Tough Mudder
Over the past year I have seen a handful of race photos, but none of them seemed like ones that I was truly proud of. This is different. I am super picky about photos of myself but I actually like this one. Please don’t mistake this for arrogance. I know I am not going to grace the cover of Men’s Fitness or GQ. But this photo, the event and year it symbolizes, means a great deal to me.
Possibly the Toughest Event on the Planet
I don’t really know where to start with this recap because this is so much different than anything I have ever done. To be honest, looking back on the event, I forgot a lot of what we went through, so it is hard to give a mile by mile break down of what this thing was like. Even the official course website has some of the obstacles listed out of order. So I will do my best and describe what it was like. Just a fair warning, this recap is far longer than I had initially planned, so to save your dash, I am putting it all behind the jump.
2011, what a year…
If you would have told me that at the end of this year I would have finished these races, I would have laughed at you. When we started off, I was really trying to drop about 40 pounds. I did not expect to do much more than that. But to be here, to look back, its hard not to get choked up. This year I ended up finishing seven 5Ks, two 10Ks, Warrior Dash, my first official half-marathon, my first full marathon, Tough Mudder, and more training miles in between than I ever imagined. I am not patting myself on the back, please don’t misunderstand me. I still have plenty left to travel down this road I am on , however, I have a huge sense of accomplishment looking at this.
“Wear your orange headband to work day”
I think being a Tough Mudder automatically qualifies you as king of the boardroom.
Now a Tough Mudder…
Words fail me when describing the fun and absolute pain that is this course. What an amazing race to end an amazing year.
“I further understand and acknowledge that any of these risks and others, not specifically named, may cause injury or injuries that may be categorized as minor, serious, or catastrophic. Minor injuries are common and include, but are not limited to: scrapes, bruises, sprains, nausea, and cuts. Serious injuries are less common, but do sometimes occur. They include, but are not limited to: property loss or damage, broken bones, torn ligaments, concussions, exposure, heat-related illness, mental stress or exhaustion, infection, and concussions. Catastrophic injuries are rare; however, we feel that our participants should be aware of the possibility. These injuries can include permanent disabilities, spinal injuries and paralysis, stroke, heart attack, and even death.”
Perspective
Tough Mudder Florida Preview
Tough Mudder has posted some preview photos as they ramp up for the event in Tampa on Saturday. I’ll put these behind the jump to save your dash, but after looking at these I just can’t help but think how amazingly awesome and difficult this event is going to be. What better way to end this year than with something like this?
This Saturday….
The realization that this is right around the corner is starting to set in. And I’m getting pumped. One month after finishing my first marathon, I will be a Tough Mudder.
What can be done in 180 days?
Exactly 180 days ago, my wife and I made a decision to get healthy. 180 days… today. In some aspects I look back and it feels like 180 days is a very long time. However, it also feels like that time has flown by. What has happened in 180 days:
- Eat Healthy: It all started with this. We threw away our unhealthy food and restocked with good stuff following the Biggest Loser 30 Day Jump Start. Note I did not say a diet. We have never been, and never will be, on a diet. We are eating healthy! Stopped drinking caffeine, eating red meat, eating fast food, and focused on a healthy balanced eating program consisting of 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.
- Fitness: Ran my first 5K in March, and have run 4 after that. One of those 5K’s was the first my wife and I had run and it brings tears to eyes seeing this photo. Started Crossfit March 31, 2011 and have continued going at least 3 days a week. Completed the Warrior Dash in May and now have my first half-marathon approaching in November and Tough Mudder in December.
- Weight Loss: At the date of this post, I have lost 65lbs, gone from a 44 in the waist to a 36, and even lost a shoe size. I was pushing a XXXL shirt and have gone down to an XL or L in some cases. I managed to document most of this along the way and it feels good to look back at old photos and remember where I started.
- Life in General: I am being called skinny now for the first time in my life. I am at a weight that I have not seen in about 10 years. I have never felt this strong and this fast in my life, ever. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a long way to go. But I feel so much better and so much more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have.
Although both my wife and I are doing this together, I speak mostly about my accomplishments here. She has not really wanted to take “then & now” shots, but is getting closer to wanting to do that. When she does hopefully she wont mind me posting them here to show off all of her hard work.
With all of that said, we both still have work to do. I want to see 200 pounds and would love to do that before my foot crosses the start line at my first half-marathon. I want to complete a triathlon. I want to complete an Ironman. There is so much more I have yet to do with this life.
If you are reading this and been stuck in a rut, not sure how or if you can move forward, and are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, know above all else that you can do it. All it takes is getting started. Take that first step in a new direction and then never go back.
PS - These pants used to be tight on me. :-)
Tough Mudder course
Here is the Tough Mudder course my friends and I will be running this December. Course distance is set at 12 miles with 21 obstacles. What the hell was I thinking?
Well, there is no stopping it now…
