Muddy Dash, Pleasanton CA — November 22, 2025

Yesterday I completed my 3rd half marathon as part of my 52@52 challenge! This one was definitely unique – the distance wrapped around the Muddy Dash event in Pleasanton, CA.

How I Did It

• I started running before the official Muddy Dash, clocking some solo kilometers with plenty of energy and scenic motivation. The route map below (from Komoot – I’ll talk about it in the future) shows the full distance, including the Muddy Dash event itself and the extra kilometers I added after the finish line.

• I captured photos at the most beautiful spots along the way, especially before the event began – and snagged a video with my 360 camera during the Dash!

Muddy Dash Memories

• Laura, my daughter, joined me for the entire Muddy Dash and kept going alongside me until we reached the full half marathon distance (22.1 km)! You can see her in the video.
• The Muddy Dash was a blast: a lively course packed with water, muddy passages, sudsy obstacles, and so much laughter. Soap bubbles at the finish made the perfect ending.
• Some friends from work joined the Muddy Race too. While we didn’t end up running together (thanks to my staggered start from doing the challenge mileage), their high-fives and cheers pushed me at the end, and we got the crew together after the race for a deserved meal.

How It Felt

• My legs held up way better than last weekend! I mostly felt some nagging pain in my calf and feet – kind of like tendon pain, though I’ve never been diagnosed – but it didn’t slow me down.
• Around halfway through the Dash (about 5km), the discomfort from last week flared again, from hired up on the back of my left leg going down – but it was less severe and it faded as I kept moving. Progress!

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Overall:
This run had everything – muddy fun, family, scenery, and the slow, steady beat of progress. Half marathon #3 is complete! Onward to next week’s adventure.