We embraced the SUC

I am embraced the SUC, the first annual Springfield Urban Warrior Challenge. It was definitely the most intense and fun race I have ever been a part of. After 11 weeks of training, I was definitely prepared but it was still super tough. It was a 12.4 K (7.7 miles) with 15 obstacles throughout Missouri State Campus, Fasnight Park, Jordan Valley, Downtown Springfield and Phelps Grove. I joined a team of a few coworkers (Dave, Hugo and Lauren) and our new friend from the SUC training class Julie. Besides a little soreness in my legs I feel pretty great today, I have a lot of bruises on my arms and wrists but overall I survived pretty unharmed! I feel very blessed that my family came out to support me and I could see them cheering me on at most of the obstacles. I honestly couldn't have done this with out their help over these past few weeks with training. Thanks guys! I hope to do it again next year and hopefully on a team with my husband who hope to compete as well!
My Favorite Obstacle: the 1 mile pitch dark run through the underground tunnel. We used headlamps but it was very dark and wet.

My Least Favorite/Most challenging Obstacle: it was a tie between the 40 pound sandbag carry up & down the parking garage and the monkey bars.

The Individual Results:
Finishing Time: 1 hour 59 minutes 57 second 
Overall Place: 110th out of 338 total competitors (87 women, 251 men)
Female Place: 12th out of 87
Female Age Place (30-29): 8th out of 39

all results here: https://www.ozarkraces.com/results/default.aspx?event=20372&r=4967

Here are a ton of pics our wonderful supporters took while cheering us on.

Let's do this!

after our first obstacle in the parking garage

 

 

Dave crossing the finish line

Julie crossing the finish line

 

At the finish line

Hugo crossing the finish line

 

Lauren, me and Julie

 

Sawyer & Evan playing at the finish line

 

 

Instead of medals they gave personalized dog tags, awesome!

my dirty number after the race

messy mom

SUC Training: FINAL WEEK 11

Packets arrived, no backing out now

It's my final week and I am definitely ready. I thought I would honestly be afraid as I count down the final days but I am actually anxious with excitement. They have been releasing a lot more info on the challenges that will be involved in the 1st Annual Springfield Urban Warrior Challenge like running the stairs at Hammons Field, climbing through dumpsters and a dark 1 mile run through an underground tunnel. All of which, sound so much fun to me. Here's a video KSPR & the Newsleader featured:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=866832658687&set=o.384958424912024&type=2&theater
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130402/NEWS01/304020037/First-Urban-Warrior-Challenge-goes-underground?nclick_check=1

This past week we had a Biggest Loser-type Final Workout involving an hour workout in the pouring down rain on the historic Commercial Street foot bridge. We sprinted & did the stairs on that bridge all while braving the elements, I will never look at that bridge the same. While doing plyometrics at Cox North, one girl even busted her shin open and needed stitches, this training is not for the faint of heart.

I also got some pretty exciting news from Megan about Pitter Pat Results that made my night. Like I mentioned I was #1 in my age bracket but out of 113 runners for the 10 K, I was 24th overall and 13th out of all the females. I am pretty darn proud of that number!

Besides the final SUC training I ran my last long run Friday. I did 7 miles around southern hills in 60 minutes. I only had a little knee pain so I feel pretty prepared overall.

Week 11: Final Week Plan
Our trainer said to take it easier this week as to not injure ourselves right before the race. I did Body Pump yesterday and plan to run 3-4 miles tonight and then again Wednesday, then take it easy the rest of the week. I might walk the other nights just to stay active. Our race is bright and early Sunday April 7th at 7:00 AM. Can't wait to give an update of how we did.

SUC Training: Week 10

2 Weeks left!!! I am getting so excited for the race! This weekend I ran my first 10K (6.2 mile) race, I have run 10K a hundred times on the trail and treadmill but never in a race. It was the Junior League Pitter Pat Race and my best friend Megan (http://johnsonblurb.blogspot.com/) organized it. Although there was snow on the ground, it was great weather for a run. No wind and about 40 degrees, I didn't really get hot. And I got to check off a Bucket List item because surprisingly, I got 1st Place in my age bracket (30-34). I have never won a race and have always wished I could, so my inner child is very happy right now.  My time was 50:26. This is the fastest I have run it yet (it is about an 8 minute mile). This was a test for me to see how my running was going to prepare for the SUC and I feel much more confident now.

Week 10 Plan:
I am only planning on doing one more long run of 7 miles before the race, so yesterday I sprinted 2 miles and did uphill run for 1 mile. Then I also did stairs for 1 mile on the stair master at the gym, which it said equaled 50 floors (is that the same as flights?). I am going to run and do stairs again Wednesday and then do some sort of class friday. Saturday is our final SUC training class at Cox North with our whole team. I am pretty excited about it actually!

My little cheerleader

Megan and I after the race, she looked adorable and put on one heck of a race!

Awards 

I won!!