SoCal Coyote Krispy Kreme Challenge 2013. Sometimes you gotta follow your dreams!

Two weeks ago I got invited by Jimmy Dean Freeman to come Run in a Krispy Kreme Challenge with his Running Club 

The SoCal Coyotes

Run 2 miles eat 12 Donuts Run 2 miles,

Don't Puke!

Sadly I have done this before.

Twice!

2011 Krispy Kreme West

My first attempt the weather really sucked! I ran  barefoot in the rain and I was naive enough to think I may actually enjoy the donuts?  I wanted the win but was defeated by a superior donut eater.

2012 Krispy Kreme West

On my second attempt.  The weather was beautiful. I was now veteran of the event, I came with a game plan and I came for redemption. 

But once again my dreams of Donut glory were shattered by

The Messiah of donate eating.

Never Again!

Eating a dozen donuts is stupid thing to do!

I went to bed last last Thursday with no intention of competing the following day

 but

 If you have ever read my blog before you obviously know that my intelligence should always be questioned and that I hardly ever listen to myself.

Visions of "Sugar Plums" danced through my head.  Who dreams of "Sugar Plums?"  It wasn't Sugar  plums that filled my brain It was Donuts!

 You can't' spell Donut with out Don't and "U"  

Don't you Wanna?

(wait a second that's Fanta not Krispy Kreme)

I awoke up the next morning,went online and told Jimmy I would be racing that night. I also asked him if I need my sandals or not? Now I had to figure out where the hell Westwood Ridge was and how much time I needed to drive North on the 405 form Manhattan Beach to SunSet BLVD on a Friday night in order to arrive by 7:30.

(Stupid 405)

The event was free and Unsanctioned otherwise known as "Fat Ass" (this one quite literally)

Jimmy and and Running Club the "COYOTES" would supply the donuts in exchange for a donation to

 Molly's Mutts and Meows

A pet adoption center where Jimmy and his wife Kate got there Awesome dog Spirit.

High Above Los Angeles we gathered in the hills.  About 40 or so people showed  with around 20 competitors.

Luna Loop Cool!

 (I'm definitely wearing my Luna Sandals surprisingly I was the only one, Go Figure?))

Unlike the other two Krispy Kreme challenges I ran that were held on flat man made terrain, this was a trail running event straight down the side of mountain. 

Since I had the most experience at an event like this Jimmy considered me the favorite and letting me be runner #1
Although I have won a few trail Ultra's I was probably the least experienced trail runner in the race.

 The favorite in the woman's field was Kate Freeman (Jimmy's wife) I had a feeling she was gonna beat a lot of the dudes and had a good chance of beating me.

Not Krispy Kremes!

One of the runners brought his own own Vegan Gluten free dozen.  Although I would love to try one on another day and I respect the dude's effort to stick with his dietary laurels.  They were 3 times denser than Krispy Kremes!  If I had the choice I would have chosen a donut like this but thankfully I didn't have that option.

I case you're wondering what kind of idiots do an event like this,  here we are.  

About 10 seconds before this photo was taken I was handed a swig of Jameson.

Just what I needed right?

(yet another great idea)

Let the fun begin!

From the get go the Coyotes were howling. as they flew down the trail at reckless speeds

"What the hell am I doing here?" 

After running down a tiny little hill at a dangerous pace for me there was already 3 or 4 runners in front of me.  I'm no trail runner! I knew the course was gonna drop down on to some single track but for now I was on fire road and hoping-it-would-would-stay-that-way-for-awhile?

But my hopes were "dashed" (Get it, see all the dashes?) after a few 100 yards the course veered off the fireroad straight down the side of a hill.

The trail was steep I was more focused on not falling down than going fast.  I was moving good for me but the people in front were long gone and a pile up was building behind me.

"Come on guys!"

I could here Kate behind my as I pulled over to the side to let the pack go by.

It was nerve racking, the ceiling was low I ran with a tense, hunched back and couldn't wait to get to the bottom. Once there I hit some fire road and began to make up ground before heading back up.

I was so relieved to finally be running uphill.  Then to my surprise all the people whom had flown past me on  downhill were "walking" up the equally steep uphill. It's only a mile and this took me off guard. "I guess that's what trail runners do?"  I kept a steady pace for a while nipping off most of them as I climbed until I caught up to Jimmy Dean.  I could  see one dude in front of him and I hoped he was a leader?

But it turns out the dude who was winning was way out in front

After chatting/walking with Jimmy for a minute or two I took off now in in third place but I felt like I still had a chance.

Climbing back up to the starting line I lagged a few feet behind the dude that was in second place.  Knowing that the next few minutes were gonna suck a lot worse than climbing a stupid hill.

The fun was over it was time to go to work.

I had a plan?

I grabbed my box of Donuts and proceeded to smash them all together into on solid chunk of future cellulite.

I had been using hands to help climb the steep trail and I was such hurry to start eating that I forgot to wipe them off . "DOH "My outer 2 donuts now had a bonus layer of 

 "Trail sprinkles"  I pretended it would help eliminate some of the overwhelming sweetness.

So Gross!

From the very first bite it was disgusting. Chewing was going way to slow so I began swallowing chucks about 1/3 of a donut in size.  I have super tiny mouth and have a hard swallowing a vitamin without water. Why I have confidence in myself at an event like this I have no clue?

I watched as the leader finished his final donut while I still had half my 12/12 still in my hands.  It also looked like Jimmy was finish as well.  It felt slow but got focused on swallowing as much as I could while drinking about  4oz of water.  I finished my Donuts in just over 5 minutes. and took off running Now firmly in 2nd place but about 2-3 mins behind the leader

(surprisingly my donut eating time was over 1 min faster than at my last event)

I was happy to be done my stomach felt 100% I hadn't given up but my chances of winning didn't seem to great but neither were my chances of coming in third. I had finished my donuts before most the other people had finished their first lap.

Bonus pic's:

Kate's basically a dude trapped in hot chicks body.  I wonder if she would consider this a compliment?

:)

I had about 1/4 mile lead on third and 

The waves were Epic?

Wait a second I remember that dude from San diego!

Flash Back

When I started running downhill on the second lap, my legs felt tired? (What a wimp) I ran hard not enjoying it one bit.  I've said it before and I'll say it again I hate the confinement of single track trails.  I felt like cow going off to the slaughter and much prefer the freedom of open spaces. 

I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the leader but he was nowhere to be seen and I ran hard back up the hill. finishing in second place.

I know what your thinking "Pat Why are you wearing so much clothes?

Good Question!

before the race I decided to wear my large Luna shirt instead of my usual medium thinking it would provide more room for a belly full of donuts. Dumb Decision!  I should have never worn the shirt in the first place, it   soaked with sweat instantly and it was so big it felt like I was wearing a dress on top of my skirt (Sport Kilt). I may never wear a shirt again.

Overall I'm glad I ran in the event but I made a lot of mistakes.  I'm disappointed in myself for walking some of the climb I would have never have done it if I didn't see everyone else doing it first. (I guess it's a good lesson for me about running my race.)  Had I ran a little better I may have had a chance at the win but I was never really in this event. From the very first step the dude who won wanted it more  and most deservedly got the win.

"Good Job Jimmy!"

At the finish there was a bonus challenge.

All runners had to finish one additional donut.  I gave Jimmy a Stone Pale ale to help wash it down

 HA HA

;):

Are you okay?

A few minutes after Jimmy, in came Kate in about 6th or so place to show Jimmy how its done!

Awesome Video # 1

Thank you to the Coyotes for letting me run with you. Everybody was super nice and the volunteers were amazing.  I hope next time we meet it's for a BEER MILE.

Awesome Video #2

 Congrats to Brian on the dominating win.

After the race Brian was desperately trying to puke. He had grabbed a beer and was running back and forth trying to make somthing happen so that he could get all that crap food out of system.

As for me?

 Eh whatever!

I drank a couple Stone Ales and then the next morning made the darkest pot of coffee I had ever seen.  Soon after the donuts exited out the other end and I down to the beach to where I could Run Free.

Strange things happen in these mountains after dark

It was after 9 p.m. by the time I finally left, 

always  bridesmaid, never a bride!  3 attempts 3 second place finishes.

Was this my final Krispy Kreme Challenge?

What do you think?

;)

Bearded and Barefoot. Guess who won the 2013 Roundhouse Aquarium 5k?

Three weeks go on Memorial day I missed a chance to defend my title at the Manhattan Beach 5K.  Unbenounced to me that switched the date and I already had a vacation planned with the family.  

Perhaps, I could ditch my family a day early ? But the race was $40 for a 5k, and the prize was a cookie (which I think I is kind of cool) but since it is not vegan and I would have no family to share it with if I did win, the choice was a no brainer?

I unequivocally (thank you spell check) made the right decision and had a great time as always with nephews.

Looking in the paper when I got back home I saw a blurb about a an inaugural race coming up one june 8th

"The Round House Aquarium Fun Run for the Oceans"

held on 

"World Oceans Day."

It sparked my interest and then after running the Grand View 5k last week I was handed a entry form and decided to run.  "A beach run to benefit a really cool place that I have been going to my whole life."  There was no way I was gonna miss this event, not to mention it was cheaper than the mb5k with the money going to good cause.

You see that funny looking Iconic Building at the end of the pier?  That is known as the "Roundhouse"

It's bigger than it looks from a distance. Ever since I can remember they have had an Aquarium inside.  It's free to the public and highly recommend stopping by if you're ever near the manhattan Beach pier. 

If your from manhattan Beach chances are you have picture of the pier somewhere in your home.  I probably run under that pier about 500 times a year and the pics you see are from the few times I have carried my camera.

Last Wednesday I decided to stop by the Roundhouse and Drop off my Entry form in the midst of my daily run.  It had been a year or so since I had last gone inside and I was excited to see some of the Sea Life

I haven't seen an eel that big since I last went scuba diving in mexico.

I could of stared at that jellyfish all day long but I still had a run to finish.

The lady who took my entry at the roundhouse was super nice, she also very excited about the race and so was I.

The course  runs North from the Manhattan Beach pier approximately 2.5km  before heading back. Unlike the MB5k which runs the same stretch of sand early in the morning.  This event was to be held at high tide making it much more difficult as runners would be forced either splash through the water, run on the canter of the beach or run through deep soft sand.  (most likely all three). Although this would make the race more difficult.  It would heavily favor barefoot runners and especially those use to running in soft sand.

Do you know anyone that might fit that bill?

Friday night I got my gear (I mean Beard) ready to go for the next morning.?

I woke up feeling a bit out of sorts.  I stumbled to the fridge to grab somthing to drink when all of sudden I felt like I was gonna  puke.  (Was I pregnant? I didn't think so).  Some rogue bacteria or virus had attacked me. I tried to eat some oatmeal but it felt like it was come right out,  I gulped a few glasses of water and headed to the beach feeling like crap.

Earlier In the week I had received a couple boxes of my Favorite Raw Energy Bars from the Bearded Brothers. hopefully having one or two before the race would pull me out of my funk. The Mighty Maca Chocolate bar is my favorite and after eating one I felt  alot better but still not that great.

While the other runners stretched and warmed up i played frisbee with my 70 year old mom waiting for my sister and nephews to arrive.

Who knew frisbee could be so dangerous? Just after releasing the disc my nephew Lucas was attacked by a giant sand serpant.

"Bearded Brothers"

They grow up so fast.

After a little sitting around my stomach had settled and it was time to line up.

 A few hundred people had come to race and like I had predicted the tide was very high.

I lined up in front and with in the first few hundred feet I was all alone.  the embankment was steep and sand was softer than I expected my pace was slow but steady and steadily getting slower.

I hugged the tide as it surged up the shore and every few hundred yards I found myself running through water.  By the time I hit the turnaround which was up on the soft sand I had at least a 30 second lead.

All I had to do was maintain a reasonable pace,  wave to my fans and the win would be mine for my third race in row.  It didn't come easy each step felt like a small battle against myself but this was only 5km  and it would be over soon.

As I neared the finish line my nephew joined me for the last 150 yards or so as I crossed the line a minute before the second place finisher.

 I didn't have much strength to begin with that morning I was lucky to finish in first and I was even luckier to have my nephews there to help carry me around after the race

:)

With the support of my family there and another win under my shorts (i don't wear a belt!) The virus that attacked me disappeared and I had a great morning. 

For my win I scored a $100 to the South Bays best running store 

"The Village Runner"

and 

$100 Dinner for 2 to some fancy Restaurant  that you have to make a reservation for.

"Circa"

(I wonder if I have to wear shoes)

It was not my best day but a good day thank you to the Bearded Brothers  and my Bearded Nephews for your support.

After the run I took my nephews and my bearded sister up to the "Round" House to sea the sea life.

 then guess where we went to lunch?

"Round" table pizza.

Life is Good!