The Tough Mudder Challenge

Well after serious self convincing to get up Saturday morning to meet my fellow teammates, we competed in the 1st Tough Mudder Challenge in Colorado at Beaver Creek Resort. While a beautiful facility, I (and my butt) have a new appreciation for the steepness of those 'hills.' We had a late start time (the race is set up to start 500 people every 20 min) so we watched at the finish line with the electroshock therapy. This was more than likely a giant mistake! We watched people get shocked, convulse to the ground and have a hard time get back up. But then there were others that just ran right through it like it was no problem.

Anyway, we started with the Tough Mudder Mantra that mudders don't whine, kids whine...something else about team spirit and helping out your fellow man and taking on the toughest event on the planet. All the while I'm thinking that I just want to be fit, not sure I need all this extra stuff! Off we go, starting out with a nice downhill jog...Then starts the first hill...and just like a 14er there are many false peaks that make you believe that your at the top. But at this point spirits are good and upbeat, although with the altitude and length of the hill, it by far was not easy but with good vibrations anything is possible. A few obstacles and 3 miles later we run into a sign that says if you were doing the Warrior Dash you would be done by now...I still felt great at that point, I'm gonna be fine right? Then comes along the 'Swamp Stomp' where you jump into a 36 degree pond and wade your way across, cold -- yes, giant rocks in the bottom -- yes that would be the point of a few bruises. Out we go, no big deal. Turn the corner only to have to get back into the cold pond and swim under some barrels. I'm thinking that as long as I can touch the bottom I'll be alright. Under the first barrels -- can't touch, can't see anything, colder than cold, not sure which way to go, second set of barrels -- still can't touch, looking for a way out starting to have a really hard time breathing the only way out is to go through the 3rd set...People are trying to help me out of the water and give me a warming sheet...I just need to keep moving, where is the path, where do I go. Super disoriented I then have to carry a log around in the mountains. Things did improve slightly until this 'jacuzzi' thing. That same cold water only ice and other 'stuff' added to turn me blue. The problem. My legs wouldn't listen to my brain to actually help get out of this tub...My brother had to jump back in to help me out. Many things are just a blur after that. It was hill after hill after giant hill. Many times of wet and cold...never hot. I never complained once of being hot. This challenge was never ending. I never felt like we would actually see the electroshock therapy and the finish line. Eventually it did come around and after watching my teammates go through and after all the other obstacles of the day I politely walked around. Guess what? They still gave me the coveted orange headband, they still gave me the beer and the shirt and all the proof I will ever need to show that I'm a Tough Mudder. At this point I'm not sure if that is something I'm proud of or something that just goes to show that I'll try anything once!

My sister, the one that never signed up is currently jealous...saying I should do it with her next year. After signing my death waiver once, I'm a little skittish about doing this all over again, however, I now know what to expect and could very well be better prepared for this. After all, how many times have all of us said never again and how short of memories we all carry!

The Tough Mudder was hard, not only physically but mentally. The Tough Mudder was great team building and meeting other crazy or idiotic folk just like yourself and in the end I'm glad I had that serious convincing conversation with myself Saturday morning. I'm glad that I participated and survived with many sore muscles, sunburn and more bruises and scrapes that I can count. It was totally worth it, the sense of accomplishment and to be among the few people that actually finish makes it all worth it!

Running a Father's Day 5k

Yet another busy weekend...I decided to overcome my fear of the unknown and run a 5k yesterday...First one since I've been training steadily...My last 5k was Thanksgiving, last year... I ran a 30:29 which honestly I was more than a little disappointed with at the time. Now looking back at my history, I cut off about 4 minutes from the previous 5K...so not bad...yesterday I ran a 26:51 which placed me 8th in females 30-39. I'm happy with that...to know that I can run 8:40 minute miles for that long does boost the confidence a little. If I remember correctly my best mile in junior high (lots of years ago) was a 7:53. I'm starting to think I may be able to do that with enough practice and track workouts. Maybe another 5K in August/September just to see where I'm at. And I'm not saying that an 8 minute mile 5K would get me first in my division but maybe 2nd. I would be ok with that...Baby steps...

Anyway, after my exciting 5K Lou and I took the kids swimming, for a bike ride and then I ran my remaining 5 miles for the day. All in all it was great...my muscles are currently fatigued and by butt is sore from sitting on a bike seat. I'm sure things will get better soon!

From here...I'm doing a mile repeat track workout on Tuesday. I have not done one of those since the fall...hopefully it doesn't kill me. Then off to the Tough Mudder challenge on Saturday (I'm still wondering what the heck I was thinking when I signed up for this one!) And 8 miles on Sunday...

From here with the kids...we are looking forward to getting structure back in the kids' day since school has been out. My thinking that track, soccer and dance would keep them busy enough has backfired a little. Instead the nightly activities have worn them out to the point where they are mostly crabby. I've since had to make a few changes and hopefully things smooth out for the next two months before school starts again!

Weekly tribulations...

This week started off just like any other summer week...just run of the mill happenings that one can deal with. Tuesday's track workout was overly difficult (probably just for me) as I had back / hip issues going on. Wednesday my kids completely melted down. Go 2 weeks without the structure of school and they don't know what to do with themselves. We then followed that up with Tyler getting a rash / welt / itchy red spots that move all over his body. Kinda get that all under control and then Brooke receives some news that devastated her. ( I know that is not difficult to an 8 year old, but it was hard for me to watch. ) Then while at work this morning I got some not so fabulous news. I even called Louis and cried...which I can honestly say I haven't done in years. And it wasn't even that terrible of news...just something I didn't want to hear.

So I guess I'm looking forward, life will look better if I continue to look forward instead of behind me...Sunday I'm doing my first 5K since I've started doing well with my running. I secretly probably have some goals but after this week I'll be happy just to finish.

I guess you could call these weekly updates?!

I'm sure that everyone has been wondering if my lazy feeling has gone away...You know that one I complained about in my last post...Well you will be happy to know that it is gone. All of my muscles are properly sore again. And as I sit here I wonder if this is my new 'normal.' You know to have constant sore muscles. I have gotten to the point where the pain is just a dull ache to let me know it is there and then if you stand up too fast or move the wrong way it very gently reminds you in the most earth shattering feeling ever. At least the pain isn't so bad that I have to act like Brooke and pick my legs up with my hands to get up the stairs.

Also wondering if my new normal is to constantly over schedule myself. Ok, maybe over schedule is a bit exaggerated. Maybe just scheduled down to the minute. For example, last Saturday I had an 8 a.m appointment, followed by a thing for Tyler at noon, (oh and I had to make cupcakes and cookies sometime in there) followed by a birthday party for Brooke that was scheduled at 2. I also had plans of cleaning the house, having Lou mow the yard etc etc so we could help with another project at my parents house. Needless to say I didn't get everything done and my parents didn't get any help from me. Then Tuesday my day consisted of a 4:36 wake up call, gym, work, Brooke having 2 soccer games and a track workout. I didn't think about drive times, so needless to say I was a little late...and I hate being late...Anyway, it all worked out and I survived to do it all again today...

As for my track work...I'm hoping that when I start going weekly again this will get easier, but oh my goodness...Last night was tough...Not great times for me, but great motivation! 

Lazy Week...

Well, after missing 2 workouts this week, I'm feeling super lazy. Which I guess is a little bit out of control. After all, for weeks (ok more like months) I've done long runs on Sundays, track workouts on Tuesdays and gym workouts Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings along with a few other 'shorter runs'...After running Colfax my legs have felt weak and frankly taken too long to heal...So I decided, since we were 'between sessions' I would try out trail running. I had a fabulous time, never having done this type of running I learned an amazing amount, while the world was showing me how 'not in shape' for that kind of running I really am. So I did it again on Monday (maybe that wasn't the best idea, but I'm a runner) and had a great time (snake and all). So I'll be doing that again...however, I woke up with really, really sore ankles and foot...I made it to the gym on Tuesday but struggled through the workout...skipped the track session (super guilty about that one). Went to the gym on Wednesday and then I haven't done anything since. My philosophy...I need to rest up before the session starts on Sunday...oh yeah...and Lori (my coach) told me I'm not a beginner... Or maybe I just know that this is the time that I need to rest because summer has it out for me. Either way...I hope the lazy feeling goes away soon!

Running Colfax!

So just last night I was running with the club and talking about various things. One of blogging. So they are saying they blog about running etc. I started thinking, all I blog about are my kids and some inner thoughts I have while driving or showering. Why aren't I blogging about running too? I mean I have my issues right? So here goes.

On Sunday I ran the Colfax 1/2 marathon in the cold and the rain which was actually very fitting as the whole training session has been about the cold and the wind and the snow and the ice. I'm pretty sure that the only training we had in nice weather was Mother's day, five miles. I'm not complaining, just setting the stage. I finished the half marathon in 2 hours 11 min (officially) which works out to 10.02 min miles. I had severe foot pain that I ran through that finally went numb (I think my 4th toe is still swollen from it) and the beginnings of knee pain. I had moments that I thought I could run faster, moments that I thought my foot would just be better if it would fall off, moments of clarity that I belonged there at that time and place running; but never did I have a moment that asked why I was doing this, or why would I endure such torture on purpose. Which is a great moment. And when I finally reached the finish line (which was a great moment that I will explain) I did feel like I could go farther, which maybe means I didn't run fast enough or maybe it was just an emotional rush. But there were not any thoughts of 'OMG I finally finished, or that was the longest race ever." All of which are thoughts I have had before in other races. In fact just last October I told myself, during the 8 mile leg of the relay that I'm never doing this again!

And through all of this I've learned there is a mind game, a journey that begins every time you start running, no matter the distance. Whether the game is I only have 5 more miles then 4, then 3 etc, or you only have to run in the wind for a 5 more min...there is a game every time. Usually during this game you have the "I just started, this and I feel great," then you usually have many random thoughts you don't remember, and then you start the "when am I gonna be done with this deal." When you learn to go through the game then you have made running that much easier. Some other things that have made running easier...confidence, knowing you have traveled that distance before, support whether it is family that don't truly understand or fellow runners that have worked with you for months in the crappy weather. Someone waiting for you at the end because then you think "I can't stop now because they will have to wait longer". And one more thing that makes these runs easier...the pure pride and acceleration of emotions when you finish makes it all worth it. The pure joy that muddles all the pain and make the negative thoughts disappear, that feeling all on its own make all the months or torture and training and mind games worth it.

So those are my running thoughts as of recently. I'm still struggling with not making my 2 hour time goal, but I am proud to say that I took 36 min off my last time. And that is whey I sign up for more. Maybe next time I can get a few extra runs in or whatever to make that 'journey' that much easier!

Spring...

As I look at my blog and see pictures of my adorable kids from last year I wonder...where did it all go? All that time? Did I live each day? Did I try new things? Am I happy? And you know the funny thing is that you can say that you live for your kids, or you do things for work or your house or whatever, but as I look back I realize that yes, I did do things for the kids but somewhere I had some minor satisfaction! Brooke will be making her First Communion tomorrow. I'm very proud of her achievements, but this one was a bit of a struggle...not for her, mind you...For me and her dad...You see, it was just one more place that she had to be by a certain time and with our hectic schedule it was crazy! But she made it! And so did we! And now that it is finished I guess there was some selfishness in having Brooke attend those classes. I can't describe why or what the root was...maybe just to prove to ourselves that we can survive this crazy schedule; I'm not sure...But then my rambled thoughts go to if I'm really happy. Is this crazy life and schedule that I'm living allowing me to be happy? Or do I just go through the motions everyday. Am I moving from one task to the next to make sure that someone else is taken care of? Or like Bon Jovi mentions in some of his songs...'everybody's broken.' Are we all broken in some way and the form of brokeness (is that really a word?) has caused us pain and depression. Do we cover up our form of brokeness with duties, places to be, people to see, tasks to be accomplished? Is everyone 'hiding' behind their schedule because they don't want to face the real situations, the real questions? Or maybe we live this life now because we think if we accomplish this all now that down the road life will be better, be different. I'm thinking that I need to live in the now...Live for the present because no one knows when 'better' is supposed to be here or if it will be here. So I guess that would mean that I need to make some changes...

In the end of all my reflection I'm not sure if I'll make changes or not, if I'll figure out if I'm really happy or if I'm broken and hiding...but at least I know that I have questions that eventually I'll be able to answer.