Ice Ice Baby

Literally I am sitting in my first ever ice bath shivering trying to compose this post on my iTouch while shaking. Ahhhhh cold!!! 20 lb of ice.... Thank you Slade Runner (not his real name).

But let's go back we are going to Tarantino this and go back to the beginning of why is RunningBear75 turning blue and shivering? Well let's go back...

So workout in hotel gym (7/13) not that good. I did an hour on the elliptical (not a fan of that machine) I tried the treadmill but when the whole machine is shaking and ever foot fall is amplified THUMP! Thump! THUMP! And you are in a room the size of a shoe box kind of makes you a little self conscience so elliptical for an hour. Check.

Get back Thursday face time and great dinner with the family heavy dinner so no run. I practiced my corpus pose for Yoga but that was it.

Now today. Back to the HQ at work got in early, left late. No plans for tonight except I want to get
a good solid run in. Which made it perfect when Slade Runner texted me:
"Hey, you wanna do a hills run tonight? I need to get out but I have been way short on motivation."

Perfect!!! Now the last time I was out running with Slade was precrazy studying. He was also breaking into barefoot running so we were closer in pace than I know we are now.  I said yes anyways taking it as a challenge and I always learn something new or get some pointers or an amazing book recommendation(Born to Run (there is your shout out Slade!)) etc. Well I didn't think the man was going to kill me but it felt at one point he was going to succeed.


I challenge everyone reading to find a running friend who is a few levels ahead of you and on a light/rest day for them join them on a run. It is a great challenge. Especially on the uphills when you are sucking wind but have a friend on your side talking/storytelling cause they know where your energy is going but recognize that if they go quiet that little evil voice will be easier to hear. You know that voice. The voice that says: Ouch. My knee, it is too far, just start walking, come on just walk. You have been sitting for the last 9 months you are too out of practice.....EVIL little voice. So while you might not be able to fully focus on their story because mentally you are trying to convince your legs to keep churning a friend talking at your side is invaluable. Better than music in my opinion. 

I met Slade at his house and we jogged to the park to drop our water bottles and then started the hill loop. Oh man I was sucking wind. I don't think I walked any of the first loop other than a stretch break at the top of the second hill. Smaller strides, quicker turn over. Knees up. Head up. Breathe deep. Mentally, I was going okay one loop I'm good. I'm good. Okay one and done fine..... Nope we are doing two. 


Second loop, run up first hill, practice walking downhill landing on the balls of the foot then lightly running the flat, walking again. A quick stretch then we sprinted up the next. It was amazing. I would have soared over the top but had to wait for the cross traffic. I got goosebumps sprinting. Awesome. 


The jog back to the park not so hot. My back on the lower left spazzed once and we walked a bit but it was a good feeling to go out and get some hills in. You are able to do more than you think you are capable of doing. 

Map of the run.

So ice bath. A recommendation and why not. Sweating my behind off and its 100 degrees out so ice bath sounds ...refreshing. I told the guy at the gas station that my trainer recommended. White lie? Not really. But the look on his face definitely said "Wait, you have a trainer?". I have some ways to go.



Twenty pounds of ice and some cold water. That is how RunningBear75 ended up in an ice bath. Hopefully it helps in the morning. Cause it was freezing during.

Quick Lessons learned:
I need new socks.

Yeah that is for real.

Get out of cotton shirts and invest in some fabric that wicks the sweat away.


Chocolate Milk after a run is delicious!


Running with other people is a great way to push yourself.

My First Race

My first race, Warrior Dash,was in November 2010 and was done as a reward for sitting the first two parts of my certification. I have to admit I was motivated more by the concert and free beer on completion than the 5k itself but still had a blast and learned a lot about my first race.


1 hour, 2 miles. Even I don't run that slow.



First Lesson:

When the race directors say arrive an hour early add an extra hour. I made great time until the last two miles (see photo left). Thankfully even though I missed my wave I was still able to run.

Second Lesson:

Okay not a new lesson but one I had not experienced in awhile and no picture needed Port-a-Potties are gross and they only get worse throughout the day. Go at the gas station when you stop for gas or right when you get there. It is easier to maneuver clothes when dry and clean than wet and full of mud.

Third Lesson:
There is this thing called bag check and it can save you a long walk back to your car.

Fourth Lesson:
Packet pick up can be chaotic. Chips are something that goes on your shoe for timing and are not an after race snack. Be prepared to stab yourself with a safety pin once or twice. 

Ohhh that kind of chip. Drat. I'm hungry.


Fifth Lesson:
The walls you were stressing about are not as high as you imagined. The fire is.

Sixth Lesson:
Bring extra garbage bags. They can be used to hold dirty clothes, given out to new friends and are excellent seat protectors for the long drive home.

While my time was terrible, I walked away with what I wanted, a muddy fun time away from a windowless office with study material as thick as a phonebook. The race drew a social "Keep Austin Weird" crowd.  I loved the party attitude and wished I had a group to run with. I felt like I was left out of some of the fun by running solo.

If you plan on running Warrior Dash - I advise get a group together, no matter the fitness level or pace time dress up and have a blast. My favourite group during my start time was a group of about 12 friends running as the holidays. The Easter bunny was fast but Mardi Gras struggled so all the Holidays would meet at the obstacles but race the in between parts on their own. Great attitude and I think everyone walked away happy. Have fun get muddy, have a beer at the end, dance the cupid shuffle with your buffalo hat on and mug for the cameras. Embrace it, this is a race for a PBR not a PR.