "Sara(h)van" or the best van group ever! Starbucks stops, breakfast stops, and bathroom stops turned what could have been a 5 hour drive into an 8 hour experience made awesome by our capable driver/navigator and a van full of fun folks who shared homemade brownies, starbursts (except the red and pink), ipods, blankets to nap under, magazines (horoscopes- first I've ever heard that incorporated scrapbooking), and general camaraderie. Yay, roadtrips!!!

Hungry for more: I raced on Saturday, at my original 5 pm time then realized, "I can totally sneak back in on Sunday and run again!". Most everyone else had gotten in on the second day of the race at 11am, and so I ran a second time with them. The second time was way more fun. 23 East Nasties in homemade wife beaters, camo shorts, and war paint= AWESOME!

The range of costumes really impressed me. Walking up to the race site and being passed by a man in a very minimal loin cloth made me think, "this is like a Halloween for guys"...you know how some girls use Halloween as an occasion to wear ridiculously skanky outfits? I have never seen more scantily clad men in one place then I did that day. Variations on the speedo (bedazzled, fur covered, etc ) were clearly the popular choice.

This guy didn't need a costume, though. Check out that drool! He may be my favorite :)

I Am Warrior

Pick up registration packet, check. Apply war paint, check. Rally raucous warrior queens, check.

I attempted to strike fear into the heart of any warrior that crossed my path. I would have been more nervous, but for the valiant crew that cheered me through the whole way!

My legs sustained many cuts and bruises, and it looks like my middle toenail will be a casualty of war, but I could not be happier. Look at that smile after my finish on Saturday! It's Monday night and I still have it! I wish we could do this every weekend; however, I did get to do it twice in one weekend.

On Sunday, I went back with the whole East Nasty team and raced a second time! Stay tuned!

Coincidence?

This week, I learned that the idea for the original Ironman Triathlon was conceived in 1977 byU.S. Navy Commander John Collins. Already an athlete, he and his friends/training buddies often debated which kind of athlete was MOST fit: runners, cyclists, or swimmers? Collins suggested that the debate be settled by combining three existing long distance competitions on the island (Hawaii) where they were stationed- and thus began the epic event we know as the Hawaiian Ironman!

"What's the big deal?", you might ask. Well, something else epic was born in 1977 and it was ME.

That's right. I will regard my recent triathlon trivia discovery as affirmation of the athletic track (pun intended) I've been on this year.

Here is a summary thus far:

1) Springer Farms 5k, personal best time

2) Country Music half marathon, personal best time 2.11min(although I wanted it to be 2hr)

3) Watkin's Biggest Loser, yes I lost 24 lbs between mid January and early May to win 1st in a workplace weight loss challenge

Here are my future goals:

1) Warrior Dash, this weekend (as pictured above!!!) (not me)

2) Off road triathlon, this summer

3) Half Marathon, this fall

4) Celebrate 33rd Birthday injury free and in great shape, August 8

I'm excited to continue on this path -setting new goals and pushing myself. I am intimidated at times but I push on, and so far it's been a blast.

Only 6 Days? Really?

Only 6 days till the Country Music Half Marathon- come cheer me on if you're around next Saturday morning! When I started training for this in January I would have told you I would be relieved when it was over. Oddly enough, I am getting anxious about the fact that in less than a week it will be over.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME? Was not expecting this- especially after a kinda rough kick off in January. I 've just felt good lately(about running, about making new friends while running,etc), and I don't want to feel like it's gonna wind down after this race. So, I have decided to wind things UP a notch. Running will continue( thanks East Nasties for always being there), and various adventures will ensue. This is in the very near future!