How I've Spent My Summer Un-Vacation.

Obviously, I have been busy. Busy is an understatement. Since my last blog, I have completed the Warrior Dash, The Buffalo Creek Trail Run, the Bolder Boulder, the Dipsea, and the Tough Mudder. Obviously, I survived since I'm able to write this post.

I will tell you, the experience of running the Dipsea was incredible, but in Colorado we have equally beautiful trails, so I guess I'm a little spoiled. I'm still happy I got to run it. I didn't really know what to do with myself while I was there. I'm not much of a site-seer, and couldn't stand to be engulfed in teh city for more than a few hours anyways. I rattled around in my head and read a lot, which was a nice break. I'd like to do it again, but maybe in a few years.

The best part of my summer so far has been the Tough Mudder. Most people think I'm crazy for doing it. Others just don't understand why.

For me, entering the Tough Mudder was about challenging myself. I feel like I am challenged on a regular basis at work with problem-solving and just keeping up with everything. But I don't think I challenge myself physically enough, and I've been working hard to change that. I love my personal training sessions for that reason: it's challenging. The Tough Mudder was a chance to see what I really could do; it was both a physical and mental challenge. The course in Colorado was at the Beaver Creek slopes: 9 miles with an elevation change of 4250 feet and 23 obstacles along the way. Let's just say that the easiest obstacle was carrying a log on my shoulder for half a mile. At one point I jokingly said, "What, are we on black diamond trails or something?" We were. The event was also a showing of camaraderie. Even those in it alone were helped out and helped others as well. No one is out for himself and himself alone, much like going into battle I'd assume. It was really an amazing thing to experience.

Completing this was about conquering fears and pushing myself beyond limits I thought I had. I am very proud that I did this event. I am proud of the scars and my orange headband, and will definitely do it again. I do have a slight fear of getting shocked now...the electric wires at the end knocked me unconscious briefly and sent me flying. Also burned through the mud and singed my skin a bit. Eek!
TM Photos
Aftermath
Official Photos of the Electroshock Therapy Obstacle, go to page 217 (I'm the flailing person at the end of the page).

Not only did I have the opportunity to exceed my own expectations, but I got to do it in the name of a great cause, the Wounded Warrior Project. This nonprofit aides injured service men and women by providing care and helping inform the public about the need for special care for returning servicemen. I'm hoping next year I can do an actual fundraiser for the event to raise money past my entry fee.

Now I'm done with racing and events until the end of August. My body needs some rest and time to rebuild my endurance, which, unlike most runners, I lose in the summer rather than the winter. I am having a hard time getting out on my runs in the heat we've been having. I used to run early in the morning, but now when I try I have no energy and feel very sluggish. I need to eat before I run, which means I have to have time to digest, which means by the time I can get out there it's too hot (for me). I'll likely stick to shorter runs and longer hikes until things cool down. That's where you'll find me in my precious spare time for the rest of summer...