Race to the end of October

So, at completely different times of the year, David and I signed ourselves up for two different fun races. (I know, some of you are thinking, there's no such thing as a race that's fun, etc. etc.  Just hear me out, these are PDA.)  As the race days got closer, we discovered that they were to take place on back-to-back weekends.

No problem!

Race #1: The Rugged Maniac, Temecula, CA

This race is not for the faint of heart.  It was actually pretty intense.  It was only a 5K but it took us an hour to finish.  Aside from pretty challenging terrain (part of which included running up and then along the crest of a mountain), it was packed with obstacles.

Picture this: climbing up huge dirt mounds and then back down into big puddles, crawling through tunnels and under razor wire, climbing over tall obstacles and up rope ladders, going down a gigantic water slide into a mud puddle, rolling over obstacles in a lake, jumping over fire pits...you get the idea.  It was pretty nuts.

If you can't quite picture all that in the same race, not to fear, for we documented the experience - complete with my personal favorite: a shot of us pretending to be velociraptors.



Race #2: The Color Vibe, Pomona, CA

I'd like to thank my AMAZING husband for making my dream of running this race become a reality (honorable mention goes to Groupon for creating awareness and providing a discount).  Words fail me when I try to describe how much I loved this other race.  What happens on the Color Vibe run, you may ask?  Well, it’s patterned after Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, where everyone runs around throwing a rainbow of colors of powder all over each other to commemorate the coming of spring.  

As soon as you cross the starting line of the Color Vibe, that is exactly what happens – you are assaulted on all sides by people with entire boxes full of pink, yellow, orange, blue, and purple powder, just waiting for you to get within throwing distance before they unload it on you.  (Don't worry, everyone gets an awesome pair of 80's style neon sunglasses to protect the eyes.)  After the initial attack, you pass through several other color stations along the route, just to make sure they get you all good and covered with color.  

At the finish line, rather than getting a medal, you are presented with your very own packet of powder to share with all other finishers in what is basically a gigantic Holi-style dance party. 

This truly was the funnest 5K I’ve ever done.  I loved every moment of it, especially at the blue powder station where we decided to stop, drop, and roll, and make some blue powder angels before we resumed the race.  

Once again, we brought a camera to document the awesomeness, and I am so glad we did.  Every time I look at these pictures, my heart feels light and jittery all over again - like the feeling you get when you wake up on Christmas morning.

I like running. :)