Time for a charity run

I've been so focused on training for a 30 hour event coming up in just 3 short weeks that I decided to change my scenery.

Yesterday I worked a half day in the office then traveled to Santa Ynez to preview the Hotshots Extreme Run 3 mile course. I tested a few obstacles, checked where course markings were altered by the cattle and put in 2 extra fun miles.

Today I began the charity run to benefit Wildland Firefighter Foundation. I was in the first wave and we started running in the wrong direction, turned around jumped the fire and continued running. The course was missing a marker and volunteer so we all took another wrong turn creating an additional 1.5 miles. 

I jumped the fire again because my friend was there taking photos so I decided to have fun.

 I followed the same trail I ran yesterday and came to the first obstacle. They are large tubes filled half way with very muddy approaches at the beginning of each one along with a funny sign.

More trail running would come next and a sandbag carry. I found the heaviest one I could find to carry up the hill. A short run and I met Olivia, Kristine and Jamie all athletes from Killer B Fitness. 

We all came to the Barbwire crawl where I rolled and crawled and turned myself and my pack a dark shade of mud.

More running and we carried a bucket of rocks. I have no idea why I enjoy that 5 gallon bucket of fun so much. I've used every chance I get to train with it because I know it will be my best friend at the event I'm preparing for.

The cargo net made me nervous with the transition at the top when I tested it yesterday but today I felt more relaxed. 

We arrived at the slip and slide and I was reminded of being a kid again in our neighbors yard on their hill.

After that obstacle there was an option to continue onto the 6 or 10 mile course. Olivia and Kristine continued on the 10 just behind me.

There was a tire drag obstacle up a hill around an oak tree and back down. I just wanted to pick that boring tire drag up and run with it.

There was a short run on flat trail to a fireman's carry. Kristine let me carry her and then Olivia let me carry her. I was so grateful for them.

After that we arrived at another cargo net. Olivia was nervous and climbed her way to the top. We were on opposite ends of the obstacle and I told her I would coach her over, but with fear in the way climbed back down. I walked over to her put my hand on her shoulder and told her I'd like her to try it again. She was willing and I knew she was capable. This time Olivia got to the top and did the transition and finished the obstacle. I loved her reaction she said she felt lightheaded she was so happy and that her husband would not believe she did that.

There were wall climbs that I struggled with some of the higher ones. There was a ditch we got to hold onto fire hoses and go backwards down just like the rope I use at my favorite training area.

We came to a wall/rope/hose obstacle that I remembered struggling with last year. Today I chose the hose option to honor fallen firefighters and I climbed it. I got some scratches from descending down the back side of the wall with it too fast but I loved it.

The tire pull and tire carry were after this and of course it's tires so I had fun.

The big obstacles are at the end and I saw the quarter pipe. There were 2 guys at the top and I threw them a shirt to hold out for me so I have something to reach for to get to the top platform. Last year that obstacle earned a nickname (quad slapper) because a guy slapped my leg when I finished it. 

My favorite obstacle was the tyrolean traverse over the vineyard reservoir that is approximately 24-26 feet deep. It was not rope, but a cable covered in pvc pipe and I loved the new challenge. I wanted to see how far across I could get but I was also warm and the mud had dried and stuck to me so I traversed a very short ways and let go so I could go for a swim.

 I was cleaner, cooled off and ready to cross the finish line and collect my shirt and medal. Rob the owner of Fireman's Brew rewarded me with an ice cold bottled root beer and one of the photographers tucked his business card down my shirt. I can honestly say no run has ever ended like that.

I had a great time surrounded by great people with a great purpose.