This and that: More from the HUFF

It’s been 37 hours since I crossed the finish line of the HUFF 50K relay, and I feel like I am still processing the entire event. Overcoming the mud, the water and my own fears and insecurities seems to have had a lasting effect – something I wasn’t expecting for a race that was not close to my personal distance record.

So bear with me as I share a bit more from the day.

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I think what made the day so, umm, special was the fact that I got to share it with these amazing women. So often we go to races with our own agenda and our own goals, and we lose out on the camaraderie of running. Taking on the HUFF as a team allowed us to share the good times, the bad times …

And a little nakedness.

When I say these women were amazing, it wasn’t just because they believed in me when I didn’t or that they were out there in the cold and dark rooting for me as if it was noon on a sunny day. No, these women were amazing because they handed me hot chocolate at the finish and helped me undress and redress in the tent. Let me tell you, there’s nothing to bring a group closer than underwear and trying to get on Recovery Socks.

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If you are appalled that I stripped down in the tent, don’t be. It was pretty common. In fact, one runner stripped down completely – as in L saw his bare bottom – and that was when the tent was crowded. I give him props for keeping his man parts toward the outside of the tent.

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Mark knows that I’ll do just about anything for a new pair of shoes. He just didn’t know that included running 10.5 miles in pools of water and ankle-deep mud.

I’m not sure if you can tell from the photo but my shoes were trashed after the race. Thankfully, I found the same shoes on sale at Running Warehouse and using Skinny Runner’s discount, got them for less than $60 shipped. Huzzah!

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I might have developed a strong affection for the course worker who went out of his way to make sure I finished safely but there was one guy who won my heart.

Ringo, a malamute-husky mix, ran the entire 50K with his owner and still had enough energy to socialize. It made me wish (sort of) that I had brought Denali.

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People like to preach the benefits of chocolate milk as a recovery drink. Pshaw. I have something better.

Cheeseburger Happy Meal with a Diet Coke – now that’s a combination of protein, carbs and fat that I can enjoy.

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Remember that video I showed you the other day, previewing the course?

Here’s what the course actually looked like:

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Other blog posts about the race:

Teammate L at My Story Chapter 2

Nurse with a Purse

See Meggie Run.

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Have you ever had an experience, race or otherwise, stick with you?

Friday love

Pre-workout breakfast: Mish-mash of cereal with skim milk and a banana
Workout: Ran 3.62 miles (average pace, 8:33) and 30 minutes of yoga

This morning, I got out of bed, stretched and prepared to hobble to the bathroom. Much to my surprise, I really didn't have to hobble. My legs were nearly pain-free - the first time in a week! It was so glorious to walk around the house, pouring my bowl of cereal (my newest obsession) and making my cup of coffee without creaking and crying.

Of course, the day's workout plan - run and Jackie Warner - threatened to make that glory just a thing of the past. So I made a decision. A good decision. I decided to take it easy. I did a short run and stretched out my legs with yoga.

Oh, rest. I love you. Almost as much as Friday.


Food. I have something wonderful going on. Very, very wonderful going on. Too bad I'm not going to give it away just yet ;)


Fitness. I complained about my blister. I've complained about sore legs. However, I have to say that things could have been a lot worse after the W.O.O.F. Who do I have to thank? The folks at Recovery Socks. I bought the pair at the RnR Chicago expo and since then, the pair have been a post-long run recovery miracle. I rarely gimp around after big runs and only complain that my "butt" hurts. (It's really the very top of my hamstring where my thigh meets my booty.) If you don't have these - or other compression socks - you need them.


Life. You might hate me when I tell you this. Really, you might. I don't do laundry - at least not often. I also do about a third of the dishes and touch the vacuum once every other month. Why? Because I don't have to. Mark picks up a huge amount of my slack around the house as long as I provide him with tasty, tasty meals. This morning, for instance, he unloaded the dishwasher and started a load of laundry. He did ask me to put the wash in the dryer but it's a small price to pay for such a lovely husband.

To thank him, I'm going to drag myself (ha!) to "Due Date" this weekend and possibly the Indian buffet. Whose doing something fun?