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Through Heather's Looking Glass

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Zombie Run Recap

April 9, 2013 | running

I was invited to the Gulfport, MS Zombie run which took place on Saturday. I couldn’t wait to go because I have never done anything other than regular road racing. No mud runs, color runs, or obstacle courses. This was my chance to do something different and be chased by zombies in the process. Not gonna lie, I HATE when things jump out at me. I was a bit apprehensive going into the race, but turns out I had nothing to fear. So let me stat by explaining how this race works. First off, it’s not really a race. It wasn’t timed, and waves went off every 15 minutes during the day. You ran a 3.1 mile obstacle course that just happened to have blood sucking zombies all over it. You wore a flag belt (think high school P.E. class) with three flags for each person. Your goal was to get to the end of the race and still have at least one flag. If so, you got a “survivor” medal. if not, you got an “infected” medal. Either way you finish the race and get a medal. Win/win for everyone. Well, no one really wants to get eaten but you get the point. There were also a couple of opportunities along the course to earn flags back, but more on that later.

I was supposed to do this race with some blogger friends. We were to be zombies in the morning, then run the course ourselves in the afternoon. However, Bobby decided to race his first triathlon that day which I of course had to see, so I skipped out on the zombie part and just showed up after lunch for the running portion. When I arrived, my blogger friends were just finishing up being zombies, and they were hungry for a snack. Me!

zombie16

Ok so that was a joke, but they looked really creepy and it was hard to look them in the face and talk to them.

zombie15

Mindy, me, Larisa, and Gina

Mindy and Larisa were tired and left after their zombie shift, but Gina stayed with me so we could run the course together. We were in the 1:15 wave, and it was just about time, so we headed to the start line and put on our flags.

zombierun1

It was about this time I realized I had rushed out of the house so quickly after Bobby’s triathlon that I had neglected to put on sunscreen. I would pay for this mistake later. The bagpipe zombie played a tune and it was time for our wave to go. We started off running through a field and hit our first obstacle (all obstacles were optional.)

zombie2

The next one was right after and the one I wish I had photos of. It was just a giant tarp made to be a slip-n-slide going down a hill. Lots of fun diving and sliding on my stomach, but I didn’t really think it through because then I was soaking wet for the rest of the race. We soon encountered our first zombies, and our wave of about 20 people realized it was best to charge them all together and make it more confusing for them. Some zombies just stayed in place and would lunge left or right for a flag, but some would flat out chase you down! We made it through the first set unscathed (Gina and I at least) and then we headed into the woods and came across some dead bodies.

zombie3

Then we had to climb a very steep hill.

zombie4

We are brave girls in the woods!

zombie5

This guy took one of my flags.

zombie6

We had to go across a couple of mud pit type areas (no standing water just VERY muddy and sloshy) and encountered lots of zombies along the way. I was chased down by another zombie, and had one flag remaining at mile one and the water stop. Crap. At this point I realized I wasn’t going to make it with all my flags and would just try to earn one back later, so I just let a zombie have my third flag.

zombie7

That one in front took my flag

There were some hay bails to climb which I decided to just walk around, and a bunch of zombies chased down our wave.

photo (1)

Gina and I kind of separated from the wave at this point, a few people got trapped up on the hay bales and I think people were trying to distract the zombies and we just kept going. Some friends we are right? We passed this yucky pit where you cold try to get a flag back but it looked gross and we decided to skip it. We soldiered on, passed a few more zombies, and made it to the place where Gina and the other girls had been zombies that morning. Basically it was a big raised platform ten feet or so off the ground and there were nerf darts scattered everywhere but zombies were guarding them. You had to try and get two darts, then climb the hay bales to get on top of the platform and shoot at the zombies. if you hit one, you got a flag back. Since I didn’t have a flag to lose, I just waltzed up and picked up two darts before making my way up the platform. My first shot was not so great, and I missed.

zombie8

I took a little more time and concentrated on the next one, and actually hit a zombie square in the back of the head!

zombie9

I went down to collect my flag but they had run out. Bummer! Luckily a fellow runner had extra and gave me one of his. We hit some hurdles and Gina got an action shot for me.

zombie10

We knew we were close and we had one final obstacle which Gina tackled for us, crawling on the ground again through a tunnel. We turned the last corner and the finish line was in sight.

zombie11

We crossed, grabbed our survivor medals, and took some pictures.

zombie12

zombie14

We went into the finishers area where they had a stage and a band playing. They also had beer (everyone got one free one) and food, which you had to pay for. I was a bit bummed by the lack of free food or drinks because we were hungry!

zombie1

I knew I was frying in the sun (I ended up turning So red on my shoulders and back) so we took off soon after and headed home.

zombie13

Overall thoughts:

The concept for the race is great, but being the first one here I felt it was a bit disorganized. When you asked volunteers or people wearing “race official” clothing on, they usually didn’t know the answers to our questions. The obstacles were fun and the Zombies looked awesome, but it just wasn’t very scary. Maybe hosting it early in the morning or at night would have been better? Loved that they had water stops along the course, and loved getting a medal at the end.  It was nice having a band and the little finishers area, but none of us realized we would have to pay for the food and were really confused about that part. My wave wasn’t until 1:15 and it was a lot smaller than the earlier waves and Gina said there were a lot less zombies. A lot of the zombies we did see were exhausted from being out there so long so they weren’t as fun/understandably didn’t want to keep playing the part (it was a hot day!) I laughed a lot during the run, and my muscles were sore the next day from climbing, darting, sprinting, etc. The fairgrounds were a great place to host the event, and I had a blast doing something new and fun while incorporating my love for running.

I think with a little feedback and tweaks for next year this event could be bigger and better. I would definitely run this race again if they made a few minor tweaks to how things were run. I would encourage you to do an event if they come to your area! I hate that I missed being a zombie because the girls said it was fun, but running was super fun as well! I also love that Zombie Run gives money to charity, and were here supporting Smile Train. If you live in Orlando, Chicago, Vermont, or Michigan be on the lookout because Zombie Run is coming to you!

QOTD: Have you ever done a zombie run? Would you ever run one?

*I was comped a free entry into this race however all thoughts and opinions are as always, my own.

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Comments

  1. Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:28 am

    zombies scare me but this looks like a lot of fun!

  2. Lesley says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:59 am

    That looks like so much fun, and a great excuse to enjoy some good weather.

  3. Mindy @ Road Runner Girl says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:01 am

    I just love that picture of us trying to eat you lol!!!! One of my favorites from the weekend! I hate I couldn’t stay and run with you. I definitely want to try to run it next time!

  4. Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:02 am

    this looks like such a fun race!!! something different to change things up!

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:20 am

      exactly!

  5. Erin @RunandLaughThruLife says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:13 am

    That sounds like fun! I was actually thinking about doing the Zombie Run in MI but I picked the Color Run as my fun run instead.. maybe next year I’ll switch it up.

  6. M. Love says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Sounds fun!! I’ll have to keep my eye out for it!! 🙂

  7. Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:00 am

    Zombies!!! EEEK! Looks scary but really fun. Thank goodness it was during the day!

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:31 am

      night would have been way scarier

  8. Tara @ I'm Fit Possible says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:22 am

    Aww great pics! Too bad that you weren’t able to rock the “zombie” wear! It sounds like a really fun experience! Cheers, Tara

  9. Jen says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Hilarious! It reminds me of kids playing on the playground.

  10. Lynda @ Hit The Road Jane says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:42 am

    This looks like such a fun race!!!! I think I’ve heard of one where everyone is a zombie and you just try to tag each other to make it through the course. I would totally do this! You should come to Ireland with Larisa and I this year for the Dublin race!! Tell your hubby to make plans 😀

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:20 am

      haha I wish! We are already signed up for dumbo (and $$ to fly to CA) tower of terror and dopey so lots of travel expenses already unfortunately!

  11. Frank@The Fat Runner says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Looks like a fun thing to do to break up the routine of road racing. I would definitely do something like this in the future but I guess I need to be in better shape for the obstacles.

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:20 am

      obstacles were optional!

  12. Lauren says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:15 am

    This actually looks like fun! I have thought about doing a Zombie Run, but I figured people would be jumping out at you, and I don’t like being scared either haha!

  13. Heather @fitncookies says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:27 am

    This race looks so fun, but I can’t believe you had to PAY for food after! I am sure that the race wasn’t cheap, so something should have been provided, or you should have known ahead of time! I would do a run like this, though!

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:19 am

      yeah we were a little surprised

  14. Amanda @runtothefinish says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:16 am

    i’ve heard the disorganized thing from most people who have done it at this point. i think it would be an interesting day…but I ‘m not sure I”ll do one 🙂

  15. Jen says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Looks like you had a ball! I’ve never even heard of a race like this until you told me about it over the weekend. Cool concept!

  16. Kristy @KristyrunsKato says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Way to go! My town is holding its very first Zombie run this month at our local ski area. I am trying to decide if I want to sign up or not… I am afraid of how hilly/muddy the course is going to be!! Your course looks doable!! I’m torn!

  17. Lisa (Mom to Marathon) says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I have always wanted to run one of these. I’m glad to hear it was fun. I don’t mind a little disorganization when a race is new. Hopefully next year will be better.

  18. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I was cracking up at your photos on instagram… you guys were having way too much fun. 🙂

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:16 am

      it was super fun!

  19. Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Great race recap! Sorry to hear about your sunburn hopefully if heals quickly.

  20. vickie says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    I would love a zombie race! I hope the bring one to Utah!

  21. Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    This run looks like SO much fun!!! 🙂

  22. Jodi says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    I would love to do a zombie run! My husband and I are faithful watchers of The Walking Dead and have talked about a zombie attack plan so it would be a great practice run, lol! I love that you either got a survivor or infected medal. That’s a great touch.

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:15 am

      too funny! A lot of walking dead fans wanted to come run!

  23. Beth Barbara says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    Well you made it look awesome, but I don’t think I could do a Zombie run! But I loved reading about your experience!

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:15 am

      sure you could!

  24. Kierston @candyfit says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    I haven’t but I totally would! I too fear when things jump out at me lol

  25. Ali says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    Looks like fun! I’m beyond clumsy so don’t think I’d be too good at obstacles while running haha

  26. Bryanna Gondeiro says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Not going to lie Zombie’s freak me out, thus I don’t know if I could ever do this run. I have never been the type of person who did well with anything/one chasing me. At haunted houses, you dont want to be near me. Sounded like a neat run though,, and something I have never heart of…Glad you had fun

    • Heather says

      April 10, 2013 at 6:14 am

      too funny!

  27. Gina @ Noshing on Asphalt says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Soooooo sooooo so much fun! Glad we got to ‘run’ it together. =D

  28. Patti Smith says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    I almost signed up for this one but opted to run the Hattiesburg Clinic Rise and Shine instead. It was my first :):) I just wasn’t sure about the whole zombies chasing me concept for my first race :p

  29. Karen :0) says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    Sounds like you had a good race and I love the concept/idea behind the race. Sorry about getting sunburned!

Trackbacks

  1. runningwithsass says:
    April 9, 2013 at 2:01 am

    Zombie Run Recap…

    I was invited to the Gulfport, MS Zombie run which took place on Saturday. I couldn’t wait to go because…

  2. Zombie Run Recap | Noshing On Asphalt says:
    April 10, 2013 at 5:35 am

    […] I stayed to “run” it with Heather.  And I’m so glad I did.  We had a blast tackling obstacles together! It was all about teamwork and fun.  For a full recap on the run portion, check out Heather’s post. […]

  3. April Flashback: 2013 | Through Heather's Looking Glass says:
    April 4, 2014 at 6:49 am

    […] at the end of March or beginning of April I participated in the local Zombie Run! It was fun, I was bummed I couldn’t this […]

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I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
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