I said "YES"

There are moments when it seem like everything just feels right and the stars are alined something magical happens or something stupid... About 6 months ago a friend of mine asked if I'd do the Tough Mudder with him.  In that moment it felt right the stars were aligned so I said "YES".  Even after I watched the video (you can watch it here http://toughmudder.com if you'd like).  I thought to myself... "It's going to be okay I have 6 months to train for this thing". Well things come up and I didn't train as hard as I probably should have. Not to mention the week before I wasn't able to train at all because of the Kidney Stone experience. That really put me out of commission. So here's how it went down.

 

(My Cute roommate made me some good luck signs)

It rained the night/morning before the race so the condition were extra muddy & cold.  It was overcast and windy & our car read 42 as we pulled into our parking spot.  To say the least it was going to be a cold/wet/muddy 13 mile challenge.  I had 2 goals going into the race.
1. Run the whole thing.
2. Complete every obstacle.

   

Before the race...*Notice the gibberish on my forehead. It was suppose to be my bib number, but the guy writing it was so cold he was shaking!

     I'm not going to go into detail of every challenge, but if you are thinking you want to do this or are wondering what type of obstacles/challenges we did, here is the course map (Course Map).  

   Within a half mile from the start line the first obstacle "Kiss the mud" leaves you wet & muddy.  I knew that being cold would take it's toll mentally & physically.  Within another 1/2 mile, the cold took on a whole new meaning. The Arctic Enema, is a huge dumpster of blue ice water laced with 1000's of pounds of ice cubes with a large obstacle in the middle which forced you to go under water.  I decided at the beginning to not hesitate going into any obstacle.  Saying the cold took my breath away would be a serious understatement.  As my body rebelled and my mind calculated the damages, my legs moved me forward on autopilot.  I dropped beneath the water and it felt like a million needles poking my skull.  My arms became useless as I tried to push my body through the water.  I grabbed the ladder and struggled to pulled myself up and out.  Only obstacle #2 & I knew my legs and arms & hands were going to be useless because of how cold I was going to continue to be. (Almost all the obstacles had some sort of cold water).

 

                                    Will She Make it?                                                   NO!

 We started out with a team of 11, but a short distance in most began to walk.  I told them my goal was to run the whole thing and Casey, Liz, and Jarvis were in.  So the 4 of us took off from the rest of the pack at about mile 3 and worked together to finish together.

 

After the "Mud Mile" obstacle I was feeling pretty good.  Not sure Casey behind me was;)

   At about mile 8 no one was really talking in our little group of 4 we were all more focused on running and finishing. We would pass people that would say "Look, there are still people running".  I love being left alone with my thoughts and feelings & to be able to connect with my spirit.  I learn so much about myself & I believe that's a big reason why I participate or do the things I do.  Being able to completely focus on mind and body & listen.  To be put in a situation or experience that opens the door for you to connect with something within you that you wouldn't if you hadn't had the experience.

OUCH!!

The above was the final obstacle...Electroshock therapy.  This was the most challenging one of them all.  10,000 volts of electricity flowing through 100's of wires as you try to make your way through.  We all start off standing but few make it through without being knocked to the ground after being zapped once.  I got stuck under one of the wires & was continuously shocked about 10 times until my body caught up with my mind & I was able to drag myself out.

 

WE FINISHED!!

  

After the course I felt extremely beat up.  My legs were locked up.  My body temperature was low and I could feel my mental processes breaking down and my hand dexterity not working.  Once I changed out of my wet clothes, it took about 3 hours before I felt like my body was able to warm itself up. The Day after the event, my body had time to rest and process what I had done to it.  To say the least I wasn't moving around very well.  Although my body still fells like it went through something significant, it is on the mend.  My knee's took the biggest beating, they are still banged up a bit.

 I earned my Badge!!