obstacles or not.

Mom and I had driven to the course the day before.

We checked out all the obstacles and even did a little test run through the obstacles.

It was overcast that day but not raining.

It was going to be fun.

It started to rain that night. The next morning, it was still raining...hard.

But, we were ready for this 5k...rain or not. Our first 5k obstacle course run.

Staying under shelter till the last minute, all the runners went to their marks, got set, and went!

I was wearing my rain jacket with the hood on but that hood came off within the first 100 yards. 

To much hassle keeping it out of my eyes.

We ran up the hill and came down. My app told me that I had just clocked a 9-point-something-minute mile. 

"Really?? That is like, fast for me. And that totally didn't seem like a 9-something minute mile."

This was good.

Mom and the sister had already left me in the dust (*ahem* Rain) as I approached the first obstacle.

The tires on the ground.

Jumping through the tires and stepping high, I got through the obstacle with no problems.

(whew.)

Obstacle number two:

The tunnel pipes.

There is definitely advantages of being short. 

I was able to just bend down and walk through the tunnel without having to crawl.

(score!)

Obstacle number three:

We were supposed to cross over a shallow part of the creek, but due to all the rain, they rerouted us up a steep hill and back down it. 

Personally, I wanted to cross the creek.

(I mean really peoples, live life on the adventuresome side ;p)

Obstacle number four:

The orange barrels with green caution tape weaved over the top.

Another blessing of being a shorty. I was able just to bend down and walk through. Others had to bend all the way over and walk on their hands with their legs straight with their bottoms in the air.

Obstacle number five:

Jumping the white poles.

Yup, totally felt like an English rider doing this one.

(wait, it's the horse that jumps them isn't it?)

Obstacle number six:

Climbing up and over the wooden crates.

These were actually much more stable than they look. This obstacle was probably one of my favorites.

Obstacle number seven:

After running UP a red-mud embankment, we had to crawl on top of and over three sets of round hay bales.

We kind of cheated.

Daddy was there to give us a boost up when we arrived.

(yes, he totally gets the best-daddy-award for standing out in the rain and letting us step our muddy shoes in his hands.)

After the hay bales, we had a little rest and were able to just run.

A little while later, we came up on our next obstacle. 

One that we didn't know that we would have.

The stadium bleachers.

We were able to run up and down TWICE slippery stadium seating stairs.

Yup, now that was adventuresome.

Completing the steps, we were on our way again.

The rain started pouring harder and I really thought that my contacts would pop out any minute.

I pulled my hood back on my head.

The next obstacle was running down another steep embankment and continuing down a trail by the creek. 

At the end, we had to climbed up a set of six tires to get back up to the main course.

We carried on.

We then ran through a herb garden, weaving in and out of the flower beds.

All of the volunteers were so encouraging and helpful, but one particular volunteer at the herb garden was too encouraging:

"You only have .8 miles left! You can do it!"

Those were the best words I had heard all day. 

=)

I continue to run the rest of the course.

Sidewalks and bridges are a breeze compared to the fabulous obstacles.

Approaching the finish line, I spot him in the distance.

My daddy.

(Y'all he is like, the bomb dot com. 

I mean helping us over the hay in the pouring rain and cheering us across the finish line? Yeah.)

He was standing there talking to the policeman while he was directing traffic like it was the most beautiful, sunshiny day in history. Who cares it was raining cats and dogs.

As I approached, he cheered me across the road and across the finish line as I sprinted to the finish.

Mom and sister were cheering me on from the porch. ;)

That 35:06 never felt so good.

(oh yeah, and somewhere in the middle of my run, my app cut off so I have no idea of how fast I ran my other miles. 

Not. Good. 

That is probably one of a runners worse nightmares. A not-working running app. Hehe!

Oh well.)

We changed our drenched clothes and hung out in the Chamber of Commerce building awaiting the results and awards.

Door prizes were first. 

And low-and-behold I was the very first name to be called out

Chappy's Deli gift card.

Oh yes!

Awards came next:

Mom: 1st Place Overall Master (40 and older) Female

(woot! woot! go mom!!)

Sister: 3rd Place Overall Female

(amazing, sister!)

Me: 1st place in my age category

(i had no competition. i was the only one.)

Oh yeah. 

One more thing.

Thank goodness for waterproof mascara.

=)

Conquer the Creek Adventure Run 5k Stats:

Total: 35:06

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 1st (I was the only one in my age category)

Overall Place: 27th out of 72 runners