Next up, I ran the Army Ten Miler for the third time (see last year’s post here), on 10/8/17.
After the Spartan Super (and making the decision to sell our old house a buy a new one!) I did NOT have the energy to pour into training like I did last year. There were only 2 weeks to prepare anyway, so I just tried to maintain my fitness. Work was busy, home life was (and still is!) very busy, and really, it was all I could do to get 3 runs in per week. Do you ever feel like it’s darn near impossible to get your workouts in?
And then when you think, OK, I definitely have enough on my plate. I mean, really there’s so much going on, I couldn’t possibly have one more thing to deal with… right?! Of course not.
The day prior to leaving for the Army Ten Miler, Luna and I were out for our last little shakeout run, when we got skunked.
Yes, a skunk sprayed Luna, right in the face, and she in turn got me and the house nice & smelly.
But, as we ran home, she seemed fine, and I couldn’t smell much.
So… I didn’t realize how BAD it was until I brought her inside. We were only in the house for maybe 30 seconds (to grab paper towels, so I could wipe her face), but the damage was done. Our house REEKED of skunk. And of course, our open house was scheduled for 2 days later!
Needless to say, the open house didn’t produce a buyer. LOL!
And also worth mentioning, airing out your house AND using candles AND using lit matches for the sulfur smell STILL will not get rid of the skunky smell. Only time!
Hopefully it does not ever happen to you… I’m telling you. WHEW!
So we happily reluctantly dropped Luna off at doggy daycare, and away we went to our second Army Ten Miler.
We stayed at a closer hotel this year, after last year’s Looooooong schlep from the race back to the hotel with the kids in tow (and no stroller!!) We decided Javi would watch the kiddos, and I’d venture out with my friends, then meet them at the finish line area.
We stayed Saturday through Monday, again after learning last year that it SUCKS driving 5+ hours home after running 10+ miles and walking several more miles. Whew, I get tired just thinking about that! That was the day I had over 30,000 steps… oh my.
My dear friend KF picked up our packets (Gabe had the run fun too), and we met for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.
We ran into an old teammate there, CD, which was such a great coincidence! I ate well and hydrated properly, and the weather seemed breezy and warm, decent for a ten miler.
Prepped my stuff (and Gabe’s):
I got to bed early, slept decently, and the boys escorted me to the lobby:
Then met my friends–hadn’t see JC in 3.5 years! It was strangely warm at 7:30 AM… and humid as all get out.
After a few potty stops, a bunch of texts, and a short jog, I met up with Pam (and saw another old teammate on the way!)
Since neither of us had trained properly, Pam & I decided we would run together, and Cat joined us.
We chatted along for a good 6-7 miles, until Pam & I both were feeling spent, and Cat went on ahead.
The good: I loved running with friends, having a “no pressure” kind of race, and enjoyed the crowds and monuments.
The bad: It was SO humid, so I was taking in waaaaay more liquid (water + Gatorade) than usual. Thankfully I didn’t have GI distress, but…
The ugly: I got a HUGE blister on my big toe. This has never happened before. I wore the same shoes I always wear, but maybe due to the heat/humidity, my feet swelled? I have no idea…
Also ugly–LOTS of heat casualties. Pam & I slowed to a walk maybe 3-4 times in the last few miles, so we made it OK.
My Garmin stats:
Afterwards, I found the boys, met up with old friends, went to the kids race for Gabe but it took SO long for them to get started, we skipped it… only to find out later, they cancelled it! (Glad we skipped!)
In all, a fun trip, and one that I will make again, but not sure I’ll do it every year. DC is a little far for us (5.5 hours on a good day), and it’s expensive!
I do love the distance, and the course, though 🙂 And being an Army veteran makes it near & dear to my heart too!
Have you run the Army Ten Miler?
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