And the race starts tomorrow!

We’re on the bus ride out to Buena Vista and decided to quickly catch up on the blog. Obviously, life was pretty crazy over the summer between school, races, and kids on vacation. We did manage to keep up on the running though! At the end of June, Tamaria and I ventured up Mt. Si twice…in a row…on the same day. We picked a Friday morning, hoping to avoid large crowds, and managed to hike the 4000 elevation up and back down, twice, for a total time under 5 hours. Ironically, Tamaria and I happened to dress like twins that day; with matching black shorts, pink tanks and compression socks.  We heard many times “You’re doing this again? Followed by - Are you guys twins?” We felt a little more comfortable about attempting the overall elevation gain TransRockies had ready for us.

                Towards the end of July we hit a milestone: the day neither of us felt like running. Somehow we had managed to offset days – Tamaria would be up for the run when I wanted to lie down on the trail and vice versa.  We made it 6 miles into our Tiger mountain loop and called it a day – 12 miles and breakfast at Denny’s sounded so much better than being on the dark damp trail. (And it was; breakfast at Denny’s was AWESOME).

                The next weekend we were back at Tiger Mountain to once again attempt our 23 mile loop. We did it…with many curse words mixed in along Poo Poo Trail. This is definitely NOT our favorite loop despite what the books call it. Our celebration was pie at Sherri’s….lots of pie at Sherri’s. We had one more weekend of long runs and then it was taper time!

                That next weekend happened to be Ragnar. For those of you that haven’t discovered or heard us talk about Ragnar, it’s a 200 mile race from Blaine to Langley. Teams start in the morning and one person runs to an exchange where another team member takes over…and you keep this up until you finish 200 miles later. Sounds awesome, right? With all this distance running we decided to do an ultra team this year (6 instead of 12 runners). I wasn’t able to start with the team because of a school conflict but I was VERY EXCITED to see them that afternoon and start my 16 miles of night running. We had some injuries, upset stomachs, muscle aches and a possible case of the flu but 30 hours after the start, we conquered another Ragnar.

                After Ragnar we focused on enjoying the taper with a few sets of stairs, one more trip up Mt. Si (in a record time for us of 2 hours), and one very hot run in the 90’s before leaving for Colorado. And the adventure continues….. J

                Friday August 10^th we shoved all but the kitchen sink in bags and headed to the airport.  We boarded our flight at 5:30pm for Denver, CO.  Laura had homework to finish up her quarter and I had a very important magazine to read during the 2 hour flight.  Once we arrived in Denver, we headed to Avis car rental to check in and pick up the compact car.  To our amazement, a compact car in Denver is not what a compact car is in Seattle; Parking spot U22 held a Ford Flex.  (Laura and I loved our Ford Flex for 3 days!!)  Laura navigated as I drove us to Castle Rock, CO where Susan and Patrick Malone opened their home to us.  Good thing the only place we got lost was in their neighborhood.  Humming Bird Drive, we will conquer you someday…..

                Saturday August 11^th – Laura and I slept in a bit, thoroughly enjoying the Tempurpedic bed that was ours for our stay.  After getting a slow start, we headed to Pikes Peak to see what 14+ thousand feet had to offer.  Upon our arrival to the base of Pikes Peak, there was a ton of trucks and campers…..what was going on?  We asked the Ranger, WTF?, and found out it was the Pikes Peak Hill Climb; a motorcycle and sports car race.  Wow, some very expensive toys! 

After making it to the top, car sick and all, we ran to the gift shop…..dizzy, fuzzy headed, holy sh*t!  The cure - a 14+thousand feet fresh made donut.  Another few laps around the parking lot, a mile hike and a lot of panting – time for another donut and to head back to 8,000ft.  Amazing how 12 hours after arrival, 8,000ft felt great.  Later that night, Laura and I treated ourselves to a movie – The Bourne Legacy.  We are ready to fight any bears that come our way!!

                Sunday August 12^th – Mt. Evans and highest highway in the US.  We got up and headed out for our second day of acclimation training – 14+thousand feet.  Beautiful is the word to describe the drive up to the summit.  The road; narrow and no guard rails to stop you from the STEEP drop offs if your car……  We saw a couple running up the last 5miles to the top, ugh, we bow down!  Mountain goats and marmots greeted us at the summit.  Breathtaking is the word to describe the views.  Did you know it smells like bacon up there!?  Yup, it does!  Three people made breakfast while enjoying the views.  After taking some pictures and talking with people, it was time to head back down.  We felt a bit more confident that maybe we could take on the TransRockies!

                Monday August 13^th – Here we are on the bus heading to Buena Vista.  We have met some other teams and some of them are from home – B’ham is in the house!!

Even Reality Starts Run

Check out who will be running TRR with us!  Well, lets be honest, he will be having a massage and a nap way before we cross the finish line.....
http://www.examiner.com/article/reality-tv-star-ryan-sutter-will-do-6-day-gore-tex-transrockies-run-for-charity

Laura and I are 73% of the way to meeting our fundraising goal. This is the 23mile of the marathon, we have some so far...but the last push is the hardest.  Please, dig deep one last time and donate $15 to support a mile.  We appreciate all the love and support we have and continue to get on our journey. 

7 weeks until we get on a plane for Colorado, WOW!  Our thoughts and hearts go out to those in Colorado at this time.  The forest fires are taking a toll on many.  Hopefully they will be under control soon.  <3

A Preview Of What's To Come

Stage 2 preview of the 2012 GORE-TEXⓇ TransRockies Run courtesy of The Running Martins!  Check out her watch, it shows the elevation.  

As I said on FB, I had a few tears while watching this video.  A mixture of excitement and fear has really set in.  69 days until the first day of the race!!  How fast time if flying..... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_EJc97fyHYQ#! 

Red Devil 25K

June 2/3, Cashmere, WA (Red Devil 25k) – 15.5 miles.  Laura and I set off for Cashmere/Wenatchee about 10:30am on June 2.  We had the wonderful pleasure of having Megan Weed on our adventure.  Megan was kind enough to drive our asses all over the central part of Washington.  (She may have a whole other side of this adventure to tell!)  While Laura “studied” for her finals in the backseat, Megan and I had time to chat and catch up.  2.5 hours later, we arrived at Lincoln Rock State Park – home for the night.  I had to say a few choice words when I realized I forgot the Discover Pass in my car.  Grrrrr!!  After paying the $10 DP fee, setting up our condo, unloading the car, putting the camp chairs up and filling the water cooler; it was time to relax and nosh.  Mother Nature was kind to us over there.  She provided a nice breeze and warm sunshine – aaaahhhh!

Soon, it was time to head into town Wenatchee and pick up our race packets.  If you have learned anything about Laura and I, it’s we consume coffee and ice cream for our pre/post run “rewards”.  Megan had the pleasure of being a part of this…..debauchery.  Megan also had the pleasure of seeing the other side of the tracks…….

Back at camp, we feasted on pasta dinner made by Megan.  YUMMY!!  As the sun set, the breeze turned to a wind.  We decided it was a good time to say goodnight to good ‘ol Abe and head for the tent.  Don’t be fooled, it wasn’t time to sleep.  It was time to play some Yatzee!  Megan and I might never play Yatzee with Laura again.  Let it be known, Laura Sanderson is a shark!  J  After 3 rounds, and Laura winning, Megan and I said she couldn’t play anymore.  One more round of Yatzee, then it was lights out.  I have to pause a moment to give a shout out the campers that started their car and left it running 20 minutes before they left at Midnight.  Awesome, we love you!

6am – wake up, get dressed, make breakfast, take down campsite, pack up and head to the trailhead.  Yeah, the heading to the trailhead wasn’t that simple.  Megan was awesome!  She took Laura and me in stride and got us there in plenty of time.  (I would have yelled and told the two of us to get out and find our own Fing way there.)

9am – Three, Two, One, GO!  Up, up, up!  This was a challenging race.  We started out on a wider trail, crossed over two large streams and then started the single track uphill.  Laura took the lead position and set the pace.  Two miles into the race we hit a tough spot; my calves were burning out and I couldn’t find a good pace, Laura was struggling and “couldn’t get out of her head”.   We had to make an adjustment, so I took lead.  For the next 8 miles, I felt great and Laura hung in there.  Right around mile 11 is when we hit our second tough spot.  Laura took the lead and I followed.  It was my turn to keep my eyes on her knowing she would get me to the end.  As always, she did!  Laura and I splashed through those two large steams and crossed the finish line in 3:01, placing second in the team division!  Woot!

Three things need to be noted about this race.

1.        We have no pictures because we pushed through this race and didn’t stop.

2.       Laura and I ran 57 minutes faster than we had the weekend before on Tiger Mt.  (Maybe that is why I felt sick to my stomach at miles 14-15)

3.       We found out about a coast to coast race in Costa Rica…….

Heading to Cashmere, WA

We are headed to Cashmere, WA for the Red Devil 25K on Sunday.  Laura and I are running as a team for this event.  I will post details of this trip early next week.  In the mean time, check out the race details here
http://www.runwenatchee.com/event/2012-red-devil-25k-trail-run-challenge-presented-by-runwenatchee/

Tiger, Twisp and Mt. Si…..OH MY!

How is it the middle of May?!  Laura and I have entered the three month countdown to the TransRockies run.  In roughly 82 days, we will depart for Colorado.  We will begin the last phase of our training as well as fundraising.  In order to meet our goal, Laura and I need to raise another $2000.  We ask that anyone who wants to donate, please do!  Every dollar helps us reach our goal, no donation is too small.  Our last fundraising “event” is Sponsor a Mile. https://www.givingfirst.org/trrsos2012  To sponsor a mile, make a donation of $15 or more. Every $15 donation = 1 mile supported. Laura and I will cover 120miles in 6 days. Take a look at the course we will be running, we need your support!! (Scroll towards the end of the page to see the map of each day) http://transrockies-run.com/gore-tex-transrockies-run-event-info/route-stages-maps/

*** Send an email to trr2012@gmail.com and let us know what mile(s) you are supporting. ****

Since the last update we have done more running (shocking!).  We have covered new ground in parts of Washington that we have never been to before.  

April 15, Tiger Mt. – 14 miles.  This was a tough run, 3 miles straight up to the top of Summit #1.  We trekked around a bit, but decided to head back down to run around Tradition Lake.  This nice flat trail leads us to the Puget Power trail.  Not being a fan of gravel trail, we quickly made an exit onto the Swamp Trail.  Swamp Trail is an awesome half mile loop that is perfect for the family!  This endearing child-oriented path has charming storyboards along the trail tell the adventures of Zoe, a young raccoon who encounters helpful animals while watching out for the Evil Swamp Monster that is rumored to live in the forest.  Thankfully, Laura and I made it out alive!  Continuing on, we hit Big Tree Trail and Adventure Trail.  It was time to turn around, heading back the way we just came, and head for the car.  It would not be an adventure if I didn’t trip and fall… another sail through the air and sliding into home base kind of fall (SAFE!).  F you Adventure trail!

Team Sole Sisters & 50K Laura

April 22, Mt. Si Relay & 50K.  We decided to shake things up!  I ran with some of my favorite running peeps and participated in the Mt. Si Relay.  Team Sole Sisters – Christine McMann (Captain), Megan Weed, Kelly Brennan, Adrienne Wills and I – covered 60 miles around the North Bend/Mt. Si area.  We had a blast!  We called it Baby Ragnar.  It was so fun to be with a bunch of ladies who love to run and all that goes along with running/being in a car for hours on end.  Sole Sisters completed the course in 8:28 hours – which is an average of an 8:28min/mile pace, ha!

Laura did her first ultra – 50K (that is why she wasn’t on the relay team)!  She had an awesome race.  She finished 2^nd in her age group and 9^th out of 64 runners!  Way to go Laura!! 

Hot Ladies by a Hot tub!

After the relay we went to Christine McMann's house for an after party.  Awesome food, good company and a hot tub!!   

April 28 – We ran…not sure of the mileage or where, but we ran.

She'll stretch anywhere

Unicorn socks!

May 5^th, Bridle Trails - 20 miles.  This was a road/trail run for Cinco de Mayo.  It was not as flat as we thought.  The highlight was finishing before noon.  Laura and I were not sure what to do with ourselves.  We decided pancakes, eggs and bacon for brunch was a good way to celebrate.

May 6^th – 10 miles - Lake Union.  After a long run and a party at Megan Weed and Jeff Johnson’s house the day before, Laura and I did a short recovery run around Lake Union.  We also went for a “dip” in the lake for a post run ice bath.

May 11 & 12^th, Twisp, WA, Sunflower Marathon – 26.2miles.  On Friday May 11, Laura and I headed over to Twisp, WA.  The journey over was hysterical!  We couldn’t quite get the route we wanted to drive right.  We stopped in Leavenworth to have ice cream, coffee and switch drivers.  Laura had some homework that needed to be completed by that evening.  I am glad we stopped, that is where I purchased my AWESOME new cup.  Wonder Woman!  On the road again we took yet another wrong turn….weaving our way to Winthrop.  Once to Winthrop, we picked up our race packet and had our pre-race dinner.  Laura and I decided it would be a good idea to add some calories to our diet and find some dessert – mud pie.  I am not sure what was better, the conversation at the table behind us or the mud pie.  “What is a tostada?  What is a burrito? Fajita?”  With full stomachs, we left Winthrop and ventured 40miles back to Okanogan where we stayed the night with some family.  Thanks Polly, Sterling, Alexis and Lindsey!

Laura and I started the morning at 5am.  We left promptly at 6am to drive the 40miles out to Twisp where the shuttle bus would pick us up. From Twisp, it is about a half hour to Mazama where the start line was.  It was a cool morning, but the sun was shining.  We were in for a warm day…..  The gun went off at 8:30am.  Did I mention that I was sick with a headcold??  I was feeling ok, all things considered.  The first 7 miles of the race – awesome!  Then came the next 6 and it started to get warm. Laura and I had been running in the sun for a couple hours by that point.  At mile 14, I ran out of water and had two miles ahead of me before I could refill my pack.  We eventually made it, put more water in my pack and started up one of the two hills that were before us.  After reaching the top of the second hill, I hit my wall.  I was the three year old in the back seat asking if we were there yet.  Lots of swearing at the sage brush that scratched my legs and contemplating just laying down on the trail.  Laura was and awesome teammate and kept me going.  At mile 25, we hit the descent!  The trail leads straight down, down, down to the finish.  Trash the quads!!  Laura and I crossed the finish line under 5 hours.  That was total time out there which included; taking pictures, filling up water pack, taking a few breaks at the aid stations and a pee break!  7/8^th in our age group and 42/43 out of 105 overall.  Damn good if you ask me for newbies :)

Laura running along

May 19^th, Mt. Si – 8 miles.  Recovery weekends are awesome!  Laura and I “power hiked” up Mt. Si and ran back down.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.  We finished in just over two hours.  Total elevation gain is 3700ft.  

May 20^th, Mercer Island – 5miles + stairs.  Megan Weed and Jeff Johnson joined me for stair climbing.  It is always good to hang out with them.  They may feel differently about the time they spend with me J xoxox 

We Have Been Running

Run, Run, Run….
There have been a few runs that I have ventured out on with and without Laura over the past month.  Some have been very tough, others have been smokin’ fast.  Guess which ones I like the best :)  Let me give you a quick update of some of the runs.

March 23, Blanchard Hill - 12 miles.  Laura and I headed up north to Bellingham/Mt. Baker.  As Laura drove, I looked through “50 Trail Runs in Washington” for a spot to run.  Blanchard Hill: Lily and Lizard Lake Trails would provide us with an 11mile loop, leaving us a mile short of our goal.  We always find a way to tack on mileage…..   After running this way and that along the trail, we hit snow.

Too much snow to try and navigate through safely, we went the other direction.  Laura and I came off the trail and ran on the dirt road, nowhere near completing the 11 mile loop.  We hit the dirt service road, running uphill, turn around, downhill, trail then back to the car – with still a mile left to make up.  DANG IT!  Down the hill a ½ mile, turnaround and come back up; phew we made it!  It was a good run, got some sun and checked it off as another run completed. 
It was time to make our way to Mt. Baker for the night, but first we needed to make our post run coffee stop.  We went to Woods located inside the Haggen’s store.  Since we were hungry and at Haggen's, might as well get some food, right?  That is where we found Half Pops - YUMMY!  http://halfpops.com/  Try it, you’ll like it! 

March 24, Chuckanut Mt. – 22 miles.  Laura and I had our asses handed to us.  The hardest run we have had so far.  Whose idea was this?  (Laura’s….and since I update this blog, I can tell whatever story I want.)  Per our usual, we set out with all the intentions to follow the trail…. We missed the turn off for a fairly significant portion of the trail (NOT well marked).  We made a loop that required us to run up a very LONG and STEEP forest road, twice.  That might be why Laura thought this sign said “Café Ahead”.

Canada in the distance

We did make it to the top of Chuckanut Mt and had an amazing view as our reward.  Laura and I finished up on the interurban trail of Bellingham managing to have a few 8:30s on very tired legs.



March 31, Puget Power Line Trail to Redmond Watershed – 22 miles.  Rain, rain, rain while running, running, running.  It poured the entire 4 hours we were out.  It was my worst run.  I don’t want to talk about it…….

I thought about it.....

April 3, Rockford Bay “Loop” in Coeur d'Alene, ID – 10 miles, uphill both ways.  I was in Spokane with the kids on “Spring Break”.  I took advantage of Grandma & Grandpa around :)  I love this loop and some of you have also had the pleasure of running it.  I was amazed at how easy it was to run.  Proves how far I have come through this training.  I look forward to this run again in the coming months.



April 7, farming roads in Reardan, WA – 22miles + not 100% of mileage on the route = 25miles.

Euclid Road

Get MOOOVING

I started off with a 6 mile run with my sister-in-law, Denise.  From “downtown” Reardan, I took off back to her house.  I knew it was around 10 miles to her house, so I needed to make up some miles along the way to hit 22.  Well…you know how it ends.

Mountains

This was passed on to Laura and I.  Thought I would share :)  See you at the top!

Mountains have always captured our imaginations, calling us to scale their heights, to circle and worship at their feet, and to pay homage to their greatness. Mountains can be seen from thousands of miles away, and if we are lucky enough to be on top of one, we can see great stretches of the surrounding earth. As a result, mountains symbolize vision, the ability to rise above the adjacent lowlands and see beyond our immediate vicinity. From the top of the mountain, we are able to witness life from a new perspective, cities and towns that seem so large when we are in them look tiny. We can take the whole thing in with a single glance, regaining our composure and our sense of proportion as we realize how much bigger this world is than we sometimes remember it to be.

Mountains are almost always considered holy and spiritual places, and the energy at the top of a mountain is undeniably unique. When we are on top of a mountain, it is as if we have ascended to an alternate realm, one in which the air is purer and the energy lighter. Many a human being has climbed to the top of a mountain in order to connect with a higher source of understanding, and many have come back down feeling stronger and wiser. Whenever we are feeling trapped or limited in our vision, a trip to our nearest mountain may be just the cure we need.

There’s a reason that mountain views are so highly prized in this world, and it is because, even from a distance, mountains remind us of how small we are, which often comes as a wonderful relief. In addition, they illustrate our ability to connect with higher energy. As they rise up from the earth, sometimes disappearing in the clouds that gather around them, they are a visual symbol of earth reaching up into the heavens. Whether we have a mountain view out of our window or just a photograph of a mountain where we see it every day, we can rely on these earthly giants to provide inspiration, vision, and a daily reminder of our humble place in the grand scheme of life.

Happy Birthday

Yeah, it's my birthday today!!  Unfortunately, I am celebrating with a 2-1/2 year old that is tossing his cookies.  I have run out of hot water because I have done so many loads of laundry and run 3 baths.  Sheesh.  Welcome, 35, welcome.  You may trying to get the best of me today, but I will show you!  I am going to rock 35 - Woot!

Spring Has Sprung

On March 11, Laura and I ran the Redmond Watershed half marathon.  NW Trails was the organization that put on this event.  As always, there were great volunteers working and cheering along the course.  Laura and I had a surprise when we arrived to the start line; Angie Brown was there to wish us good luck.  She found a few key spots along the trail to give us cheers of encouragement.  It is always great to see familiar face during a run.  Next along the route we found Dave and Alex.  They were there to cheer us on to the finish line.  Hugs!

The Redmond Watershed trails are considered to be fast as far as trail running goes.  And thanks to Laura stress running (and a few “kills”) we managed to finish in less than 2 hours!  We came in at 1:58, placing 3/4 out of the females that ran the half marathon.  Whoo hoo!  What a confidence booster.   Instead of a medal, we were each handed two cartons of chocolate milk from our friends Megan Weed and Jeff Johnson.  (Shout out to McKenzie and Griffin too - Thanks kids for braving the boring race and cold to say hi!)  I will that over a medal any day.  (And Walkers Shortbread with Nutella spread on top.)

Friday, March 16^th, Laura and I knocked out 14 miles around my hood.  We ran from my house in Kirkland, up to Woodinville to hit a little bit of the Tolt Pipeline, connected with the Lake Sammamish trail into Redmond and followed Willows road back to my house.  Saturday we took a break from running so Laura could celebrate her favorite holiday.  Sunday, I was left to run solo as Laura hit Deception Pass for a run.  I was lacking motivation.  I resolved the issue by going with the family to the Newcastle YMCA and running home.  Thank you to Newcastle, Bellevue and Kirkland for the 14 miles of gradual uphill.  Nano, I can't forget about you and your rocking playlist you supplied me with.

This weekend Laura and I will cover some new ground.  Friday we will put our miles on in Discovery Park.  We have run a few routes that have included Discovery Park, but not all of our miles have started and finished there.  I am sure we will find a new trail or two.  Saturday we will be in Bellingham to run on Chuckanut Mountain.  I am sure it will bring exciting new challenges and rewards.

Fundraising – we are still trucking along.  We hope to raise another $1000 in the next 5 weeks.  Please stay tuned for our next event.  If you can’t wait to hear about our next event, don’t worry!  You can still make a donation.  Check out the donation button to your right à it’s waiting for you to click on it :)

Thanks for all your support!  ~Tamaria & Laura

Another 20 miler and half marathon?!

Tomorrow, Laura and I will set off to run yet another 20 miles.  We will start at the Bellevue P&R @ 7:00am.  From there we will hit the I-90 trail and follow it onto Coal Creek Parkway.  A little over a mile later, on the right hand side (going east) is the entrance to the Coal Creek Trail.  The Coal Creek Trail is 2.6 miles and will connect us to the Red Town trailhead on Cougar Mountain.  The plan is to make a loop on the following trails; Red Town, Quarry, Fred's Railroad, Klondike Swamp, Coyote, and Cave Hole.  If all goes well, we will end back on the Coal Creek Trail and heading back to the Bellevue P&R.  Don't worry, if we get lost we have a map! 

Sunday morning is the Redmond Watershed Half Marathon.  This will be our first trail race with NW Trails.  Start time is 9:30am.  Come on out and cheer us on!  http://www.nwtrailruns.com/content/spring-run-fun-redmond-watershed

Happy Friday!

Mud, Mud and More Mud

Laura and I completed our first 20 mile trail run and race on Sunday Feb. 26th.  The race was Lord Hill in Monroe and put on by Evergreen Trail Runs (http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/).
It was a cold morning and early start - 7:30.  I would like to say that everything went off without a hitch....but that wouldn't be the truth.  As I drove into the park, I realized I had forgotten my hand-held water bottle.  Thankfully, I had thrown another water bottle in the car and wouldn't be stuck without one - but it wasn't my hand-held.  This of course threw my mental game off.  I was caught unprepared.
Off to the start line, listen to the safety briefing, pick up race bibs, porta potty stop; we are ready!  OH NO!  Laura forgot to put on her Garmin.  We race back to the car to begin the search.  I see things being tossed around in the car, then Laura standing up saying, "It's in my purse on your counter at home!  Grrr!"  We would have to use a regular watch to clock our time.  Hmmm, strike 2. 
I know, you non-runners are thinking - all this over having to use a "regular" water bottle and "regular" watch?  Yup, we are now going into this race mentally wonky.  We have been thrown off from whatever ritual we have in place on race day.  We collected ourselves and started the race.  Just seconds after crossing the start line, I dropped the car key in the mud.  Strike 3....not even a tenth of a mile in. Had we ever run a race before this one??
OK!  It was out of our systems and we were sure to have a great race.  Bonus side to all of this we didn't start straight up hill!  That came a half mile later.  Laura and I made our way up a few hills before we rounded a corner and met LORD HILL.  These pictures will do no justice to how steep this hill really is.  Laura and I had to climb this hill twice!!
 
After we got over Lord Hill, there was a stretch of flat before we hit the second hill.  Laura and I named it baby Lord Hill.  It was tough, but not as vertical. We then had the challenge of navigating the backside of the hill.  Mud + Downhill = Slipping and Sliding.  It was just as much work making our way down.  Taking a left into the forest presented dryer trail and some gravel.  About 5 miles out was the turn around point and aid station.  We topped off our water bottles and had a snack.  (Yeah for volunteers!!)
Next, it was time to hit the West Loop.  Laura and I had run this portion of the course two weeks ago.  We were already dreading it.  But to our surprise, it was even harder this time.  I cannot tell you how much muck, mud and flowing water was on the trail.  It was not only physically challenging, but mentally as well.  Constant eyes on the trail and planning the next step.  But through all of this, Laura and I had high spirits.  We had some good laughs and fun conversation.  Yup, we were those runners.  Talking and having a good time.....Damn us!
We traversed the next two miles through more mud, up another hill, splashing in more puddles and streams and up one more hill.  Hallalujuah, it was a mile down hill to the start/finish line.  Laura and I made it 10 miles!!  We did this entire route a second time to complete the 20 miles.
All in all, Laura and I couldn't have asked for a better run.  We finished in 4:09 - and that included aid stations breaks and a porta potty visit.  Placing in 7th & 8th out of 25 women that ran the 20 miles - impressive if I do say so myself!
This picture is our second time up this hill - we owned it!