Race Review - Red Tail Trail Run

There were several options and we chose the 5K.  I was still trying to get my wits about myself after being gone almost 2 weeks in Africa then doing the Spartan.  But we did it.

It was hard to find.  The GPS took us to one area and we had to drive all the way around the resevoir to find the race area.

It was a small race and was for a good cause.

The course was marked well for the most part.  There were some hiccups and confusion that could have been avoided had they had a volunteer there to direct runners.

Overall, nothing to really speak of.  I will say they had the best post race grub - fruit, donut holes, fruit snacks, crackers, granola bars, pizza!

So the review of the event Red Tail Trail Run
Terrain - Some pavement, mostly trails
Organization - organized okay
Cost - $30/person
Time of the race - 4:00pm
Overall - It went to a good cause and was a typical 5K event.
Swag - medal and teeshirt (not the best color - goose gray)
My Time - 34 minutes - not bad considering I hadn't ran in 3 weeks, got 3rd in my age group!
Race #21 (42 total to date)

Race Review - Indiana Spartan Sprint

Let me start by saying this was the hardest race I have ever done.

It was at the same location as the Mudstache - a ski resort.  I had just gotten in from Africa on Friday and stayed around Indy with Matt and my daughter then got up early and went to the race.  So I knew it was gonna be a tough one.

Hills...Hills...Holy hills.....the hills were killer.  We ended up hitting 1800 elevation. That and add some obstacles in.....killer.  I stayed with Matt the whole time so he could help me over some of the obstacles and so that I could make sure he didn't have a heat stroke.  We took our time and we made it.

Matt helped me over most walls and even used his back and helped me transverse across the parallel walls.  So when he was struggling hard on the bucket brigaide (carry a bucket of gravel up a hill), I took the chance to help HIM.  I finished mine and raced down to help him finish the last leg of his bucket carry.  We helped each other - that's what it is all about.

At the end, I was at the top of the slip wall and my tank was empty.  I couldn't get over it to save my life and I couldn't really go back down because I didn't have the strength to lower myself back down.  Therefore, I am pretty sure I whimpered to Matt that I just couldn't do it.

He raced and climbed the other side and grabbed me.  His tank was empty too so he yelled at another guy to give him a hand and they both helped me over.  So thankful to my husband.

Then the fire jump.  That is what everyone waits for - to have that epic moment of jumping over the fire towards the finish line.

I fell.

Yup....the camera guy got me in all my glory as I hit the gravel and it shifted and down I went.  But I had hoped he did.  Despite the lack of awesomeness, I am proud of those pictures.

Energy drinks, fruit and granola at the end.

I am a Spartan!

So the review of the event Indiana Spartan
Terrain - HILLS, trails
Organization - well organized
Cost - $63/person
Time of the race - 10:00am
Overall - Nicely done, it was tough, not going to lie but it was a Spartan, what did I expect? haha
Swag - epic Spartan medal and tee shirt
My Time - didn't care about time
Race #20 (41 total to date)

Race Review - Tame the Terrain

This was a last minute race.  Someone needed to sell their tickets so we bought them.  I am so glad we did.  This one is my favorite race so far this year!

It had it all - obstacles, mud, trails and loads of fun.  The obstacles were challenging and I liked that I pushed myself to complete them.  Lots of climbing and trudging through mud and debris.  Very little man-made obstacles.  They were mostly natural - hence the name, Tame the Terrain.

We weren't out to break any records.  We just wanted to complete it!  And we did.

At the end, they had bananas.  That was about it.  The showers were just hoses and the line was horrendous.  I changed my clothes in the back of our van and called it good.

So the review of the event Tame the Terrain
Terrain - trails, mud
Organization - well organized
Cost - $80/for both of us
Time of the race - 11:00am
Overall - Nicely done, my fave this year so far, money went to youth events
Swag - medal and tee shirt
My Time - didn't keep time
Race #19 (40 total to date)

Race Review - Summer Night Quarter Marathon

Two races in one day!  We are crazy!  HaHa!

We did the Mudstache mud run that morning then went to a hotel for the remainder of the day to shower and rest.  Then headed to Eagle Creek to do our summer night run.  This was a two part race.  We did the Winter Night Trail too.  If you did that one and this one, you got a 3rd Fire and Ice Medal.  We love the bling!

This race was familiar and I was glad it wasn't 30 degrees!  Haha.  Oddly enough though, as I ran I could see my breath.  It was warm but it was a "wet" warm.  Weird.

The trail started at dark and they let groups go in waves.  Soon we were off.  It was a beautiful trail run.  It circled a lake and was mostly wooded.  I was just hoping I didn't fall like I did at the last one!  You will be happy to know, I didn't!   :)

At the end of the race they had snocones, granola bars, fruit, drinks and cake!  Yum!

So the review of the event Summer Night Trail Run
Terrain - trails mostly
Organization - well organized
Cost - $47/person
Time of the race - 9:00pm
Overall - Nicely done, 131 Productions always puts on nice races with good bling!
Swag - medal and tee shirt
My Time -1 hour 38 minutes
Race #18 (39 total to date)

Race Review - Mudstache

I am a fan of mud runs.  There is something therapeutic about being covered in mud and climbing over stuff.

This one was a drive - about 3 hours actually.  We didn't do it alone, however.  Our friend and our Pastor did it with us!

So we left bright and early, Pastor's wife went along as well for moral support.  The event took place at a ski resort.  I didn't even know Indiana HAD ski resorts!  It was a beautiful resort.  Parking was $10 and parking was easy enough.

Getting our race packet was a little confusing but we quickly found it and got our goods.  It wasn't long and our wave was up.

The event was well done.  The obstacles weren't so challenging that I was intimidated by them but they made you work.  Regardless, if you came up to an obstacle you weren't comfortable doing, you could pass it without penalty.

I am happy to say that Matt overcame his fear of heights - way to go, Matt!

There was plenty of mud and by the end we were dragging tail, haha.

Showers were plenty and the flow was steady.  They had a trailer with hot showers but the cold ones outside worked just fine.  We cleaned up the best we could.  We had another race that evening!!!

Matt claimed that so far this year, the Mudstache is his favorite race.  However, the year isn't over yet!

So the review of the event Mudstache
Terrain - hilly, muddy, grass, trails
Organization - well organized
Cost - $55/person
Time of the race - 10:00am
Overall - Matt's fave so far, fun and one of the best mud runs
Swag - medal and tee shirt
My Time -I don't keep track of times for mud runs
Race #17 (38 total to date)