Here for the Racing

So I have a confession. I've been a hiking slacker. Like, big time! I feel guilty. I feel anxiety ridden. Will I fail for a second summer in a row to complete the 48 4,000 footers? At least I have a semi-reasonable excuse...I think...

Racing. I've been doing it. A lot. Let's backtrack to a month ago when I completed the Loon Mountain Race. You can read all about it 3 posts ago. I felt a little like a slug, but an inspired slug.

The following week, July 12th, I competed in the Loon Monster Mud Run to defend my 1st place individual female crown. Technically speaking, I did just that. Yay! However, technically speaking I feel like I was really first runner up because another girl was a half a foot in front of me but was on a team, therefore placing 1st for Two Person Team. (Following pictures courtesy of Monster Mud Run Facebook page)

I started out clean...and totally heel running.

At this point I was much muddier than I was last year.

I felt like I was cheating with the smaller hose for females compared to the full size last year.

This race was not only important to me because I wanted to be the reigning champ, but because this is where the mister and I met a year prior. It was awesome seeing him at the finish line waiting for me again, but also knowing that throughout the race he was cheering me on (inside his head of course, he's so not the shout out loud type of person). Overall, I found this year to be more challenging then the year before. It felt like there was more crawling under things/between things/over things. Plus, the pond...don't even get me started. It was in the negative temps, or so it felt. I will say it woke up my muscles, even if I couldn't breath the entire journey across. Least. Favorite. Obstacle. EVER. There was also a timing issues where a girl ran the wrong heat, so I didn't get awarded 1st place at the award ceremony. I definitely think the event would benefit from timing chips, but I'm not in charge. It was also a bummer that there were only first place awards this year. Last year they had sweet swag and mud in a mason jar for 2nd and 3rd place finishers. However, I have this sitting in the living, so I'm happy.

Don't try to come after me. I now have 2 hatchets.

So I said I was feeling inspired after the Loon Mountain Run, right? The week after the Mud Run I attempted another mountain climb race at Cranmore put on by the White Mountain Milers. It was a fierce base to summit to base to summit to base race. I felt like I was an amateur. My shoelaces came untied about 4 times, so I lost quite a bit of time the first two times I stopped to tie them. I ended up finishing the race with one of my laces flying in the air. However, I was still really proud of myself for being the 8th overall woman to finish. It's amazing how many more males run these races than females because I was overall 61st. I tell you, I LOVED the downhill. There was a single track part that weaved through the woods and I felt like I was flying. I always do on single track, even when my running app tells me otherwise. It's peaceful to me. Well, except for when I can't get around someone. This race was well organized, had great snacks (mmm bagels), and the friendliest competitors around. People was congratulating one another and giving accolades around the finish line. Bonus, they didn't wait alllllll day to give out the awards. I felt like they valued the runner's time. I'm excited to run more of these next summer as I do the Mountain Goat Challenge.

So fast forward another weekend and you'll find me in Cleveland, Ohio. The boy and I went there so he could play in a golf tournament with one of his old college buddies (insert yawn). I did some negotiating (not really) and mentioned if I was going to sit around all day on a golf course that I wasn't even playing that I should be able to do something fun for me prior to the exciting golf tournament. Enter the Wigs for Kids Zoo 5k. Yes, you read that right. A 5k IN a zoo! Plus, it's for a great cause! Win-Win-Win (remember, the golf thing). Well, low and behold, Howard tested out his knee and he decided he was going to try to run, too. All on the 5 month anniversary of his major knee surgery. Yes, he ended up beating me by like 30 seconds too, let's not talk about that part though. Let's talk about the fact you're running through a zoo. The best part was finishing the race as the 3rd overall female and hearing all the people comment on how tough the "hill" was on the course. We're talking a 2 maybe 3% grade for a quarter mile. It was a nice addition in my opinion. Broke up the flatness. But, hey, this is the midwest where "hills" are far and few.

I heart elephants! Although it does remind me of my favorite read, The One and Only Ivan.

This race was reallllllly well organized. Clear course to follow as they had a person directing you at every corner, swag bags, LOADS of snacks (bagels, pasta, fruit, granola bars, cookies, so on and so forth), chip timers, great cause raising money for wigs for kids, and a zoo pass. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I didn't really want to leave Ohio. I was having a blast biking in all the metroparks, gorging on delicious and artistic meals, taking in the sights, and shopping at the West Side Market. 

Alas, this trip (plus my week away next week) has left me in my state of panic about my hikes in the White Mountains. I mean, school is right around the corner no matter how in denial I am about it. Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous and we have plans to hike with some friends. It will be a redo of my very first 4,000 footer (ok, fine, my second, but are we really going to count when I did Mt. Washington in 7th Grade?). Report of Lafayette will be done in the very near future of next week. 

Happy trails whether you're hiking or running!