Beginning was a NIGHTMARE!!!!! Got up at 4am and left hotel feeling yuck in my belly .... it was pouring cats and dogs on the way... our plan to drink a protein shake for breakfast in the car failed when we were so consumed driving in the dark and rain that we forgot to make and drink them. We pull up to park in a grass field and its still pouring and then starts lightening. We make half a shake and choke it down because its all we could muster with the conditions and nerves. We had 7 minutes to board shuttle to the start and were forced to get out in the rain. We avoided puddles in the grass as long as possible but water was seeping in our shoes. Lightening continued and then struck the campground and snapped a tree within a few hundred feet of us and the thunder was the loudest I have ever heard in my 33 years of life. It was EXTREMELY TERRIFYING as we stand in water. Then beside the shuttle bus was nothing but 6 inch deep standing water and no way around it to board the bus. Everyone had to wade through to get on. So now our socks and shoes were 100% water logged. We had to pee so bad it was bringing tears to our eyes as we road in a bus with air conditioning blowing us as we were hungry, cold, had to pee, and soaked to the core. The ride up the mountain took 40 minutes to go 20 miles at about 20-30 mph because the bus could not go up the hill any faster. During the ride I realize that my sleep was not super great and my legs were just achy and not feeling fresh. We get there and I jet to the woods for relief as Christina has to stand in line for the porta-potties which was very long. Then it begins to drizzle again and I go to a covered porch as she holds umbrella and waits in line. Then we deicide we have enough time before the start so we might as well try to wring out our socks. So we take off our shoes and wring our socks out like washcloths. It at least kept us from squishing around as much. We then realize we are so thirsty and forgot our bottle of water. We are standing beside a gas station and then realize we have no means of money, no cash, or plastic. We knew there would be some aid stations but I practically had cotton mouth at this point from nerves and hustle and bustle. So we make it to the start and we attempt to warm up our legs a little. We could not hear any of the pre-race instructions except for at mile ten the dirt road is soupy and if you lose your bib to do something but we had no clue what he said. The air horn goes off and we start. The first 2 miles fly by and I was so glad to see the first aid station with water. The volunteer is holding out a cup and as we approach a lady just in front of me zigs over and snatches it and the volunteer looks at me sad and says sorry that was the last water we are so sorry. I was miffed to say the least. We forged on and to mile 4 and the next aid station and they had water and we began to feel more in control. Thank God it never rained during the race and we began to get in a groove and then it hit me that I had to pee again. I looked for a any way I could go and see a trail that forks off so I take off down the trail as others laugh at my adventure. It works out perfectly because the trail looped right back to the race course where i met right back up with Christina. From then on it went well. There were some hills at the beginning that were tough. My hips started feeling it at about mile 6 but at mile 7 the downhills got kinda steep and we just went for it. We ran about 4 minute per mile faster pace then we had been because just took off and let gravity takes its course. It was crazy but fun. We just started picking people off left and right. Everyone probably thought were crazy because its about mile 10 and people are starting to really struggle and we were just flying down the hills. Then it flattened out about mile 11 and it all caught up to me and so we walked for a minute up a huge hill and then as soon as we started back I realized I had excruciating pain in my right foot and I seriously thought it was a stress fracture and I was limp running until soon my left quad started burning so bad from the over compensation that I had to just bare the foot pain but then all the sudden it started to fade and we gutted it out to the finish. Overall we did have a great time but boy was our will tested at first. It was the hardest thing I have ever forced myself to do. We grew in huge ways today. It was good for us in hind sight. We can tackle anything now. We just kept reminding ourselves while we suffered in the beginning that at least we were alive and healthy and able to partake in this journey. We tried to find the positive in everything that happened. Even though my prayers for no rain seemed to not be answered they were on the course with no rain and I think God had put it together the way He wanted. We learned a lot today. Thanks for everyones support. Be blessed everyone!
