20 KM OF RUNNING
20 CRAZY OBSTACLES
500,000 GALLONS OF MUD
40 TONS OF ICE
1 HUGE LEAP OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE
This is definitely not something I would ever suggest, to myself, or anyone else for that matter. Sure, I've heard people talk about doing it, I've watched their videos and seen their pictures, and I gave them their due kudos for completing it - after telling them they were crazy for doing it in the first place. So never in a million years did I ever see myself running the course....and I still can't quite picture it...every time I try to I wince.
This is going to test my strength, stamina and mental grit more than I’ve ever thought possible. It'll be a journey of epic proportions...and that might be an understatement. I’m bracing myself for the moment where I truly learn the weight of the saying “blood, sweat and tears”. I've watched all of the obstacle videos on the website. There's a chute into freezing ice water...muddy trenches...unclimbable walls....oh and did I meantion 20 km of running?
The average participant completes this event in 2.5/3hrs....that's a lot of running. A LOT of running... I don't run. sure, I hike and bike... I walk the dog every morning before work...I do yoga daily...
... but I do not run.
I wanted to change that.
Along with a few other things.
That's why I bought the ticket.
You'll notice I go on tangents a lot. That's why I'm writing this blog in the first place. Since signing up for this thing a mere 24 hours ago, my minds been racing and I knew I needed to get it all out. I figured if I think I'm crazy for doing this...while also telling myself I have to do this, then maybe someone else has a similar feeling and sharing my journey might not be such a bad idea.
So here we have it: The Journey . I shudder. No really I do! I shudder every time hubby and I have talked about this...did I mention we only signed up 24 hours ago? Yes, we're doing this together - THANK GOD. And my BFF is also running with us; this is definitely a team effort (we're welcoming anyone interested in joining us by the way). On the course you help whoever's closest to you - team or not - but The Journey is going to be the hardest part - having the two people I know will push me to push myself truly does help me wince a little less when I think of the months ahead. In fact, it was hubby who suggested this, pitched the idea. It was a challenge in and of itself just for me to say yes. But I did it. And so did my bestie...so a big huge PHEW to that lol.
Speaking of pushing myself though.... That's one of the reasons I bought the ticket. I haven't pushed myself, truly, to do something since I was in school. The mental effort to motivate myself during my four years at OCAD is something I haven't dealt with in a long time. I loved school, I hated school - it was all about the endgame, the light at the end of the tunnel, the result. I haven't been on that kind of journey in a few years now and this is definitely going to test me.... far more than any exam or interview.
There's also the whole "I need to set a physical activity routine for myself and build a healthier lifestyle" mentality. Like I said... I bike, I hike... but it's not routine. It's not consistent. I needed something to give me no choice but to just do it. Buying that ticket sealed the deal for me more than any gym membership or pinterest board ever will. It's not just because the bill was more than I'd like to mention for both hubby and I to run in this thing... no. It's the principal of having my name on the list and having to show up - and not just show up, but complete it. Signing up is the easy part...it's the work...the blood, sweat and tears that come after, to get me to the point where I'm at the starting line feeling pumped instead of scared - stoked instead of shitting my pants. There's also the huge bragging rights that come with doing something most people are "too scared" or "too busy" or "too out of shape" to do. I don't think I've ever been so excited for a free tshirt lol.
Let's be real: I'm terrified. But I'm also super excited. Michael (aka hubby) and I went for a run/walk today. Our route was 2.3 miles ... I ran probably 60 percent of the time which is better than I thought I'd do. We finished the workout off with some yoga and a good high-protein brunch and it felt good. It felt good to use my muscles! I may not feel the same way tomorrow but I was impressed with myself and that's what felt good. I felt accomplished. It was a very small first step, and a Saturday at home is obviously easier than a day I work both jobs but every little step forward is still a step forward! Tomorrow it's supposed to snow-rain...and it's going to be hella cold...but I'm going to go out and run anyway. Also on the Mudder To-Do List is to draw up a fitness framework to work within over the next 5 months (which is 23 weeks or 159 days) . The website gives you 4 weeks of training ...so I'm hoping our 19 week head-start will do us some good!
I won't post every day, but I will try to post frequently. This is all about personal progress aka The Journey. There may be posts where I swear a lot (I'm warning you now), but my goal for this blog is to look at this experience as positively as I possibly can, to help me keep my can-do attitude in check and most importantly so that I can look back on and be proud of the growth I experienced during this wild and crazy ride.
Here goes nothing !
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