{Village Creek 10K}

Sometime back in November, I signed up for my absolute fave race, the Village Creek 10K Trail Run in Wynne, AR. The race director is the best. He keeps you laughing with his wit throughout the year, insists on the Pledge of Allegiance before the start, and always prays for us. The cinnamon rolls are also a great motivator and help propel this race to the top of my list. And of course, the camaraderie. Runners are some of the best people anyway, but I think trail runners are an even more special breed. Last year was my first time to run (I use that term very loosely) this event and it was a nice dry, albeit cold, race.

Fast forward to January 2018.

I somehow convinced several of my fitness friends to come along for the ride. I don't think they looked ahead to the forecast. LOL. I knew this race was known for its unpredictable weather & trail conditions. She did not disappoint. Race day weather was hovering around 50-52 degrees....and rain. Rain everywhere. Which meant...mud. Mud. Everywhere.

 Debi came in from Heber Springs the night before, but had not packed a rain jacket. I dug out my Smoky Mountain rain jacket for her and I donned Quentin's new golf pullover/windbreaker. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to work.

 Jen & Jake also came along for this crazy ride. They're usually up for a fitness challenge and although they hadn't "trained" to run any type of race, let alone one on the trails, they came and they CONQUERED!! I think Jen finished in 1:20 and Jake finished in 1:30. I mean seriously....what would they have done if it had been dry and they had trained?!

 Blake was the only one of us that signed up for the 25K (you know...he has big plans when it comes to running and trails), so he was kind of in his own world pre-race. If you look closely, you can see him at the top left of this picture. 235 runners gathered to brave the elements, challenge themselves, and push beyond their limits.

 The first couple of miles weren't too bad. We quickly learned that mud is SLICK and getting any kind of traction was difficult at best. It was actually easier to run up the hills than to try and walk and get bogged down in the mud.

 Pretty sure my shoes will never be the same!! We decided this race could be classified as a Mud/Trail/Obstacle Race all in one :)

 After mile 3, I was certain I wouldn't be setting a new PR for this race (I ran the 2017 race in 1:58). My balance pretty much sucks on dry dirt, so add rain and mud and ruts....my new goal was to not fall!! Or break anything.

 Debi did not have the same goal. LOL. She lost her footing going up this slick bank and made the most graceful fall in the mud I've ever seen. These two ladies (in red & blue) were going to check on her, while I, being the good friend I am, was scrambling for my phone to capture the moment.

 About mile 5, we were both just wore out from trekking through the mud and water and hills. We could see the finish line, but it seemed like it was taking forever to get there. We needed a morale booster. Insert war paint....aka mud on the face.

 We did it! We finished the thing and met up with Jen & Jake. Debi and I crossed the finish line at 2:29....31 minutes slower than my time the previous year, BUT...I did not fall!! Or break anything. We grabbed our yummy post-race cinnamon roll (seriously the best!), showered off, warmed up, and waited on Blake to finish the 25K.

 I knew the course conditions would slow Blake down, but I was getting worried when the clock kept ticking away and he still hadn't come in. I started wondering if he was hurt and how would we find him? He did finally come in...walking...and at 4:09. Nowhere near his goal. He said his hip started hurting around mile 9 and that he walked quite a bit of the last 6 miles. He finished, and while he was disappointed, it sure beats getting a DNF.

 Post race picture with Blake....I somehow missed getting a pic with our friend Dan, who placed 1st in his age division. Go Dan!! That man inspires me...at 61 years young, he still gets out there and runs and takes care of his body.

Love the shirt and of course the wood medallion finishers medal. Always earned. Never given.

And note the fancy wrist band with numbers.....that was a first and was to ensure no one got lost. I'm not sure it worked, but great effort.

 Now the next question....do I do the 25K next year???