Duck Dash 5K and Fun Run!

This morning, I ran the Duck Dash 5K with some of my running pals, and Katie Anne ran the kids' half-mile Duck Fun Run!  These races are fundraisers for Advocates for Bartow's Children - they're part of the Duck Derby fundraising activities.  The races were fun and challenging, and KA and I both did a great job!  I got my fastest 5K time so far - 32 minutes!  Katie Anne did a great job on her fun run, too.  She ran the whole time and got a medal!  Saunders, SJ, and Gigi came out to support us - and took pictures, too!  It was a great family morning out.  Here are some pictures of the fun.

Pre-race family photo:

Me and my little runner - we made these matching duck-themed shirts together!

 Last minute advice from KA:

 SJ and Gigi are ready to cheer us on!

Getting ready for race time!

Me and V are ready to run!

And we're off!

Running hard!

Watching Mommy's race!

 My two smallest fans!

 Here I come! 

 Me and Vanessa after the race!

Now it's Katie Anne's turn!  She's stretching out before the big run.

 Little #86 is ready to race!

Walking down the hill to her race course.

   Addison looks a little frozen, and KA looks a little nervous!

 Checking out the course.

 Getting herself psyched up...

 And they're off!

 Katie Anne took off from the starting line as fast as she could!

 There she goes - speedster!

 Watching anxiously for Sissy... 

 Here she comes around the corner - Dad's cheering her on!

 Running as fast as she can!

 Real ladies run in skorts!

 Almost there...

 Crossing the finish line!

 Whew- she did it!

 High fives for Sister!

I asked Katie Anne if she ran as fast as a cheetah - which is what she said she was going to do.  Katie Anne told me, "I ran as fast as a werewolf !!!"

SJ ran his own pretend race in the parking lot to show off his skills, too.

 Katie Anne earned a medal for her hard work!

 Racing kids!  KA, Addison, Sophie, and Kobey

 Racing mommies and racing kids!  Katie/KA ... Naomi/Sophie ... Heather/Addison ... Shawnee/Kobey!

 So proud of both of us today!

 KA and Daddy

 Our family!

 What do all little racers need?  Snowcones!

 SJ got a treat, too!

Dirty Girl 5K!

Tara, Naomi, Heather, Katie, and Shawnee

Today, my little group of racing buddies ran a fun 5K - The Dirty Girl Mud Run!  This is a 5K race with 11 obstacles stationed throughout the race.  We had an absolutely awesome time at this race!  We ran hard and completed each obstacle as a team.  Overall, most of the obstacles were a lot easier than we anticipated and a few were pretty tough - we scaled cargo nets, crawled through mud, ran through tires, climbed walls, slid down hills, ran through water holes, and climbed muddy hills.  Our time was much better than we thought it would be - only 35 minutes to run over 3 miles and complete 11 challenges!

Pre-Race Prettiness!

 

  Here's the starting line!

Thanks to Naomi for taking these awesome during-the-race pictures! 

Obstacle #1: The Hay Bale Climb:

Obstacle #2: The Wall:

Obstacle #3: Crawling Under the Net in the MUD:

Runners!

Me approaching Obstacle #4: Crawling Through Tubes:

Obstacle #5: Mud Pit

Me, Shawnee, and Tara running toward Obstacle #6: Swinging Tires

Obstacle #7: More Tires!

Shawnee and Heather running toward Obstacle #8: Ropes

Here I go toward Obstacle #9: Cargo Net Climb (Heather and Tara are right in front of me.)

Tara coming down Obstacle #10: Sliding Down the Hill

Last one!  Obstacle #11: Climbing the Hill!

We did it!  We finished it!

Post-Race Nastiness!

 My view of myself post-race ... boo!  That is so gross!

I had a great time racing with my friends in the mud, but I was sooo ready to rinse this stuff off!  Unfortunately, the post-race clean up area left a lot to be desired (and was definitely less private than advertised!)  But, we laughed through it - and held up towels for each other to change behind!  (We saw a lot of flesh in that changing room from other racers.)  We had an awesome time together and are already talking about costumes for next year!