13/52

LOL

I wouldn't call myself superstitious, but it does seem slightly coincidental that I am writing about a Zombie Run on the 13th week of my blog. 

Over the summer my brother asked Brian and I if we wanted to do a Zombie Run.  Brian and Nathan did a 5k together in 2010 (and I think I was invited, but politely declined).  It is in my goals to run two 5k races by July 2016, so it seemed like a good idea to get this one on the books right away.  I had just started running and thought that 10 weeks was plenty of time to prepare.  We registered and Brian got started on his Couch to 10k program.  At the time, I was working out in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ran on Wednesdays and did Pound twice a week. (that's enough, right?)  Shortly after that, my whole world turned upside down with Pound.  I went from taking classes two nights a week with Kim, to no classes at all for about a month, to teaching Pound four days a week.  About two weeks ago, my brother texted me.  His son, Jacob, was going to Homecoming the same night of the Zombie Run and he didn't want to miss it (I will leave out the part where I noticed that he was no longer running).  That made me realize that I hadn't really been doing any running either!  So the next day, I set out to run as far as I could (or run 3.1 miles, whichever came first).  I used my Nike Running app, cranked up OneRepublic's Native album, put in my earbuds and started to run (it's really more of a jog honestly).  Wow, miles are long.  And three of them were almost more than I could handle.  But I did it.  And when I stopped running, it sort of felt like stepping off roller skates.  My legs and feet were very confused.  Fortunately, it didn't last too long.

I ran a few more times after that, but I'm telling you - NONE of it prepared me for this Zombie Run. 

Brian and I - starting the race late. (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

First of all, it was 50-some degrees outside and windy!  Anyone who knows me knows that I have no internal body heat whatsoever.  So I have to layer up when the temperature is below 70 degrees.  I had three layers (one Under Armour type top, one fleece jacket and then my "Run! Zombies are Coming!" t-shirt.  With a hat and gloves I looked positively ridiculous.  Secondly, we were late.  There was miscommunication about the start time.  By the time we arrived, runners were at the starting line.  We checked in, got our three flags, our numbers and a quick run down (oh my gosh, no pun intended) of the event.  By the time we got to the starting line, the runners were out of sight.  Then we were told to get started and we would get caught up. 

Unfortunately, I don't have action shots.  The zombies were all over the course, but not at the start/finish line, which is where Emma and Isaac had to stay.  I started running at my usual pace.  But I can tell you that I did not get more than 10 yards after that parking lot ended before the first zombie was apparently so hungry that he sprinted after me.  I should have just given up my flag, but I didn't think that was a good way to start the race, so I sprinted too.  I just barely made it away from him, only to realize that I could barely breathe!  And I would still need to be breathing if I wanted to get to the finish line.  Another zombie tore after me not 50 yards later.  I relinquished my first flag.  The zombies were stationed all along the path, so they didn't have to move far to make a grab for your flag.  Meanwhile, you're just trying to keep air in your lungs!  The event coordinators were right, it wasn't long before Brian and I caught up to the group of runners.  But they weren't running.  They were all walking.  I thought to myself, maybe this is the back of the pack, and they had no intention of running.  And after losing my last two flags in quick succession, I figured out their strategy.  They were doing interval running.  They would sprint when they encountered zombies and walk in between.  And I'll tell you, these zombies were not dragging their leg behind them moving at a snail's pace.  Most of them were young... and fast!!

I watched Brian outwit many of the zombies.  He would jog really slow until they approached him and then he would surprise them by sprinting and dodging them.  He managed to hang on to two of his flags right up until the end.  Once I lost my flags, I tried to run along side him to protect one of his flags whenever we approached zombies.  It worked until my heart felt like it was going to explode and I started walking until the pain subsided.  The next time I saw him, he only had one flag.  And he crossed the finish line with that flag.  He survived! 

We finished!  And Brian survived with one flag remaining! (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

A couple of the best zombies we saw.  Look at all the flags she has!  (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

After the race, we could see that the zombies' makeup was pretty impressive. (Photo Credit: Emma Proehl)

Aside from the fact that whenever I inhale too deeply or laugh it sends me into a wheezing coughing fit, I feel fine - and it was A LOT of fun! I would definitely do it again (if only to get the whole 5k thing off my goal list).

So listen, we (Brian, me, Nathan and Jacob) also signed up for a Zombie Apocalypse event with the Geneva Park District. I think it's similar to this, but without the 5k distance.  It's Saturday, October 24th.  If you aren't doing anything that night - come out and join us!  It sounds like a riot.  I have three weeks to work on some interval running so I can be more prepared. Because I really want to survive the Zombie Apocalypse.  And you should join us, because I want you to survive too.  Or so you get taken down by the zombies so I can survive.  I mean, join us, I want you to survive.  :)