Happy Trails

Check out my new toy! I can't wait to get out on the trails. Eekk!

:)

Lemon Drop 5k

Lululemon puts on this free 5k every September. The route kinda sucks, but everything else about it is a lot of fun. The only reason the route really sucks is because it's hilly and the road isn't closed off so you do need to be cautious. Lots of energy from the lulu staff so that's fun.

The obligatory pre-race photo at home.

I didn't know how this run would go mainly because I've been super sore since Tough Mudder (imagine that). I must have pulled a chest muscle because it hurts so bad, whaaa. Maybe I did that in yoga, because it started hurting on Thursday (after yoga), but I just can't imagine yoga causing this type of pain. But then maybe I'm completely wrong.

I finished the race in 27:33. Super happy with my time. Since I dropped out of the Marathon, I haven't really been running so much. I've been doing more yoga and it makes me happy.

Complimentary yoga after the race.

I tried the yoga, but the instructor was moving a bit too fast and I felt lost because I couldn't hear her. Also, my breast muscle wasn't feeling it, so I left. I like my yoga instructor at Indigo, so I'll just stick to that.

Tough Mudder

I was super nervous about this race... 11 miles plus obstacles. Scary obstacles, like jumping off a high platform, being submerged in ice cold water, get electrocuted in two separate obstacles, climbing, and lots of crawling.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous. I was afraid it was going to be a bit chilly (esp. to get into freezing water), but it was perfect.

Before photo.

We started in the 9:20 am wave and to even get to the start line, they make you climb over a wall. It was not easy, so it sort of set the tone for the rest of the day.

Ummm, not sure about this.

The first mile was pure running. I enjoyed the warm up because it eased my nerves. Then we started to play in the mud.

Having fun in the mud.

I most feared the "Walk the Plank" obstacle. I have a fear of heights and jumping into murky water. I hesitated for a good 10 seconds, and after the volunteer told me he'd push me off if I didn't jump, I went for it. My heart was pounding when I got out of the water.

Everyone was telling me I could do it.

Weeeee.

Other obstacles that I feared was getting shocked. It hurt, but it was bearable. I feared "Everest", but I made it up on the first try. The only obstacle that I didn't even attempt was "Berlin". It's just a really tall wall that you have to climb over. You definitely need help to get over it, but it looked like it just hurt. Plus, the last thing that I want to do is sprain an ankle. There were two walls, and Josh climbed both. He said it sucked, so I'm glad I skipped it. The "Arctic Enema" was probably one of my favorites. The pain was so deep, but it just felt good for some odd reason.

Team Pawlak at the Finish!

We earned our Tough Mudder headband and finished in 3 hours 45 minutes or so. Two days later, I am still majorly sore. It was a blast though and such an amazing challenge.

After mudder, we attended a friend's wedding and spent most of the night dancing. I made sure to sport my new headband :).

Woot!

Marathon Dropout

I signed up for the Mo' Cowbell Marathon, but I switched my registration status to Half-Marathon. I have been way too stressed out to run 26.2 miles. I had planned on running 16-20 with the training team this morning, but I accidentally slept in... I only did 6 on my own (it was raining). I'm just so bored with running. I've been taking a beginner yoga workshop every Wednesday and I LOVE it. Just what I need. It's so calming and I really enjoy it. I also brought my bike out of the basement, shined it up and use that on short trips around Soulard. I feel so free!!! Love it. Hope to get myself a better bike one of these days.

I may be a one-time marathoner, and I'm okay with that.