Fast forward to 2015. Hurricane Juachim was churning in the Atlantic. It wasn't clear what we were going to get. As we got closer to race day, it was obvious the worst wasn't going to happen. Still, it looked like there was gonna be lots of rain the day before the race to make the Down & Dirty really dirty. That didn't really happen either. What did happen was that the weather changed. It was nice during the week before the race but race day was cold.
I initially didn't sign up Jessie as she was going to check with her friends if they are doing it. Well, she said yes but I kept forgetting and well we missed online registration. Still, it was a good thing because she wasn't pushing it and well the weather was gonna suck.
Few days before the race, I get an email from the race. They don't mention anything about potential cancellation due to storm (cool) but they also mention that if you want a time then you should bring a watch (what?). Really...??? That sucks.
Yup - No clock or chip. I lined up and off we went. Passed people and did my thing. Dude named Nick eventually caught up and we ran together. Eventually he dropped me and I picked up another person who eventually dropped me as well. I did pick up another fellow and I dropped him close to the end.
Still, lets rewind a little. There are a number of nice things about this race. I find it to be a more beginner friendly obstacle race. Also, they try to make some changes every year. This year was no exception.
I'll try to mention some of them as we go along. By the way, another difference this year was Elizabeth and the kids trying to find me on the course. Here and there, they saw me and took pictures and offered encouragement.
The weight hoist (dunno the name) seemed heavier to me this year. Same goes for the sand bag carry up the hill.
I'm running with Nick and second dude and we passed this guy running while carrying 45 pounds of bricks in his bag. We get to the sand bag carry and I'm the 3rd in the bunch and the brick dude is gaining on me up the hill. I start screaming to the aid stations that "they need to DQ him because he's carrying 45 lbs and the sand bag and he is freaking gaining on me up the hill". We all laugh. Made his day. Still, sand bag down and I was out of there.
Side note: Balance beam was moved this time to a more stable place. Good move.
One of my favorite obstacles as usual was where they have bands stretched across with ropes on top to help. You just need to cross to the other side. I find the ropes above not helpful. I have a good sense of balance and I just quickly go through it without help.
Anyway, after that obstacle, we got to a new obstacle. I think it was called "plank it". You do a plank about 4 feet of the ground between two high beams. Then you just walk it sideways to get to the other side. Very reminiscent of "spider Monkey" I think it was called except do it as a plank. I asked what if you are too short but no answer was given.
Got to the pushup area. So very few of us here. Girl got in back of me to count. I can tell she's off. I don't care. I do my 20 and bug out.
We clear the woods. Traditionally there's a wall climb here and then you head to the water. No volunteers and things weren't clear as to where we should go. Finally directed to go right. I did and then a sharp U-turn and into the mud pit. That's new. Usually it's at the end. Almost missed it. Went in and got out and straight to the water. New obstacle in our way. Two walls to climb over. No biggie. I see medicine balls there but they told us not to worry about them. We head into the water. Because of Juachim, we didn't go as far in as usual.
In and out and now it's a run to another climbing wall. This time a 45 degree wall, soaped down, with ropes but you can't use your legs. I jump forward to grab the rope high but that didn't work and I slide mostly down. Still, got my grip and I pull myself up and from there to the finish line. Kids told me I was 14th or 15th overall. Considering 3 waves started in front of me, I'm happy. I was warm and feeling good. Now, time to make sure Jeremy is ready.
Anyway, off we go. We are constantly leap frogging this short little kid who I think is around 12 and his mom. I try to steer Jeremy through obstacles. Send him to less crowded areas and such. I know what's coming up but I also have a good sense of what's going on.
I tried to give him advice about the heavy hoist. Really gotta hold the rope and force yourself to sit down, letting your body weight do the trick. He doesn't listen to me since he knows better. Until he gets there. Then he listens to me. We continue. Lee and Jessie see us on the monkey bar gym thing. Previously when I ran the 10K, I already told them that this year it seems harder. I think Jeremy is feeling it too.
The wind picks up and it gets colder. Jessie was using chemical hand warmers and since I got cold waiting for the start, she gave them to me. So glad she did...I'm running with them in my bare hands.
In the trails, I warm up a little. Interesting which obstacles they skip for the 5K. Oh well. We finally break out of the woods and head to the mud pit. The girls are no where to be found. Sucks. I was really hoping for a good picture of Jeremy in the mud. There aren't too many photogs on the course. Oh well. We head to the water.
We get to the new obstacle (2 walls to climb over) and he is told to grab a 50 pound medicine ball. He picks it up, takes it to the wall and throws it over. Climb over and repeat. Once done with the 2 walls, return the ball to the beginning.
This time, we go deeper in to the water. I go with him, trying to encourage him. I show him how to do it. He doesn't really listen. He's gotta find his own way. A guy there decides to swim the thing. Cool.
We are out and on way to the 45 degree wall. He goes over and through the finish line. Nice!
Still can't find the girls. We wait. I start shivering. We wait. I shiver some more. We wait. I shiver uncontrolably. We have them announce their names. Nothing.
I ask a stranger to call them and no answer. I try another stranger and Lee picks up. They are waiting for us next to one of my favorite obstacles: the one with the bands. Too bad the 5Kers skip that one. Lee heard me tell him about it and how to go through it. I didn't know he skips it. We join up and head to the car.
We get to the car and 2 young women are parked right in back of us. I get Jeremy to take his shoes and socks off and I don't remember if he changed his shirt too. We are cold so no pants change. He sits on a towel. My turn. Shoes and socks, long sleeve shirt, singlet and sleevies. I'm giving the girls a show. I was deliberating doing the pants too but my hands were not cooperating. I wave goodbye and tell them that the show is over. They laugh. I'm in the car.
Definitely got colder. It's either high 30's or low 40's but damage was done. The heat is on and so is the butt warmer. Elizabeth feeds me Orange slices and trail mix that we got at the race. Unfortunatly my hands are in a bad place. I can drive but things like bringing the food in my palm into my mouth are not working too well. Fine motor skills aren't there either. I'm not in a good place. Took a while but I got fine motor skills back with pain and tingling all over my arm. Sucks...
This was definitly a hard year... I didn't like the confusion and the no clock especially as my watch might have stopped but we did enjoy ourselves as usual.