WinterRock Fatass & Coleen's Frozen Fatass RR

This is a ridiculously long report about the WinterRock Fatass & Coleen's Frozen Fatass from last Saturday.

FlatRock - WinterRock
I got up way too early, got dressed, snuck out of the house magically without waking up the kids or the dogs thinking only about how crazy I was to be heading out for a three hour drive just to run a trail.  Tossed everything in the car and headed out after a quick stop for gas and coffee.  The drive was thankfully uneventful.  I got to Independence a bit early and stopped for breakfast at a little coffee shop while waiting for Mish to get there (she had kindly agreed to meet me in Indy and let me follow her to the race start).  A 5-10 minute drive later we pull into the parking lot I'd seen in several FlatRock photos and videos.

After a trip to the bathroom, a few pictures of the grounds, and some chatting with Mish and some of the other runners the RD called us all around for the rules and tips about the trail.  Mainly...follow the blue and don't complain.  We lined up on the gravel road and took off up the black top for the start.  I ran with Mish and let all the fast people pass me.  It was freezing on the road thanks to the wind, but the second we dropped down into the grass and started the trail I had to start peeling layers off (the sleeves of my jacket/vest, gloves and buff all came off with in minutes).  Once the actual trail started I think I said something to the effect of, "Holy crap Mish" and that was about the end of running with Mish.  I had to slow to remove layers and climb a rock/moss/rain slick hill at the same time and Mish just powered on which was totally fine as I didn't expect her to hang with slow flatrock newbie picture taking me.

I think I hiked most of the first section trying to run where I felt I could safely and trying to not fall too far back.  However when I came up into the huge rock formations and the vista views I slowed considerably to take pictures.  If I remember correctly the first 2 miles were pretty much up and down rocks with small bits of trail that are runable-ish.  Most of the rocks at on the trail move and they were covered in a thick layer of leaves so I had a hard time telling which rocks were sturdy and which ones would roll my ankles...again.  Not so amusingly at one point I rolled a rock over with the toe of my right shoe and it hit the inside of my left ankle.  My left ankle is more of a purple Cankle now, but unless I hit it on something it doesn't hurt.  All the bad stuff being said, the trail is incredibly beautiful.  Anytime I felt safe looking up I was rewarded with a beautiful view of the lake or a rock formation or just a giant rock wall 5-6 times as high as I am tall, and the next thing I knew I was at the turn around for the 12k.  I actually stood there for a few minutes talking to the volunteer and debating about heading on through for the 25k.  In the end I decided that I, A: really shouldn't do 15 miles on that trail that day, and B: really still wanted to go to Coleen's Frozen Fatass later that day (slightly influenced by the fact that I had posted I was doing both on FB) so I headed back.  Most of the return trip was spent by myself on the trail and again it was just beautiful.  I saw things on the way back that I missed on the way out and took even more pictures (I literally probably lost 15 mins of time just taking pictures of the trail).

In the end I got back to the shelter in 2:14...something with a total mileage of 7.38.  Not bad for my first trip on a trail with sometimes precarious footing.

After I got done I had some fabulous chicken noodle soup & probably 4-5 cups of hot chocolate while waiting for Mish.  I really wanted to see her finish and it was fun cheering in all the other people (cowbells and all!).  Plus I got to hang out with the RD's and chat with them about their adventures.  After Mish got back and we chatted a few minutes she was kind enough to drive me back to the highway so I could head off to Coleen's.  Thank you Mish!!

Coleen's Frozen Fatass:

The drive from Independence to Olathe for Coleen's Frozen Fatass took FOREVER.  Or at least it felt that way.  I had to stop about 15 times to pee and walk around.  It probably didn't help that it was dark, and I got lost twice.  The getting lost is not a surprise so much since I do that on a fairly regular basis anyway, and the first time it wasn't a big deal at all, only lost 15 min going down the wrong highway.  The second was FAR more annoying as I was lost about a mile from where I needed to be and google kept telling me different ways to get there.  Thankfully I was only a little bit late and the run was a 12 hr thing more about running however many loops you wanted instead of running a prescribed distance.

I got there, got signed in, got my number and chatted with some friends while trying to figure out when or if my friend Kris had gotten there.  For the record, at this point nearly the only reason I went was because I told Kris I was going to.  Ah, the benefit of friends.  Magically Kris came in from her first loop just as I was about to head out for mine.  She needed a breather and some food so we hung out in the little house there for a bit and then headed out.  The run here was SO completely different than at FlatRock.  Continuous running felt good and not having to run over moving rocks and climb stuff was nice.  Picking our way through the icy patches and water crossings not so much.  Chatting with Kris made the first lap go by quickly and we got back to the house in 34 something (it was a 3 mile loop). More food for Kris (I was a bit off food at that point) and we headed back out for our last loop which I only did because Kris needed someone to make her do it.  I am far more motivated to do something if it will help somebody else get it done too.  Thanks for letting me be "drill sargent" Kris!!

About half way through the last loop I realized that I would do a half marathon that day.  This was totally unintentional and honestly a bit surprising.  I kept shaking my head like it couldn't really be 13 some odd miles for the day (admittedly I'm not good at math when I'm running so I was also trying to make sure I didn't screw up carrying a number over or whatever).  I felt okay at that point, but the half marathon realization made me feel wonderful/strange/crazy/amazingly badass all at once which helped me finish that loop.  Admittedly the hills where difficult on the last lap and I walked to the "finish line".

Total miles at Coleen's 5.86.  Total time 1:21 something.

Total miles for the day 13.28.  Total time for the day 3:35 something

It was a pretty awesome day, that I'm still recovering from.  I spent most of today trying to do as little as possible and to drink as much water as possible.  I think I was pretty close to dehydration after the last loop at coleen's, and spending Sunday in the car and at my FIL's house didn't help.  In the end though not bad for my first trail half total mileage 13.24 and a total time of 3:35 something.  The road half I did was 3:18 so I'm super happy with that time...especially given that I didn't really plan on doing a half marathon Saturday and I sure as heck didn't fuel for one.