Women Run – The Sanity Chase and a 61st birthday to remember…

I love my birthday. I’ve loved it for, as of now, 61 years.

I love doing something fun, exciting, adventurous, even a bit daring and playful on my birthday… and I love to involve my family.

Well, on October 6th I ran The Sanity Chase – at the beautiful and historic Fort Adams in Newport, RI –  a 5k distance like no other race I’ve ever run. Ever! Because the race included not only Running, but Paddle-Boarding, Rock Climbing, Hula Hooping, Tricycle Riding and Sliding into a pool of chocolate.

Yes, you read this correctly!

Who could resist this on her 61st birthday?

Not me!

So I gathered up a crew of ladies I love, decided on a Team Name and costume, and we became The Super Girls – my daughter Jane, granddaughter Maddie and daughter-in-law Aimee. (My daughter Audrey was set to join us, but two of her babes were under the weather and my granddaughter Taylor and my daughter-in-law Nicole were at a swim camp out-of-state.)

Of course, a Sanity Chase Birthday Super Girl requires super powers, mostly from wearing a bright red cape and a head-full of candles…

… that not even an unexpected rain storm could deter.

Hundreds of women “racers” and spectators were on hand to enjoy the action…

As well as The Super Girls…

With a little Hula Hooping practice before the start of our wave…

Then we were off and Running the beautiful mile along the harbor to the beach and the Paddle-Boarding (which is something I had never done, but will be doing again!)…

It was here that Jane kicked in her plan to enjoy spectating, because she is 5 months pregnant with our 11th grandchild – a Baby Boy due in February! Yeah for grandkids!

Aimee and I ran hard to keep up with Maddie, down to the harbor and onto the awaiting Paddle Boards. OK. Balance and confidence were necessary to pull off (or shall I say, paddle off) this obstacle of paddling around a couple of buoys without falling into the water…

Back on shore, Maddie, Aimee and I joined forces again to RUN the mile back to the start…

Straight to the military grade Rock Wall, manned by the Rhode Island National Guard.

What!?

Yep. We were told to go right to the top!

OK. Harness up!

Footholds notwithstanding, it was very challenging…

CHECK OFF THAT ROCK WALL!

Then another Run and onto Hula Hooping while walking (some say this is impossible!)…

Riding a Tricycle – a real-life kids’ tricycle! Do you know how hard it is to peddle a kids’ tricycle with your grown-up knees out to there and body crunched into a little ball –  through a series of cones!? It was a Sweet Ride!

AND running in fabulous heels while shopping (filling a grocery bag)…

But not too much of a break here, because we were on to the Chocolate Slide…

Here we are… all drenched in chocolate!

Hair, faces, clothing… for the best time of our lives!

I can’t think of a better way to greet 61 and it’s nice to know that a portion of the proceeds from The Sanity Chase directly benefit the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

So this is how I turned 61 AND swam in chocolate.

I’d call this a WIN-WIN and I’ll do it again!

Many thanks to the organizers of The Sanity Chase for a beautifully organized, fabulously fun event, fantastic tech shirt and swag bag… and to the wonderful sponsors: The Preservation Society of Newport County, Island Surf & Sport and Narragansett Beer.

Perfectly done!