So. Cal. - June 2011

As previously mentioned, Andy and I signed up to do a 10K mud run a few months ago. Well, despite our lack of training the day finally came. Friday night we flew into Long Beach, which was just over an hour flight and it was totally do-able for a weekend trip even without the additional Friday or Monday off work. We met up with the other 8 mud-runners in our group, and drove down to Oceanside. We grabbed some Mexican food and called it a night in preparation for our early morning.

Saturday we helped ourselves to the Days Inn continental breakfast and drove a few miles up the road to Camp Pendleton. Compliments of Chris, we were all donning our "I'm Surrounded by Assholes" team T-shirts. Long story....

You're right...when have I ever not told a story on my blog simply because it was long? Well, you see, our team name was "The Assholes". Again, thanks to our trip organizer Chris (whom I may or may not be related to...). I guess that's what happens when you have to pick a team name in the wee hours of morning on New Years Eve. And if you're Chris. Anyway, when I think of a big group of assholes, several of whom are in the same family, my mind immediately goes to one of the best movies of all time. Yes. Spaceballs. Have I ever mentioned that I practically had the movie Spaceballs memorized by the time I ever saw any of the Star Wars movies? Well that is beside the point. Anyway, so we were actually split into two teams pitted against each other...the Assholes and the Assholes 2. And when the two teams started trash talking over email a few days before we left, I joined right in with this....

"Chris, when I think of you I'm reminded of a certain quote:

Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot! I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir! I'm doing my best!
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major Asshole: I did sir. He's my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole sir."

And our team theme was born. For those of you who don't know the rest of this dialogue, it goes something like this...

Dark Helmet: I know that! What's his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir. Asshole, Major Asshole!
Dark Helmet: And his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole too sir. Gunner's mate First Class Philip Asshole!
Dark Helmet: How many asholes do we have on this ship, anyway?
[Entire bridge crew stands up and raises a hand]
Entire Bridge Crew: Yo!
Dark Helmet: I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes!

So Chris (who is indeed my cousin, making the quote freakishly relevant) had the brilliant idea to surprise us all with T-Shirts saying "I'm surrounded by Assholes". And the rest is history. Let me tell you, those shirts were a big hit. I had no less than 20 people comment on it throughout the race....everybody loved them. :)

Anyway, so the race was the race and it was pretty awesome. The rivers/lakes/mud pits that we had to get through were definitely a fun distraction from the fact that we were running a 10k in the summer heat. It was a lot of fun. I would absolutely do one again, however I'd probably be more excited for a 5K given my general avoidance of running. I know they have one in Utah so maybe I'll look into that next year.

When I took my shoe off after the race I found this surprise on my foot. Yes, its a giant blister.

The blister did make the rest of the trip a little difficult (I had to hobble carefully to keep my flip flop from squishing it), but it was not the worst part of my recovery. The worst part was my terribly sunburned face. Not only was I incredibly disappointed in myself for letting it happen in the first place, but it HURT. Not to mention I had a horizontal tan line going right through the middle of my forehead thanks to my headband (see first photo above). For three or four days I was in agony and it looked I'd had a botched acid peel or something. Wahhhhhh!!!!

Anyway, after the race we somehow managed back to our homebase and we were HUNGRY. We set out for the marina again, had some Italian and meandered around town for the rest of the night. Despite our tiredness we managed to have a really good time (except for when I almost got into a physical altercation with Zack over the salt and pepper).

 

The next day we went to Laguna Beach and hung out all day until it was time to head back home. The only detail I remember is that I was challenged to eat an en entire enormous calzone (I do believe cash was involved), and I totally could have done it but I stopped a few bites short because I'm a lady and I didn't want to make Zack feel bad.

 Anyway, all in all it was a very fun weekend trip and I look forward to traveling with these assholes again some day! :)