The Craziest Frickin' Day of my Life

Last weekend, I drove to Austin to see some friends and to participate in the Warrior Dash with Nichole. Some of my friends ran in the race on Saturday, so I got to hear all about the race first hand. They had some good advice, such as to bring a change of clothes, a trash bag and extra shoes. This advice only made me even more excited to get out there.

Nichole was gracious enough to let me stay the night at her place, so that we could head East in the morning for the race together. We woke up around 6:30 AM and groggily ate oatmeal and gathered our things (including the provisions we were advised to bring) and left shortly after 7:15 AM. According to the race website, we were supposed to arrive at least an hour before our run, which in retrospect was just a rouse to get us to wander around aimlessly and buy things from the many stands of Warrior Dash gear. We stood around watching the previous waves of people (a new wave started every half hour) racing through the last 3 obstacles of the race: a rope wall to climb, fire to jump through and a mud pit with barbed wire. We were very anxious to get started.

Excited about the race

After what seemed like entirely too long, it was finally our turn to start. The race started off easily enough, with just some hilly terrain and a few small walls to jump over. Then we rounded a corner and saw a sign that said "Danger, Obstacle Ahead." Sweet.

Jumping over cars

There were three rows of beat up old cars, not vintage, just circa 1990s, perhaps 80s, that we had to jump on top of to continue the race. There is something inherently fun about hearing the pounding of feet jumping on metal that made me smile. We continued along the trail and discovered more obstacles, some more fun than others. The easiest was a wall we had to climb up by way of rope. The most treacherous was the creek we had to wade through, only because we listened to the race staff and ran through it instead of treading carefully. Half of my left calf is covered in blue and purple bruises as well as scrapes that extend to my knee. Despite the fall (into a branch underwater? or perhaps an attack by an angry fish?), Nichole and I kept running, hopping through tires, crab walking over rope cargo nets (probably the most difficult obstacle), climbing through a web-like structure of rope and finally rounding the bend to the finish line.

Seeing the two rows of fire get closer and closer, I nearly had to stop because I was beginning to panic. The flames were so high...could I jump over the fire? Not a chance. I was doomed to trip and fall face first into the fire. I could see this happening in my mind as I effortlessly jumped over the fire and made it safely to the other side. Worried for nothing. The final obstacle was a giant pit of mud, filled with water and covered with barbed wire overhead so that you had no choice but to crawl through. As I came to the edge, I could hear the crowd yelling "dive!" - and not wanting to disappoint them, (and because when am I ever going to have this chance again?) I dove.

Muddy shoes for Green Sneakers

I know now why I was asked to bring the extra clothes and trash bag. I was drenched in mud and muddy water from head to toe. I crawled through the mud pit, with the nearby crowd cheering me on after my dive, unable to see because there was mud in my eyes. I probably should have left my contacts at home. I struggled to see and keep my clothes in place (mud is pretty heavy) and somehow managed to make it to the finish line. I did not win anything, but the experience was worth the trouble. I saw all kinds of people in that race, from a 9 year old boy holding his father's hand, a man in a kilt, with a long beard, Viking helmet and sword, to a woman in her 60s, smiling as she crawled out of the mud pit. This is definitely the craziest race I've ever done and I don't know if I will sign up again, but I am so glad that I had the chance to take part in it this year. I wonder what races await me in 2011...

(Not so) Quick Recap

I haven't been blogging lately, but the fault is hardly mine. In the past month I have packed up my belongings, rented out my apartment, moved 3 hours away to live with my mom, started a new job, bought my first house (condo), begun some serious renovations, attended Hannah and Jessica's amazing wedding in Philly and had time to make jewelry...WHAT?

I believe the most stressful part of the last month was closing on the property I purchased, because who really ever knows what they're getting themselves into? And of course, as usual, I just HAD to get the place as soon as possible, only adding to the stress level. Patience is a virtue...well that may be so, but it's one I claim to hold. Now that the place is officially mine, I am thoroughly content with my decision, although a little overwhelmed by the renovations that need to occur. I keep telling myself that there is no rush and to commit to one project at a time, but we will see how it all goes.

Home Sweet Home

Now for the wedding! I arrived in Philly shortly after 2pm EST, but had to wait until Christie and Olivia's flights came in, so that we could all take a taxi together to the church for the rehearsal. Thank goodness for technology and internet on my phone to keep me occupied for 2 hours. :) The rehearsal was intense, but we got through it and went to Hannah and Jessica's apartment for the rehearsal dinner party. I believe some fire codes were being violated that night, but we all had such a great time squeezing around each other in the beautiful apartment that the new Jones-Lewis ladies share. Once everyone left the party, Hannah's bridesmaids and coordinators (Matt and Emma) started making bouquets for the following day. What a great idea! None of us had any experience arranging flowers, but they were all so beautiful that each arrangement was just gorgeous! To keep us happy, Hannah brewed up some yummy apple cider. It was a great end to the day.

The next morning (the wedding day!) was very relaxed...until we all had to cram into Jessica's car (Christie, Hannah, Olivia, Emma, Matt and me), with the flowers (8 bouquets) and dresses! We managed to laugh about the situation and dropped off Matt and Emma at the church to start setting up while the rest of us went to the Aveda school to get our hair and makeup done. I still can't believe it took 4 HOURS, and almost all of us redid our makeup once we got to the church, but it was nice not having to worry about the hair. The lady doing my hair told me after she had finished that it was her very first updo and proceeded to take about 75 pictures of my hair at all angles. Another 30 were taken after she did my makeup. Approximately. I am really glad she waited to provide me with this little tidbit after she had finished because she really did a great job and I would have worried for no reason.

My hair for the Jones-Lewis Wedding

Once we got to the church and into our dresses, it was getting serious. Hannah's dress was amazing, she looked so beautiful. Matt came to get us at 5:25 to go stand outside the church. I was the first bridesmaid on Hannah's side to go down the aisle, followed by Olivia and then Christie. We all stood at the front of the church as Hannah started walking down the aisle. And wouldn't you know it, I started to cry. In a room full of people, mostly strangers, my face was scrunched up in a feeble attempt at maintaining my perfect makeup. All eyes were on the bride as I let one tear escape, and the memory of the moment is bringing tears to my eyes right now. I guess I hadn't really thought about what was happening until that very moment, when I saw my friend of more than 10 years walking down the aisle to get married. MARRIED. (fights back tears)

Jessica walked down the aisle next, and joined Hannah at the front of the church. They each wrote their own vows and again I found myself struggling to hold back tears as I heard them making promises to love one another...why do I keep crying in public these days?! Hannah and Jessica had a unity sand ceremony, two vessels of different colored sand are poured into a third, larger vessel to represent the coming together of two lives. It was such a wonderful addition to the wedding and if I ever get married, it's def going to be a part of my wedding. The wedding actually only lasted maybe 15 minutes, and then we were off to the reception! It was at World Cafe Live and they had a nice buffet and a DJ playing only all the greatest songs ever! I kept waiting for a bad song, so I could take a break from dancing, but it NEVER happened. :) At some point in the night, I ran to the car to get the flip flops. It was necessary and I am not in the least embarrassed.

Getting ready for the wedding; Starbucks coffee a necessity.

Overall, the wedding was a huge success, and I was sad to leave Philly. Hopefully, once things settle down here, I can go visit again. In the meantime, I need to get this condo whipped into shape!