Zombies, Running, Beers, Oh My!

The Zombie Run was a blast - over 1,200 runners came out to support the local firefighter charity and battle over 100 zombies!!! I finished the race, but lost my flags a little over 3/4 of the way through. There is no amount of training that can prepare you for the adrenaline rush you get - it is like 3rd grade recess and dodge-ball all over again. There were four friends that dared to do the race with me, and as soon as we crossed the start line, I lost sight of them all. It was a mad house that began with an uphill sprint. People were scrambling everywhere! After about 300 yards at a top speed sprint and just past the first set of zombies, I realized that I had not trained nearly or properly enough and was clutching my side and begging for a time out. The second set of zombies was a breeze and dad would have been proud of my razzle dazzle, give 'em the old okey doke, zig and zag running back style moves. That feeling didn't last long...the third set of zombies was a doozie. As I was hurdling over a set of hay bales, a zombie bride appeared out of nowhere, and in slow motion just like in the movies, I watched her snatch my first flag. What a huzzie. I was a bit disappointed, but still had one flag left. About that same time, I come across a guy spewing his guts right in the middle of the course. I am guessing his fat crap and desire to continue morphed into overexertion.  I applauded his spirit, but had to keep going...there were zombies behind us!

I can't lie: I sorta cheated. One of the race coordinators gave me an extra flag and I was back in the game with two! About 3/4 of the way through, we head over a hill and there are about 30 zombies blocking the alley. The zombies must have read my mind telling them to "Just let me get through this one section, please!" because I made it through unscathed. However, as we enter the next zombie zone, I feel a hand grab a hold of my [slimming] muffin top, yanking my flag. I yelled at her a bit, because no one likes being groped, but the race had to continue. There was about 1/4 of a mile left and I was feeling good, thinking I may get one of the brain prizes for finishing with a flag. As soon as those thoughts crossed my mind, the door opens to a port-a-potty and a little seven year old kid in full zombie garb reaches out and gingerly grabs my last flag. Sneaky damn kid. Lynn, a friend that stuck the race out with me (the three others were already enjoying their free beer at this point), and I were both out of flags and made a plan to run linebacker intervention for those few in our pack with flags remaining. Out of the whole race, that part may have been the most fun. The Greensboro Roller Derby girls were the last set of zombies, all on roller skates. I do want to point out that everyone knows that real zombies cannot roller skate and this was a serious faux pas for any serious zombie virtuoso.  Regardless of this slight plot error, those were some hard core ladies (hopefully I will be ready to try out in the spring), but we got our new friends across the finish line intact. 

Overall, it was AWESOME and I am so glad that I ventured out of my comfort zone to participate. Eric has committed to doing it with me next year, so we have a whole year to get into super zombie slayer shape. They caught us in the act so pictures are soon to follow!