[altoids]

I signed up for the Mt Penn Mudfest 15K trail run because DETurtle was doing it! Peer pressure at its finest! Our plan was to have fun and enjoy a trail run in the woods.<br><br>
It was 33 degrees when I arrived in Reading - much colder than I was expecting for April. I was layered up nicely, and found DETurtle.<br><br>
Let's just say this was a challenging course. Lots of long steep uphills, loose rocks, roots, etc. There was one section called "the boardwalk", which was mostly mud with some logs sunk into it. Another section was downed trees, to either climb over or duck under. (My short stature put me at an advantage for the latter.)<br><br>
Oh yes, the water crossings. I had heard there were four water crossing, and I had a mental picture of splish-splish across a bit of water in the path. No, these were streams! One was knee-deep, and the water was quite cold! But we splashed across them with wild abandon, and it was so much fun! Exhilerating! And there was a steep muddy bank we had to get up, and then down on the way back. And a place where the path <b>was</b> a little stream. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
And one super difficult hill. I mean, the hills were of the butt-kicking variety, even when we were hiking them instead of running them. Fortunately, this section was followed by an aid station that had Yuengling and pretzels, quite refreshing at that point!<br><br>
I had a blast, and totally enjoyed running with DETurtle, she rocks!<br><br>
I'll have some pictures in the next post. I don't have trail pictures, but I have some before and afters.

 

[wherestheportojohn]

That sounds like a <b>BLAST</b>!<br><i><span style="color:#FF0000;">WHEEEEE!</span></i>

 

[altoids]

Me and DETurtle in good spirits before the race, and freezing our butts off:<br><img alt="" src="http://lh4.google.com/image/llgallagher/RhglP_gEqOI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/rpBp43pLPc8/s400/P1010003.JPG" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Rocking the finish, feeling slightly warmer and still in good spirits:<br><img alt="" src="http://lh6.google.com/image/llgallagher/RhglSfgEqPI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZdCWy9OWDec/s400/P1010007.JPG" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
The tshirt:<br><br><img alt="" src="http://lh5.google.com/image/llgallagher/RhgmbPgEqZI/AAAAAAAAALM/RhB_30387CQ/s400/P1010002.JPG" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
The mug:<br><br><img alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/image/llgallagher/RhgmcvgEqaI/AAAAAAAAALU/nGdopcYuV6g/s400/P1010003-1.JPG" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[sistergoldenhair]

That sounds like so much fun. How muddy did you get?<br><br>
Love the mug, and I'm glad you two enjoyed yourselves!

 

[diablita]

How fun! You two look very cute and cozy. I love the pics.

 

[altoids]

Shoes were quite muddy. When we changed into our dry things in a diner bathroom, mud flew everywhere when we took off our shoes. I had some sort of twig thing between two of my toes.<br><br>
Our pants were soaking wet to the knee. DETurtle had some mud on her butt, and we both had muddy gloves. If I had mud on my butt, I didn't see it.<br><br>
Edited to add: I think the stream crossings washed off a lot of the mud.

 

[DEturtle]

It was total fun! The whole thing could have sucked, due to the cold, but I had a great running buddy.<br><br>
The trail was difficult at times and the water crossing were "brisk" but we pushed right through. After channeling the inner mountain goat, we navigated the rocky paths well. The beer was a welcome refreshment after a really butt kicking hill. I thought my achilles was going to tear off. But I made friends with it again and it was all good. Altoids is a rocking trail runner and I know she will rock it out in any ultra she tries. She is well on her way!<br><br>
The water was a lot of fun for me, it was like being at home, but the hills were something else!<br><br>
What a great time, I had a blast. Maybe next year it'll be warmer!

 

[merigayle]

Yikes! Way to go on a historically difficult race. I should have lent you my waterproof socks!!!!! Awesome shwag. I cannot wait to see more pictures. I miss my girls already <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> SOoooooo jealous.

 

[fatmantrying]

Nice report!<br><br>
I love race mugs! One of my favorite swag items.

 

[Gingerbread]

Ya'll kick ASS! Nice job, great reports and good pictures. I'm jealous, but don't envy you the hills or slopping through cold water.<br><br>
So-o-o-o, when's the next run? Hmmmm?

 

[Xavier Dan Q]

Way to go! <img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"><br><br>
I love that t-shirt!

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Great job altoids and DEturtle. Sounds like a tough race, and you came through with flying colors.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

Way to go, y'all!<br><br>
You (and the t-shirts/mug) totally made me want to run this race. I added it to my list of races I want to do one day.

 

[drgenie]

Great job, ladies!! I haven't attempted this one yet but hopefully I'll be joining you next year. My neighbors both ran it and had a blast.<br><br>
Are you going to do Double Trouble in August?? Or the Halfwit? Ron does a great job with all his races.

 

[Grizzly]

Wow, that sounds like a blast. I admire your desire and perseverance!<br><br>
Torque has been on at me for years to run the trail series here in Alberta, and I'm thinking that I just might...<br><br>
Good show!

 

[duckgeek]

Nice job ladies. That's one of the bestest t-shirts ever.

 

[Amethyst]

Great job you two!

 

[aphigirl01]

Great job! That race sounded like a lot of fun!

 

[GaRebelRunner]

Glad you had fun and enjoyed the mudfest. I'm sure it was fun. I just can't imagine doing such an event myself - maybe I'm just too old now. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">