BoldrDash & Pumpkins

After a long season of trying to prepare and race triathlons, I was really excited to do a couple of low stakes races just for run.  Shara and I have always talked about doing an adventure race and the stars aligned this year for us to give BoldRDash a shot.  We agreed to do the race together and appreciated how close the race is to home (Note: Most Tough Mudders are in other states).  The second race we'd be doing would take place Columbus Day Weekend and it was a WTAC race.  The Run for the Pumpkins 5k was changing venues to Bradford Preserve and would be a trail run.  I'm truly a horrible trail runner but actually like running trails and felt like I needed to support the club and Jeff on this one.  My only expectations for both races was simply to have fun and not get hurt.

BoldrDash- 4 mile obstacle race.
October 3, 2015
57:33, 14th and 15th/804
Results
Some of the obstacles

We started off in the "elite" heat of the BoldRDash.  Having never done one of these races before, I certainly did not consider myself an elite.  The weather for the race was windy and cold, but knowing we would be running up and down the hills and working through obstacles, I actually welcomes the conditions.  I found some of the obstacles to be really challenging (i.e. some of the rope climbs were difficult with balance).  Other obstacles were just fun..jumping around in a potato sack, carrying rocks up and down hills. monkey bars, etc.  There were a ton of mud pits, single track trails, and even a couple of streams to run through.  I simply hung with Shara (1st Overall Female on the day) and enjoyed the atmosphere.  Loved the finish: crawling through a watery mud pit under ropes.  Neither of us felt really tired aerobically but other body areas were sore from all of the lifting.  Post race: changed up quickly and grabbed my complimentary beverage.

The big question I received after this race was, "Would you do it again?"  My answer is absolutely.  I found the event to definitely be a physical challenge and it was fun.  It's clearly different than any regular race I've ever done.  Would I ever take one of these races really serious?  Probably not.  I do think there is high potential for injury in these events if you are careless.

Post BoldrDash..dissapointed that we didn't have more mud on us

Run for the Pumpkins Trail 5k
October 10, 2015
21:58, 6th/111 (My slowest 5k..ever!)
Results

The Run for the Pumpkins race has existed in Westerly for quite some time.  It used to be solely organized by the Town of Westerly's Recreation Department and over the past few years the race has really been organized by the WTAC.  Prior to this year, I had never run the race and it was a road 5k. For one reason or another, the Pumpkins never fit into my schedule until this year.  Funny thing is, the race now involved trail running.   With all of Jeff's personal efforts to re-organize this year and make it happen, I felt like I had to support it--no matter how bad of a trail runner I am.

While I did not expect a good performance at this race and was simply "running" it, I really enjoyed the fall atmosphere.  My Mom and Dad came to spectate and mentioned to me that the venue  reminded them of my high school and college cross country days.  I totally shared their sentiment.  As for the race, it was my goal to try to stay out of the way.  I knew Matthew, Justin, Jonny, and Jeff would be up there and battling it out in the race.  After about a mile of the race, I was completely out of contention and out for a fall run.  Overall, I really enjoyed the course because it wasn't crazy technical and it was fun.  Shara pulled off another strong win in the women's race and the WTAC boys front loaded the top spots.  Congrats to Matthew on the win, Justin (3), Jonny (4), Jeff (5), and the club on a great new event.

The Gazelle and me

Shara for the win!  This pumpkin sits on my steps