58 Year Old Goddess Completes 1st 5K Mud Run

....well....the Mud Run is really tomorrow morning (May 19) and I will follow-up with another post tomorrow when I complete it--I'm just putting my "intentions of success" out there into the universe and putting some information here for others who are contemplating or preparing for a 5K Mud Run.

Before I start, I just want to say that I'm sorry I can't accept Friend Requests at this time, but I'll be glad to respond to any posts or e-mails I get for any further information or tips I pick up during my race. Additionally, I want to give a shout-out to MFPeep "SHELLBATRONIC" for her tips about her recent Mud Run.

Over the past year I dropped 80+ pounds with the help of MFP and reached my goal weight of 155 on Easter of this year. My "Goal Posting" is here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/950527-58-years-old-and-81-pounds-gone-pics-too

I signed up for this 5K Mud Run back in February since it came 2 weeks after a cruise I booked and I wanted something to keep me motivated to get back into my "Healthy LIfestyle" as soon as I was back on dry land.

In February I also started working out on the Nautilus weight machines at the gym and in March I started the C25K program. I'm still doing the weights, but had to ease up on the C25K since I was experiencing some ankle problems. I kept up fast walking, and after giving my foot a rest during the cruise, I started back on the C25K last week. I managed to get up to Week 6, Day 1 (20 minutes of continuous "wogging"), so it's going to have to do--I don't intend on running this thing anyway--there's only so much one can get out of a 58-year-old menopausal body.

In researching Mud Runs, I've learned the following: Never wear cotton! It holds water, gets baggy and chafes your skin. Protect your hands and knees. Triple knot your shoes (duct tape interferes with movement of your feet and ankles, starts to peel off when wet and muddy, and if wrapped around the soles of your shoes can interfere with your traction while climbing obstacles) With that in mind, I got some dry wicking, tight, NON-COTTON, capris (that go below the knees); a dry wick shirt with long tight sleeves (might be an issue, I'll see); and will wear good quality NON-COTTON, low runner's socks (but not low enough to roll down into my sneaks--I hope). I'll wear a pair of fingerless exercise gloves with rubber padding on the palms and an old pair of running shoes that I can leave there and they'll donate to the folks in Haiti. I'll be "flying without instruments" since I'll have to remove my hearing aids and eye glasses (thank goodness I still got my own teeth).

I didn't carbo-load with pasta tonight, instead I had T-Bone Steak (protein); Baked Potato & Corn on the Cob (carbs)--my body needs to work tonight to turn that stuff into fuel for tomorrow. My heat doesn't start till 11am, so in the morning I'm having my usual protein and fruit smoothie. I've also been cameling up on water today and will down some with a bit of Gatorade up to about an hour before the race.

I looked up the results of last year's race tonight, and out of 1350 competitors, there were only 4 ladies as old or older than I...and I thought geez...am I nuts or what?? I plan on completing all 15 obstacles...I'll at least give them all my very best try.

I'd better get some sleep, but before I go to bed, I've gotta paint my nails pink to match my Mud Run shirt...a gal's gotta do, what a gal's gotta do!