Running weekend

Wow, I feel like I spent all weekend either running or showering. I started with Los Chupacabras de la Noche 10k nighttime trail run on Friday night. I will recap that race in another post, but I DID NOT FALL. Again, I DID NOT FALL. Instead, I almost fell when I caught a rock, bruising/spraining/something my right great toe/arch, which made the rest of the weekend's very hilly running 'interesting.' After a veggie burger, a shower, and a little sleep, it was on to the next race.


Saturday morning was the 30th Annual Women's 5k. The women run, the men volunteer - here are some of the Brak Pak guys handing out chips. (These 3 guys on the left had run the Chupacabras with me the night before and were also operating on about 4 hours of sleep.)


Here I am attempting to run up the hill with a very sore right toe/foot. Like the night before, I was soaked, due to the extreme humidity.

After the race, we enjoyed breakfast tacos and watermelon.

And I told my running buddy, Jim, all about the chupacabra that bit me on the toe! After another shower and a nap (and some other stuff), I ran an 11-miler this morning, showered, and napped.

Thanks to Tom Lake for the pics!

Viven los chupacabras!

Friday night, I run with the Chupacabras. I will wear this so that los chupacabras think I am a zebra and not a goat:
From the race director, Bill:

About this race:
The race will start and finish at McAllister Park right next to Pavillion 3 (Optimist Pavillion) 13102 Jones Maltsberger Rd, 78247, at 9PM on Friday July 17th and run on the dirt trails of McAllister Park. Runners will follow trail marked with orange marking tape, arrow signs and glow sticks to the finish. The trail is straight and smooth to windy, rocky with many roots. Headlamps are HIGHLY encouraged as you will run through pitch dark, heavily wooded trails.

All runners will receive technical shirts, excellent support, a burger, fries or salad and drink and free cold beer (while it lasts) . There will be a post race party immediately after finishing at Momak’s after the race.

Click here to read race report from ‘08.

Refunds and Rain: There will be no refunds for this race. In the event of heavy rain we will attempt to reschedule the following Friday. If it rains heavily that Friday we will say f^&* it and have a party at Momak’s.

Still crazy after all these years

Well, I did it. I signed up for the dumb night-time, in the dark, over-the-river-and-through-the-woods crazy 10k trail run on February 13. And I'm planning on running a 10k the next morning. Yep, this was pretty painful last year. But th-th-th-that that don't kill me can only make me stronger (thanks, Kayne). And I should have sufficient recovery time before Fall marathon season if I bust my arse again. This year, I procured some better lighting:

And I plan to run like a sissy. Like a safe, injury-free sissy. In other hilarious news, my sister's treadmill declared war on her. I haven't run on a treadmill in almost a decade, but, then, it's been in the 60s/70s here, so there is really no need. However, she's located darn close to the frozen tundra, and has 4 kids (who constitute 2/3 of my starting offensive line for the 2025 GB Packers), so it's a necessary evil. Apparently, it gives her a mile to warm up then arbitrarily gives her "Fartleks," speeding up to 10 mph. Hee.

Los Chupacabras de la Noche

In 4 hours, I embark on the first annual Chupacabras 10k trail run under a full moon. Or, as I like to call it, please don't let me get hurt. Afterward, we enjoy (veggie) burgers and beer, hit the sack, and try to wake up in time for the Women's 5k run at 7:30 a.m. Tomorrow, I sleep....