Leading up to the race, I wasn't sure if I would run due to foot issues, and time issues. An email came out a few weeks back saying if you are slow, don't do the 10km race... So, how slow is slow??? This had me considering the 5km race instead, but that would put me on a different island than all the other maniacs. I confirmed with the race director that I could make the decision while on the mud, 5km or 10km. He had also suggested that if any of us were feeling tired, or uncertain, we could "pull a Rosie" and cut the route short by skipping some of the course.
Race Day:
With my backpack on my back (since I didn't know where I'd end up, Moose Island or Long Island), I got in the start with our RM group. The 5k'ers formed a cheering tunnel for our start, which was awesome!
The run started on a pebbled beach. Not too long in and we were in the mud flats. The shoes will never be the same.
Through a few streams up to our ankles, past some old men out digging for clams, through the light fog, and through some more water. I ran as much as I could, but when the footing got tough, I walked. I turned my ankles more times than I can count. But, luckily, there was always a pool of cold sea water to run through shortly after each ankle turn.
At the start of the race, the director told us about a boat in the mud. I thought he said it was at 2.5km. I saw this boat at 30 minutes into my run and felt crushed. If I was that tired at 2.5km, and it took me that long, there was no way I could finish 10km. But, I was wrong. I rounded the corner to see the finish line for the 5km. Phewph. The first 5km done in 37 minutes... Not too shabby for this race.
Through the knee deep water and through the mud,
and we were soon running past the 10km finish line (about 6km into the race). I looked for any maniacs who might have finished, and there was bicycle.boy! A quick stop for congrats, and for him to take my pack (thanks, Ian!) and I was off again.
Coming up to the hole in the rock,
there was Brendan running down the rocky hill! Through the rock and down to the "mud mogels" and around the other 2 islands of the Five Islands. The view was just unbelievable.
I did the loop, and came back through the hole in the rock and was cheered on to the finish by the other 5 maniacs! (Time: 1:22)
After a few hours on the island, back on the boats and the race was all over.
The photos are all "borrowed" from the Not Since Moses 2008 facebook site. Check them out!
You did awesome 
