The 1st Annual Peach Bottom Quadathon!

September 13-14, 2015 my uncle and I participated in the 1st Annual Peach Bottom Quadathon. What's a Quadathon you ask? Well, it's something I made up. We were out on the river kayaking and I had this brilliant idea to have this Quadathon. It's four (obviously the name) events, shooting, running, biking and kayaking. I think as soon as I had the idea, I had shirts made up. We needed to look like an official event. My uncle and I were the two participants and my aunt was the "Official Time Keeper."

The original plan was to do all four events in one day. HOWEVER since my uncle ran a 5k on Friday and I ran the Bird-In-Hand Half on Saturday, we were too sore to do all four events on Sunday. The shooting event had to take place on Sunday, it's dove (I think) season. Since you can't hunt on Sunday's in Pennsylvania, we HAD to have the event on Sunday and not Monday when hunters are out.

We had planned on shooting clay pigeons. However, when we went to buy the clay pigeons and the thrower, the salesman sold us the wrong sizes. The clay pigeons were too big for the thrower. On to plan B. We just set the clay pigeons on the ground and used them as targets. This was my very first time shooting a shot gun!

We each shot 10 times. Michael got all 10 and I only got 6. For more photos and videos of the shooting events you can go to the Facebook page! And please like the page while you're at it:) Thank you!!

Next event (Monday) was the kayaking portion. Again we had to go to plan B. When we were ready to do the event it was windy as could be. We drove the kayaks to the marina and kayaked to my aunt and uncle's house. 

Here's the confession, he had to use a paddle board paddle, because one of the kayak paddles was missing. I had the good paddle and I won! 

After the kayak event!

The biking event was next. I knew that I could not win this event. I don't hardly ride a bike. It was an easy 2.55 miles course. I lost by a lot. His time was 10 minutes 45 seconds. My time was 14 minutes 02 seconds.

The last event was running. My uncle has a bad knee and he injured it during the 5k on Friday. We ended up doing a sprint. I lost... womp womp womp... I didn't know he was a sprinter in high school.

No we weren't having fun at all :)

We weren't really sure how to score the Quadathon, sooooooooooo we had two categories. First Place Male and First Place Female! That means we both got medals. Now when I say medals, I mean I made them.

YES those are fancy medals aren't they?!?! 

1st place Male and Female Winners!

If you can't figure out from reading this post, WE HAD A BLAST! Oh yes we are doing it again next year. AND hopefully we will have lots of other participants. More people equals way more fun!!

I have no idea when we are planning next years event. Go like our Facebook page to keep up to date on all the latest! Seriously GO LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! 

Bird-In-Hand Half Marathon Recap

I have been talking about running the Bird-In-Hand Half for a year. YES an entire year! I was in Pennsylvania last year during this race, but the half was sold out. I ended up running the 5k. If you want you can read the recap here. The day registration opened up, I registered. I was not going to sit this race out.

What makes this race so special? Well, it just happens to be named one of The Coolest Race Medals, according to Runner's World. The medals are made from horseshoes. Also I grew up in this area.

Check out that medal!

I went to the expo Friday night before the race. My Mom, Aunt and Uncle were running the 5k, so I tagged along and picked up my packet. The expo is unique just like this race. It's in the middle of a field, under a tent.

They also launched hot air balloons!

My friend Chris McDougall was there signing his book. I brought my book all the way from Florida to have him sign it. I met him last year at this race. 

The only goal for this race was to finish. I did fly up to Pennsylvania twice this summer to train on hills, but I wasn't anywhere near running fast up hills. I figured I'd have a funny shirt made up just to let the other runners know that I was slow. Decided to wear the cheetah Sparkle Athletic skirt, in hopes it would make me appear faster :) I got lots of complements on my outfit. I also got some strange looks from the Amish. 

My alarm was set for 4am race morning. My Uncle and I had to leave just after 5am. The race is in a small town. When 1800 runners are all trying to get to one place at the same time there tends to be traffic. We got there at the perfect time. No traffic just pulled in and got front row parking! 

Front row parking!

                                       

Once we got there, we got out and hit the porta potties early. We walked around the tent again then headed back to car to rest. I don't think I've ever been to a 1/2 where you can park right in front of the finish line. About 30 minutes prior to the start of the race, we headed back to the porta potties. When it was time to line up for the start, I was walking to the way back. While I was trying to get through the crowd, I ran into Chris McDougall. He said come run with us. I thought no way can I keep up with him. I figured what the hell I'd try to keep up for as long as I could. 

Next thing I knew the race was starting. I have studied the elevation chart of this course for months. I knew the start of the race was going to have a steady incline. I figured I'd try and stay with Chris and his friends as long as I could. I was thankful they pushed me for the first 3 miles. I knew I couldn't keep their pace for the entire race, so I said I'll see ya at the end. I finally took my first walk break. I needed it. From that point on I did run/walk breaks. Hills are no joke.

Mid race selfie!

                                    

About half way though the race, I was feeling good. Then I rounded this corner and saw it, this big ass hill. I may have said some naughty words when I first saw it. When I got the bottom of the hill, I was determined to run up the entire hill. I did!! About died when I got to the top, but I did it! 

                                       

Around mile 9 I got hungry and tired. I probably should have had more breakfast than I did, but I was kind of nervous and wasn't really hungry. I had a little snack then kept putting one foot in front of the other. 

I'm not sure when, but somewhere around mile 11 the 2:30 pace group passed me. I really didn't have a goal, other than to finish. I was hoping for something under 3 hours. Was really hoping for 2:45, but never thought I could do it under 2:30. When they passed me, I felt defeated. Then I thought what the hell am I doing go pass him. So I did. 

                                         

New goal stay in front of the 2:30 group. Somewhere just after the 12 mile marker I ran into a girl I had met the day before. She was having knee issue and I wanted to walk with her to make sure she was ok, but then the 2:30 group was passing me again. I felt bad leaving her, but I had to beat the 2:30 pace group. Off I went again to keep ahead of them. 

I ended up finishing with a time of 2:29:27. I did it! Somehow I finished in under 2:30!! 

Finish line selfie!

It was a fun race. I would defiantly recommend this race. I'll admit even though I was slow, talked on my phone, sent text messages and kept social media up to date on my progress, this race flew by. The question of the day today is will I run it again? I got an email this morning saying registration is open.

                                         

Have you run the Bird-In-Hand half?