Mud run in the hot sun

After the wedding, we headed back to San Diego because I had to do the mud run. I arrived there early, even after giving myself time to buy Gatorade (G2 Rain - Berry). It was already pretty hot by that time, and we took the bus around 10am to the Skyline Church campus in El Cajon. It was 100 degrees by the time we started. They had a good array of sponsorship from various companies, but the crowd was all anxious to get dirty.

We started off running in the parking lot, with firehoses drenching us in cold water. We had prepared our shoes with duct tape to keep the mud/small rocks from climbing in for a ride.

Then we went down a hill to the first mudpit. Which was a series of five pits separated by 3-4 foot hills. Which made for slipperiness and really getting down. Heheheh. It was so crazy! Bridget, Julie's friend, fell a few times on her ass, and then finally leaped over the last mudpit to avoid bathing in it. Then we jogged around a dirt path, up a hill, and at the end there was a 6 inch deep but longer pit, and some water to help wash a little of the dirt off.

All along the course, we ran into shallow pits, thick trenchy pits, swimmable pits, bales of hale to leap over or step on--then a mile up a steep mountain. Most people walked. They had water stations here and there, plus plenty of plastic cups from prior runners. There was a dusty trail on the way back where I fervently wished for a bandanna. My throat was sore the rest of the week from the dirt I inhaled. But, so worth it! I was tired out from the physical challenge, so I just used gravity to run down the course to the bottom of the hill as fast as I could. The rest of the three ladies on my BOOTYFUL team were in the navy, so it was a task to keep up with them. We did the 5k in 1 hour and 5 seconds.

The washing off process was a mess. Taking off the duct tape, etc. But overall, very exhilarating. Bridget's husband was there to take "after" pictures, and Bridget took "before" pix. I was so glad Jason came, so that he could take Julie to get the car, instead of waiting in the shuttle bus line to get back to the college where we parked.

It's nice to be a kid. Even better as an adult.

ding dong

Well, I've been busy. First, panicked by not having my ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) card updated, then working on taxes the past week. But, also have been spending time with my friend Mike.

My friend Jan wanted to go back to the desert after seeing beautiful wildflowers on the desert floor in early March. I was game, and invited Mike to come along and protect us vulnerable women. We camped in Culp Valley, at the 10 mile marker on the S2 off the 79 in Anza-Borrego. We drove up mid-morning Saturday, April 5, then took in the Visitor's Center and drove around. We did two short hikes, had lunch and dinner in Borrego Springs.

The ocotillos and a few barrel cacti were blooming. At the truckhaven trail, Jan took a nap, while Mike and I took a walk. I noticed some purple flowers, their tiny blooms in the sand floor.

The Palm Canyon trail was a little more challenging than I remember. I had last hiked it four years ago.

Jan took us to this yummy place called The Red Ocotillo. From the outside tin facade, it looks like it could have been a storage facility or bomb shelter. But the back wooden fence (where all the wind ghosts come in), opens into a little patio, charmingly decorated with lights and various foliage.

The food was great--I'm trying to remember what I got--it was salmon, I think.

Finding our camping spot was adventurous. It was already 10 p.m. and it seemed around every corner was a vehicle and a tent. We spotted a place, but then realized, it was part of the road, so we moved over around a small tree. The stars were out in full force.

The floor was still pretty firm despite the padding I brought, but I was able to catch a few zzz's. A camper down from us, had the music going through the night.

The next afternoon, Mike and I took in the Padres game--we stopped in Ramona to get breakfast and coffee.

Last weekend, Mike invited me to tag along while he made his best man toast to his friend Matt and his beautiful wife Pretty. Mike's a closet poet. I could not even attempt to rhyme, aa bb cc dd, etc. Free verse is my thing.

I forgot Matt and Pretty's wedding present at my apartment in San Diego, so I'm bringing it with me in two days. Mike and I will be green and take in a music festival when we are there Sunday.