Life Lessons from the Mud

I am now a 7 time Tough Mudder. I am damn proud of that. I am damn proud of getting 3/4 of the way across the monkey bars for the first time this weekend. And I am damn proud that I did a double Tough Mudder - two back to back days.

Watch this video about the TM pledge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jU4SfKcJPg&feature=player_embedded

But I realized something this weekend. Tough Mudder has so many layers of life lessons and I have learned so much over the last year and a half completing these events. Jessie and I reflected on our way home Sunday about all the amazing things you learn from TM.

Some have said "you're crazy" others just shake their head and say "mudder" and the others are speechless. I say TM is "fun," "hard," "challenging," "crazy" and so many other things.

At the beginning of the event, the group rallies together in a tight close area at the starting line. An MC guy (wish I knew his name) gets you so pumped up, it's crazy. But before the event officially begins, you recite a pledge. I posted the pledge at the top of the blog. Have you ever been to an event where you recite a pledge before starting?

Let's break it down:

As a Tough Mudder I pledge that:

1. I understand that TM is not a race, but a CHALLENGE. Isn't this is what life is all about? It is about challenging yourself and others around you. I did my first TM because it was a new challenge. I had conquered the marathon, the 10k, and I needed something hard. And guess what - I was scared out of my mind during the first event. Just about every obstacle terrified me until I realized...I could do it. I completed each and every obstacle. Often with the help of my friends.

2. I put Teamwork and Camaraderie before my course time.  There is no clock at TM. There is no finish time. There are no results pages online. There is only an orange headband. The hours fly by while you're having fun with friends - new and old. This past weekend Jessie and I did the event with our friend Chris but we also met a guy named Brian and added him to our team. Turns out he went to college at Iowa - automatic new friend. We stuck together with our team the entire team. Leave no one behind. Seems like a new trend - meet a new friend at each TM. We met Danielle in Colorado. It doesn't matter who you are, you can talk to anyone and bond over anything at TM. 

3. I do not whine- KIDS whine. I'll be honest - I can be a whiner. You put me in the Arctic Enema and I whine. But this is a major life lesson. Whining gets you nowhere. Figure out why you're whining, fix it, and move one. Yep, the obstacles are hard, but that's what they are designed for. Yep, life is hard, that's what it's designed for :)

4. I help my fellow Mudders complete the course. There is no better display of team work than TM. You help anyone and everyone who needs a hand. There's also a lot of inappropriate touching. But when you need help over a 9 foot wall, it doesn't matter.

5. I overcome ALL fears. This is huge. There is an obstacle to challenge any fear. Life is about conquering fears. It does not have to be in a pile of mud. It could be going somewhere new, meeting a new person, taking on a new challenge at work, or even trying a new food.

Here is what I learned from my time in the mud:

• Inspirational people are everywhere. We met a woman on the course who has lost over 65 pounds and quit smoking and the TM was her way of proving to herself she could do it. Did I mention she was 55 years old? Or the girl who has another 50 pounds to lose and she's out there doing it, hell or high water. It's pretty cool that I did it back to back days, but these people are the real story. They are the true inspirations. If they can do it, anyone can do it. 

• People are willing to give out free hugs. There was a guy running in the same pack as us who had on shorts and he painted on his back "free hugs." So as we approached the Mud Mile obstacle I shouted to him "I'll take my free hug at the end of the mud mile. He said "I'll be waiting for you." And I was a few mud mountains away from him and I shout out to him "I'm on my way!!" Sure enough- I got done and there he was. Waiting to give me a free hug. I have a picture of it, but it's not downloaded yet. What would the world be like if we got or gave free hugs more often?

• It is the coolest feeling to be with a group of people with a common goal. You know that everyone who lines up at the start line is there for a common reason. Start and finish. 

• I am stronger than I thought and I hold myself back. Exhibit A - monkey bars. Got 3/4 of the way across and I was just scared.

• Connecting with people. Whether it's the people on course or the people with the orange headbands and dirt at Buffalo Wild Wings - you are bonded with a group of strangers. You see someone with a tough mudder shirt and you smile. You know where they've been and what they've done.

• Tough Mudder is fun. Playing in the mud is fun. A guy at work said "it's like going to Valley Fair (amusement park) when you're little and running from ride to ride." You just run to the next obstacle with such anticipation. 

• When you start something - it feels incredible to finish it.

• I and anyone who is willing to try - are capable of so much more than we ever imagined.

 And for your viewing pleasure here are a couple videos from our experience this past weekend. Enjoy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDup9xJTb_Y&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4j13zS4BD4&feature=youtu.be

Vegas....In July

 If you've been reading this blog for awhile or know me at all, you know that I enjoy wild adventures. And I have been accused of being "crazy" at times. But going to Las Vegas in July might take the cake. Neither Jessie or I like being hot so this makes no sense at all. 

So you ask - why go to Vegas in July? A few months ago tickets went on sale for a concert in the Twin Cities. Oh no - it's on the same day as two weddings we have to attend. So the question was - where else are they playing? Vegas  - perfect! Tickets were purchased and then we realized we had to buy plane tickets, get a hotel, and it was in July,  in Vegas. But as the young people these days say "YOLO" (you only live once)

The funny thing is...Jessie and I have been to Vegas four times in the last few years. We don't drink, smoke, gamble, party, or particularly like to stay up late, but we LOVE Vegas. Here's why...you get off the plane, take a shuttle, and you are there. You don't have to leave but if you do, you can take a bus. Everything you need is walkable. And that's what we do, we walk, all day, all night. This time I had my fit bit (www.fitbit.com) and I was pumped to see how many steps and miles we actually covered going up and down the strip.

Let's go back to why we went to Vegas. New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, and 98 Degrees. Boy bands from my teen years, all in one concert. It was amazing. They only get better with age.

We got our neon outfits on and I put my hair on top of my head and away we went. 

Mission of the trip accomplished - great concert. Now for more walking and exploring. Sunday morning we set out walking and decided "wouldn't it be cool to walk a marathon - 26.2 miles?" It seemed reasonable. We walked from our hotel, down to the far end of the strip for tickets to a show, walked back to the hotel, down to the other end, back to lunch, down to the Vegas sign, back, and around, and around, and around, and around.

Did I mention it was HOT? HOT? If I had a nickel for every time someone said to me, it's a "dry heat" It is still HOT. But after walking back from the Vegas sign, I was at about 40,000 steps (approx. 17 miles or so). New goal of 50,000 steps instead of a marathon. Can I get there?

But if we were going to walk all these miles we needed fuel. So we bought a buffet pass because we've never eaten at a buffet in Vegas. Some might say - what? A buffet? Here was our strategy. Proteins, variety, veggies, the opportunity to make smart choices. Overall we did great. 

 Until we hit the dessert bar.....

My fit bit never reset time zones so technically the end of the day was 10pm Vegas time. We are now walking to a Cirque show at New York, New York casino. I am about ready to give up because I am at 48,500 and it's 9:30 and we have a show at 10pm. Jessie says "we can do this, let's do laps around the casino" So we go in, walk fast around the perimeter, and end up in a hallway. I start running "jogging" up and down this hall. I am in a full on sweat. Then I run up and down the stairs, down the hall, down the stairs, around the casino and at 9:50 I reach 50,000 steps! Mission accomplished. We run into the show and relax.

The next day I get an email from a client. It went something like "wow, 50,000 steps, that's incredible" But what was really cool was this.

It also reminds me of the importance of a good peer group.  If you hang out with positive, healthy people, they will reinforce your views on health and exercise. If you hang out with people who do not value exercise, it makes it harder to achieve your goals on your own.

I was ready to give up on my steps and Jessie said no - let's get it done. So the real lesson in my crazy walking adventure is this - surround yourself with people who support your goals, live a life like you want to, and push you to be better every day.

Here is an article I wrote for Lifetime Weight Loss Flourish Newsletter about relationships and a healthy lifestyle. 
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com/blog/2013/1/2/8-relationships-you-can-build-to-help-you-lose-weight.html


Ha. Here is what walking over 21 miles in one day looks like on the way home. Happy walking everyone!

Find your supportive friends, go for a walk, and enjoy life!

Have a great week.