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Devil Dash Race Report #FitFluential #GirlsGoneSporty

There are clearly times when you can surprise yourself. Lately, I have been doing that quite a bit, in a good way! This past Saturday I ran the Devil Dash at Bootleg Canyon and I had to run it solo. It was not the plan but after my friend Angela (Sole Sister on the Run) became ill, and my other pal Stephanie had family obligations to attend to, there was no other choice.I decided that I needed to polish off my horns, get in there, and just get it done.

I must say, compared to the Urban Warrior this was a bit more challenging physically. At the Urban Warrior my main nemesis was the heat. Not the case with this race as it was pretty damn cold and windy on top of it. Luckily my hubby tagged along (OK I had to beg him a bit) because he was the one that gave me the idea to actually use the scarf they gave me to keep my ears warm.I may have just disregarded that item until after the race had he not been there.

I won't get into all the obstacles but I must tell you: the hills were killer. They don't call them Hells Hills Climb for nothing. There were also sections of the running portion that was hilly and very unstable (wishing for trail running shoes about now).

There were times that I had to walk and not run because of the course but also because of the people in front of me. There were areas that had backed up a bit and the section was too narrow and crazy to try and pass them.

Again, I did every obstacle and only got hung up on one really, Satan's Steeple. I am so not a fan of heights. Really not. So here is a picture of me trying to psych myself up.I am picturing Stephanie right about now and hearing her make her funny accents in my head saying, " Get a move on Zehner!" Then there is the voice of Angela, saying "You got this, piece of cake."

They were both right. It took a bit of coaching from hubby who was standing far right (not in picture) but I made it up and over. 

Then there was the issue I had with Plunge Into Hell. The guy in front of me couldn't figure out how to get under, which was easily done on one's belly, but he insisted on otherwise. So I held the wire for him and his gal. After a bit I just went ahead of them. As I hit the end though I had turned around and they were stuck at another wire at the very end so I held it for a brief bit and sure enough I sliced my finger. It still is sore but after  a trip to the first aid station, post beer of course, all was well with the world. 

The last obstacle that I was proud to say I nailed was the Stairway to Heaven. This was very much like the last obstacle at Urban Warrior so I knew I could do it. I did too. 

Pretty freaking proud of myself.

Despite the wind and cold, I loved this race and would do it again in a heart beat. It was both challenging and fun. Although I might have to kick it up a notch and wear some horns or something. It seems only right to do so.

Here are some more pictures (more on the way after hubby downloads them from his cell).

Slip-N-Slide time!

This Girl is On Fire - Alicia Keys (2013)

I'm an Urban Warrior! #Fitfluential #GirlsGoneSporty

They say that every now and then you have a moment that defines you. It not only shows you your weaknesses but also highlights your strengths. Yesterday I participated in the Urban Warrior Dash. It was the inaugural race held by the same folks that run the mud version of the Warrior Dash. This race may have been mud-free but was no less than challenging. I decided a few months ago to do this race, alone. As it got closer I got nervous, and asked a family member to go with me, but they were unable to. Fate wanted me to see this through on my own. The days leading up to the race had me a nervous wreck. I kept seeing photos on their Facebook Page and kept wondering if I had gotten in over my head.

Friday morning Ben and I dropped off our pup at doggie day care (insert sad face here) and began the drive to San Diego. A few hours later we were in San Diego, checked into our hotel (The Mariott at Gaslamp), and headed over to the packet pickup at Road Runner Sports. Cool store too. I picked up a pair of compression pants that felt fabulous post-race. Afterwards we headed back to our hotel to change and head out to dinner. We chose to eat at Toscana Cafe and Wine Bar. I had the Chicken Pesto Pasta with a margarita while Ben had the veal medallions. It was divine. We knew I needed to head to bed soon but couldn't resist seeing the view from the Altitude Sky Lounge atop our hotel. It did not disappoint. We each had a drink and then it ws time to call it a night.

It was finally race day. I was a bundle of nerves. I have run races by myself before but nothing like this. I kept closing my eyes and just picturing the finish. I repeated over and over "You can do this, piece of cake!" I remembered all the times my friends encouraged me on and I heard them now too.

Soon enough we were off. The first mile or so was solid running before we hit the first set of obstacles. Ben was later down in the course so I don't have any photos of those first two sets. The first group began with a rope suspended over poles that you had to climb under (flat on your belly). It was followed by the tire run and finished with the road block (a series of road baricades and planks you had to go up and over in alternating patterns). Luckily there was water after this but mistake number one on my part was not drinking more of it. I could already feel the heat of the morning hitting me and later it would be more of an issue. I had not run in warm weather in months so I think my body was not sure what to do yet to compensate.

 

The next set of obstacles were a net over planks that you had to duck under. This led to challenge number one for me: The Road Block. A series of walls in varying heights. Luckily a nice woman in front of me offered a hand to lift me up the highest one and I returned the favor for someone else. It was nice to see wveryone helping each other out even if they were a stranger.

 

I must say the obstacles were a nice "break" from running but I needed more water. They had enough water stations I just didn's use them as well as I should have early on. Later I would start to take two cups, but initally I only had one, and I think this led me to get dehydrated.

 

After that I have some photos so here are some highlights from the remainder of the course.

Looking to Ben for advice....

Man I hate heights!

Funniest picture of me at a race ever.

Also not a fan of dark enclosed places.

 

More heights, with a dingy dumspter below. It was nothing! :-)

 

Heading into the Satdium for Quad killer..up and down a flight of stadium stais...twice.

 

More freaking heights, but got it done.

You see me here encouraging another gal on.

 I sucked at this one, but got through it.

 

A well-deserved beer.

 

For the rest of the photos see my Run with K Facebook Page.

 

It was right after the above photo that we took off to head to the hotel. At first I felt fine. Tired but that was to be expected. I had a bit of a headache but figured that was likely from the sun. About five minutes into our walk back I felt nauseated. Ben thought may be I drank that beer too fast. Perhaps. I had some water after that but again just a small cup. I was so proud of what I had done that I completely forgot to do the things I needed to: rehydrate and refuel.

 

We got changed and then went off to lunch but it was a solid hour before we ate. All I had was a protein bar before the race and that beer after. I had a root beer with lunch (normally I skip soda but craved sugarat that point - is this a sign?). We decided to spend the day at Balboa Park and then maybe head to the San Diego Zoo. It was midway through this afternoon that I felt my head start to pound. I had my migraine meds in my purse and took those. I waited for them to kick in before taking any pain meds.

 

Even with the food at lunch and the sports drink I had at the park I still felt queasy and very thirsty. I soldiered through because I wanted to have some fun with Ben before we headed home the next day. After the zoo we headed back to the hotel to change again and then went to dinner at Royal Thai Cuisine. Despite the food being tasty, and me being hungry, I could not eat much. I was sick to my stomach. I so wanted to go to Ghiaradeli's for ice cream (my favorite spot at the Gaslamp Quarter) but that was out of the question. It was roughly 8 o'clock and I was back at the hotel in PJ's. I was asleep about thirty minutes later. I felt bad for Ben because we had planned on a nice night on the town but like a trooper he just took care of me. Made sure I had plenty to drink and then let me nod off. I slept until 7 AM. I woke up a few times in between, so it wasn't a solid sleep cycle, but nonetheless it was quite a bit of time. I still had a raging headache when I did wake up, so I took another migraine pill, and had a cup of coffee that Ben made for me.

 

This morning we had breakfast at Zanzibar Cafe. The tastiest breakfast was had there  - their Zanzibar Granola. Awesome! Then we headed home, and I have been feeling fine ever since.

 

Despite feeling sick since the race I loved this trip and the race itself was a blast. I am so proud that I was able to run this kind of race on my own and did pretty well too. I really CAN do anything I put my mind to. I have learned a valuable lesson too, don't forget to hydrate and refuel properly. One lesson I won't forget any time soon.