First of all, sorry for a few weeks of not posting...the fitness lifestyle has been there but just didn't find time to post it...in the weeks since my last posting week, my strength program ended and I entered the next phase of training. On the strength training part, 4 months of planned training yielded big results for me..in muscle size and increased strength..I have all the stats at work, but to say all muscles measured...saw increases bewteen .75 and 1 inch..biceps, chest, thighs, calfs, shoulders...weight increased in amjor way too as I greatly increased my max and rep capacity from week one. Since the program ended, I've been on the trainer and running many miles...serious ear incfections have kept me from the water in the past 3 weeks but it's over now and swimming enters back next week. I have been steadily on the road every week but still making time for at least 1 run while I;m away...rund are averaging in the 4-5 mile range with times in the 8's, 9's.... I stated making my race calendar this past week and palcing my training dates appropriatly and my goal still stands to do the Austin 70.3 in October..
Mon- 4.2 miles Tues- travel
Wed- 2 miles Atlanta hotel outside
Thurs- travel
Fri- off
Sat- travel to Cincy 8 hours in car...that's a workout
Sun- 5 miles in the rain 63 degrees (my favorite run) no watch
Sunday, February 27, 2011
weekly
Did a couple of runs this week, 3 miler, 4 miler and a long run today (sunday). A beautiful 10 mile run at 8:30 pace. This was one of my best runs of the year. Also, dusted off the bikes this week... Rode the Fuji a bit (causualy) and rode the ole Schwin Sprint hoopty around the neighborhood. Got myself outside as much as possible this week... feels good to be outside... helps with the mood swings. Ive had 3 great days in a row. Kids are stable, have had a 40 hour work week (no overtime) and the wife returned from Chicago... Got out today and watched the hometown Louisville Cardinal baseball team play some ball... spit some sunflower seeds and was happy. Spring is around the corner and Im jacked up for it. Melanie flew in from Chicago Fri. nite and ran/walked the first leg of the Triple Crown of racing... finished at about 12 min. pace... I was a spectator for a change... was nice to watch a good race... 10,000 entrants and the winner pulled a 14:06.... white boy was kickin it. Thanks for all the comments and advice from the team this week. Things are on the turn for the better. Just doing the exercise for the health and the fun of it...Looking forward to the Papa Johns 10 miler in a few weeks...gonna change up my routine in the weeks to come... will modify to fit "Dinos" program... Give It hell gentlemen in athletics and life!
Weekly Update- Karl
Sorry for not posting last week. This time last week I was on my way to the KIPP Renaissance School in the 9th Ward of New Orleans to do community service. It was the perfect start to a great week. The conference was magnificent, if I do say so myself, and we had a lot of comments affirming that. From newcomers to 20+ year veterans, we had CASE members tell us it was among the, if not THE, best conference experience of their career. After a tough week at my day job the week before that ended with me getting an “ass-chewing”, it was a welcome and needed experience.
Monday-Wednesday: CASE FUSION
Got to meet Liz Murray, James Carville, and Mary Matalin. Watch the Liz Murray story tonight at 8pm EST on Lifetime Movie Network with your kids. Maybe they’ll think about it next time they think they have it tough or don’t think they can do something because of their life or where they grew up.
Thursday-Friday: Off
Slept for 12 hours Wednesday night. I have not slept 12 hours in one night in nearly 20 years.
Had a block party on our cul de sac on Friday afternoon. Met one of my new neighbors and it turns out he’s a cyclist. We plan to ride together soon.
Saturday: 1:30 endurance bike ride on the trainer
Sunday: 55 minutes endurance run. Negative split by 1:30 minutes.
I had to make a tough call last night and cancel my entry into the MS 150 ride. I haven’t had time to fundraise properly for it (needed to raise at least $400) and the logistics of getting to Houston and scheduling hotels just got to be too much. I’m just going to put my efforts into preparing for the CapTex Tri and keep my training and racing close to home.
Make it a great week, All.
Kia Kaha!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Self Realization
Gentlemen,
Sometimes we must all look in the mirror and give an honest assesment of ourselves. I have done this many times in my life and sure you guys have as well. This week was one of those look in the mirror lessons. Life is still kicking the crap out of me in many directions... work, kids, wife out of town, dog, parents health, and my very own health. As I stretched out my long run this week to 14 miles, I have experienced some major pain in both knees.... Ive have meniscus repair in both and have pretty much run the remaining ligaments and tendons down to almost nothing. Basically bone on bone.... anything past 10 to 12 miles is real stressful and uncomfortable to me. I thought I could get back to where I once was with endurance running... Maybe thats not possible.... physically.... Mentally, heart, and lungs are there.... knees are not. With this said I have deceided to withdrawl my name from the ING NYC Marathon lottery pick and am looking into trying to get out of the 26.2 distance for the KY Derby and just run the 13.1 mini marathon. When all this started some years ago when Karl and Mark did the Muddy Buddy, I was running away from a failing marraige.... I used running, biking, (and attempted swimming) as a way to deal with the stresses of a divorce and a failure in my life... I was a good ride.... have really enjoyed it and have accoplished some great and wonderful things through endurance sports... But, I think all good things shall come to an end.... Im not ruling out the healthy lifestyle that we have all chosen, just ruling out pushing myself beyond what Im capable. I will continue to exercise, run, bike, and even attempt to swim a bit... will continue working the core, lift some weights and eat a healthy diet... will continue running the Papa Johns 10 miler and the KY derby Mini.... these races as well as the rock n roll minis across the US are special and very fun to me... there are a few 5ks that are still fun for me.... and im still interested in Grabaky 2011. Really would like commitment from all our group to do this one. May be my last endurance journey for awhile. May be my farewell to the crazy distance feats. Ive struggled with these self realizations but have made peace with them. Really need one last group event that we could all do... Im very thankful for the journey weve all been on and would like to continue moderately and have fun. I rode my bike today for a leisure 10 miles... more or less sight seeing the neighborhood and did a 4 mile slow jog... felt so good just to do it for the health and have fun... no aches, no pains, just a good endorphin rush. Kinda practicing that now... need to have fun and have no worries of missing a workout or how fast or how far I go.... just go!
Also currently dealing with lots of life difficulties.... My 13 year old son found my 17 year olds stash of pot and deceided to take it and sell it at school for some extra cash.... Not a good idea... got busted, expelled, and will have to attend alternative school for 18 weeks... crazy... 7th grade and doing that stuff. Both my 19 and 17 year olds are using causually, smoking cigs, overweight, and dont give a damn about anything.... Crazy! dont know where to turn with these kids... im giving a little tough love right now, just damn hard to watch it. working my ass off, melanie is in travel mode from chicago, alaska, and north carolina.... im sitting in a big ole house with a cripple dog worrying myself sick... parents health is bad and i have bad knees and a sore back.... stress and worry????
I guess bottom line is like this.... will continue the healthy lifestyle.... I really have no choice right now (too much stress)... just count me out on the consistant blogging and reaching any new heights.... Im just holdin on to anything positive at all.... trying to shake my crazy ass seasonal depressed, bi-polar self out... still givin it hell to the end... good luck to each and every one and think about that grabaky 2011.... give me something to look forward to this fall....
dino
Sometimes we must all look in the mirror and give an honest assesment of ourselves. I have done this many times in my life and sure you guys have as well. This week was one of those look in the mirror lessons. Life is still kicking the crap out of me in many directions... work, kids, wife out of town, dog, parents health, and my very own health. As I stretched out my long run this week to 14 miles, I have experienced some major pain in both knees.... Ive have meniscus repair in both and have pretty much run the remaining ligaments and tendons down to almost nothing. Basically bone on bone.... anything past 10 to 12 miles is real stressful and uncomfortable to me. I thought I could get back to where I once was with endurance running... Maybe thats not possible.... physically.... Mentally, heart, and lungs are there.... knees are not. With this said I have deceided to withdrawl my name from the ING NYC Marathon lottery pick and am looking into trying to get out of the 26.2 distance for the KY Derby and just run the 13.1 mini marathon. When all this started some years ago when Karl and Mark did the Muddy Buddy, I was running away from a failing marraige.... I used running, biking, (and attempted swimming) as a way to deal with the stresses of a divorce and a failure in my life... I was a good ride.... have really enjoyed it and have accoplished some great and wonderful things through endurance sports... But, I think all good things shall come to an end.... Im not ruling out the healthy lifestyle that we have all chosen, just ruling out pushing myself beyond what Im capable. I will continue to exercise, run, bike, and even attempt to swim a bit... will continue working the core, lift some weights and eat a healthy diet... will continue running the Papa Johns 10 miler and the KY derby Mini.... these races as well as the rock n roll minis across the US are special and very fun to me... there are a few 5ks that are still fun for me.... and im still interested in Grabaky 2011. Really would like commitment from all our group to do this one. May be my last endurance journey for awhile. May be my farewell to the crazy distance feats. Ive struggled with these self realizations but have made peace with them. Really need one last group event that we could all do... Im very thankful for the journey weve all been on and would like to continue moderately and have fun. I rode my bike today for a leisure 10 miles... more or less sight seeing the neighborhood and did a 4 mile slow jog... felt so good just to do it for the health and have fun... no aches, no pains, just a good endorphin rush. Kinda practicing that now... need to have fun and have no worries of missing a workout or how fast or how far I go.... just go!
Also currently dealing with lots of life difficulties.... My 13 year old son found my 17 year olds stash of pot and deceided to take it and sell it at school for some extra cash.... Not a good idea... got busted, expelled, and will have to attend alternative school for 18 weeks... crazy... 7th grade and doing that stuff. Both my 19 and 17 year olds are using causually, smoking cigs, overweight, and dont give a damn about anything.... Crazy! dont know where to turn with these kids... im giving a little tough love right now, just damn hard to watch it. working my ass off, melanie is in travel mode from chicago, alaska, and north carolina.... im sitting in a big ole house with a cripple dog worrying myself sick... parents health is bad and i have bad knees and a sore back.... stress and worry????
I guess bottom line is like this.... will continue the healthy lifestyle.... I really have no choice right now (too much stress)... just count me out on the consistant blogging and reaching any new heights.... Im just holdin on to anything positive at all.... trying to shake my crazy ass seasonal depressed, bi-polar self out... still givin it hell to the end... good luck to each and every one and think about that grabaky 2011.... give me something to look forward to this fall....
dino
Sunday, February 13, 2011
week #7 of 18
better week, more balance:
Mon: 4 mile maintenance run @ 8:30
Tue: w/u... 3 intervals of .75 mile @ 6:50 pace (4 miles total)
Wed: Rest
Thr: 6 miles @ 8:20 pace
Fri: 8 miles @ 8:20 pace
Sat: Rest
Sun: 12 miles @ 8:40 pace
total: 34 miles, great speed/interval workout tues. Extra day of rest feels good, however, still had some knee problems on the long run... I need to start stretching out the long run, but start hurting around 10 miles. I may have to outsmart this marathon in April... Thinking about running 6 miles and walking 90 seconds and repeating til I cross the finish.... its going to be a mental battle due to an aching body....
Mon: 4 mile maintenance run @ 8:30
Tue: w/u... 3 intervals of .75 mile @ 6:50 pace (4 miles total)
Wed: Rest
Thr: 6 miles @ 8:20 pace
Fri: 8 miles @ 8:20 pace
Sat: Rest
Sun: 12 miles @ 8:40 pace
total: 34 miles, great speed/interval workout tues. Extra day of rest feels good, however, still had some knee problems on the long run... I need to start stretching out the long run, but start hurting around 10 miles. I may have to outsmart this marathon in April... Thinking about running 6 miles and walking 90 seconds and repeating til I cross the finish.... its going to be a mental battle due to an aching body....
Week One: CapTex Tri Training
Monday Rest Day
Tuesday Foundation Endurance Bike Ride on the trainer, 1 hour
Wednesday Foundation Endurance Run on treadmill, 35 minutes
Thursday Bike Power Intervals Ride on trainer, 1 hour ( 6x20'” sprints in high gear
Friday Foundation Run on treadmill, 35 minutes, immediately followed by 2x20” speed intensity intervals
Saturday Foundation Bike Ride, 1:15 hours
Sunday Foundation Run in neighborhood, 40 minutes (negative split: 21 minutes out, 18:35 minutes back, :25 to finish time)
Had a nice first week of triathlon training. I’m following a program off Training Peaks authored by Matt Fitzgerald, the same coach I used for IMAZ. This is an advanced Olympic distance program based on the weekly hours I thought I could give. Training Peaks now has an iPhone app, so I’m able to access my program anytime, anywhere. I get daily email reminders in addition to having access to my calendar at anytime.
You're probably asking yourself, “Where are the swim workouts?” Unfortunately, I don’t currently have access to a pool but I plan to remedy that in the coming week. I’m looking at the local YMCA as my first choice because it is approximately 3 miles from my house. I knew that these first couple of weeks would be a difficult start for me because my work schedule is crazy for the next two weeks. This week is our college’s Advisory Council meeting and Texas Exes Outstanding Teacher’s Awards Conference. On Saturday, I depart for New Orleans and the CASE FUSION Conference that I’m co-chairing. After introducing Mary Matalin and James Carville at our closing brunch, I fly back to Austin on February 23. I’m taking February 24-25 off work to decompress and get ready for my life to go back to pre-CASE FUSION madness.
I’m going to do my best to make at least a workout or two during the conference but I’ll definitely get back on track when I return.
Make it a GREAT week! Kia Kaha!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Week #6 of 18
When life interupts was the theme of this weeks training... sometimes life just happens:
Mon: 5 miles @ 8:27
Tue: 3 mile tempo run
Wed: scheduled rest
Thr: all hell breaks loose
Fri: 12 hr work day & 2 hr. comute = nada
Sat: 4 miles @ 8:20
Sun: 10 miles @ 8:50
salvaged a hectic week with a total of 22 miles of running. Had a rough Thursday afternoon.... could have written a country music song... was told I had to pull a 12 hour shift on Fri... got behind a wreck on I65 going home... arrived home to find our house dog partially paralyzed....trip to the animal hospital (degeneritive spinal disorder) $200.00 and he's on bed rest with a 50/50 chance... Call from mom in refernece to my ailing father... needs a very high risk back surgery... awaiting what the heart dr. has to say about it... Dads response, wants the surgery to relieve the pain and may as well be dead as to hurt like this.... and finally, my 18 year old quits his job that was a decent paying job with health care and a benefits package..... Wow! all in about a 3 hr time frame.... Beginning to grow numb on lifes blows... beginning a new search on lifes meaning.... beginning to think its crazy to pursue such crazy materialistic pursuits and beginning to think im crazy for working like a damn sweat shop slave to have a few of these items... today is just my 3d scheduled day off from work... stupid! looking for my life back... Also having thoughts of not being prepared for a full marathon... it really hurts at 10-14 miles, cant imagine having to do 26.2 again.... my nutrition has been stress eating and am having way to much back and knee pain....So, I will be altering my training program a bit in the next few weeks up to the marathon... going to take an extra day off... 6 run days a week is too much for me... just going to try to make it through this race and stick with minis and 5ks in the future... half the distance and twice the fun :)
Mon: 5 miles @ 8:27
Tue: 3 mile tempo run
Wed: scheduled rest
Thr: all hell breaks loose
Fri: 12 hr work day & 2 hr. comute = nada
Sat: 4 miles @ 8:20
Sun: 10 miles @ 8:50
salvaged a hectic week with a total of 22 miles of running. Had a rough Thursday afternoon.... could have written a country music song... was told I had to pull a 12 hour shift on Fri... got behind a wreck on I65 going home... arrived home to find our house dog partially paralyzed....trip to the animal hospital (degeneritive spinal disorder) $200.00 and he's on bed rest with a 50/50 chance... Call from mom in refernece to my ailing father... needs a very high risk back surgery... awaiting what the heart dr. has to say about it... Dads response, wants the surgery to relieve the pain and may as well be dead as to hurt like this.... and finally, my 18 year old quits his job that was a decent paying job with health care and a benefits package..... Wow! all in about a 3 hr time frame.... Beginning to grow numb on lifes blows... beginning a new search on lifes meaning.... beginning to think its crazy to pursue such crazy materialistic pursuits and beginning to think im crazy for working like a damn sweat shop slave to have a few of these items... today is just my 3d scheduled day off from work... stupid! looking for my life back... Also having thoughts of not being prepared for a full marathon... it really hurts at 10-14 miles, cant imagine having to do 26.2 again.... my nutrition has been stress eating and am having way to much back and knee pain....So, I will be altering my training program a bit in the next few weeks up to the marathon... going to take an extra day off... 6 run days a week is too much for me... just going to try to make it through this race and stick with minis and 5ks in the future... half the distance and twice the fun :)
Tough Mudder and CapTex Training Begins
I took this week off in preparation for tomorrow's beginning of my CapTex Triathlon training program. I'll be doing another Matt Fitzgerald program (he got me through Ironman) from Training Peaks. It's an advanced Olympic distance training program built around the number of hours I can give to it on a weekly basis. And thanks to Training Peaks' new iPhone app, I have access to my workout anytime. The program ends on May 30th: race day.
The following is my overdue report on Tough Mudder. Hope you guys enjoy it.
http://www.brightroom.com/go.asp?93480064
Here are some pics of me at the Tough Mudder. Found a few more in the "lost" photos, too. As you can see, I had a big smile on my face most of the day. It was a great event.
http://toughmudder.com/events/texas-dallas/texas-course-map/
The above is a link to the map of race day.This was actually borrowed from a proposed map and doesn't accurately portray our course. A couple of the obstacles we had were different and a couple others were in a different order than they are listed here. Our course was 12 miles long, so you averaged an obstacle every mile. Water was provided every four miles.
The day started by getting your number marked on your forehead, a Tough Mudder tradition. We then walked to the starting line and took the Tough Mudder pledge:
As a Tough Mudder I pledge that…
* I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
* I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
* I do not whine – kids whine.
* I help my fellow Mudders complete the course.
* I overcome all fears.
After the pledge and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, we heard the cannon signaling the event had begun.
The course was built partially on a motocross course, so it started with a lot of up and down running. They try to fatigue you right off the bat...and they do a good job of it.
The first obstacle was a huge pit filled with iced water (literally, they had an ice truck parked next to it and they kept it filled with ice throughout the day.). We had to jump in and then crawl out. Jumping in took your breath away immediately and it numbed your body. On the good side, it was a quick ice bath for the fatiguing legs. We had to run around to the left and hit that same obstacle again before running off the motocross course into the neighboring ranch.
The next obstacle was a mud crawl under barbed wire fencing. All of the crawling obstacles were too low to be crawled on your knees. It was a "plank" crawl all the way across. You'd come out and your core would be "screaming."
The third obstacle was a 15-foot rope climb up a plank. The wood was so wet and muddy, you couldn't get a foot-hold. You'd have to pull yourself up solely by your arms and count on your fellow participants to push and pull you up. Once at the top, Mark and I counted to 3 and jumped the 15 feet down into the freezing pond below. Then it was about a 150 meter swim to the other side.
Next came the Devil's Beard, a spider rope that you had to walk under while walking up a muddy incline. Once at the top, you had to help hold the rope for the next person. The entire day was a real team effort and you could feel the camaraderie.
Next for us was the Cliff Hanger, a climb/crawl up a steep hill of slick mud. If you were lucky and found a few foot and hand holds, you could make it up alone. Otherwise, you needed the assistance of your fellow participants to help push and pull you up the slope. Once at the top, it was a fun slide down the other side.
Next were two different mud crawls under spider nets. One was packed mud and the other was a mud soup. And then it was a long run until the Texas Bale Bonds. This reminded me of growing up on the farm in New Bethel. Marked and I played in hay bales all our years growing up and we had no trouble making our way over two and then three hay bales stacked on each other.
After another long run, we hit the Berlin Walls, a series of four walls to climb over. We then had to run to our second water stop and the awaiting Boa Constrictor. If you have claustrophobia, this was not for you. This was a long tube underground that you had to "plank" crawl your way across. My obliques and elbows were blown up.
After an uphill run and more running through a brushy ranch trail, we arrived at the Creek Crusade. This included several miles of running through muddy creek beds, jumping over brush and logs, and wading through freezing creek water while crawling over and under brush and logs. From here we went through the Mud Mile, a mile of continuous mud pits that you had to jump into, wade through, and crawl out of.
As we came out of the mud, we could see smoke in the distance. It was our "mystery" obstacle awaiting us. This was a shed, with only two windows for entry. As you entered the shed, it was pitch dark inside plus they kept blowing smoke into it. We had no idea what awaited us as we carefully made our way inside. After taking two small steps into the darkness, we fell a few feet into a pit of cold, muddy water that we had to wade through and then crawl out of up a small incline on the other side of the shed. There was no climbing up the incline alone. It took the assistance of your fellow racers to get out. After getting out and helping the person behind you, we then crawled out a door on the other side into the sunshine. It was time to run to our next obstacle.
We arrive at Hold Your Wood and Mark and I chose to share carrying a large log around a few thousand foot trail of inclines. We were very happy to drop that log off on the other side.
About this time, we all began feeling the effects of no electrolytes (they only provided water...nothing else.) after being out there for about 2 hours. Everyone of us began to cramp; some in the calves, some in the hamstrings, I even had cramps in my feet. We took turns walking/running from here to the end of the race.
After another run, we arrived at a pond we had to jump into and swim across. Once again, the water was so cold and it took your breath away to get in. Swimming with your muddy clothes, gloves, and tennis shoes on makes for a long, tiring swim. I could barely walk out when I arrived at the other side some 100 meters away.
Immediately upon exiting the water, we had the Ball Shrinker awaiting us. This was mostly a matter of upper body strength and balance. I got lucky and chose a rope where my fellow competitors and I got across pretty easily. One of our teammates, got stuck on a rope with a couple of girls who kept pulling the rope back and forth until most everyone fell off the rope into the cold water below.
After the Ball Shrinker, we jogged over to the Twinkle Toes. I fell off once but was able to get back on and across. Mark got the Twinkle Toe prize on our team for making it all the way across without falling.
It was then back to the trail for another run to the Funky Monkey. I made it through three bars before my muddy, wet gloves lost grip and I fell into the cold water below for a swim to the other side. Unfortunately, none of our group made it across the Funky Monkey, the only obstacle we didn't "master."
It was another jog/walk (the cramps are really getting us at this point) to the School of Tough Knocks. Ours did not involve a bus. It was a cargo net climb up to a bridge and a plank walk down the other side into more cold water. After wading out of the water, it was a short run to the final obstacle: Electroshock Therapy. Men, if you've never been hit with a 10,000 volt shock, then let me tell you what it does to you. It locks your body at the knees and you are luck to make it out without falling flat on your face in the mud. Our team made it across but not without one guy falling down, all of us letting out screams of pain, and one guy taking a volt hit to the forehead.
After making it out alive, we stopped to hold hands and cross the finish line as a team. We got our Tough Mudder finisher's headband and t-shirt, drank a Honey Milk (or two), and got our free Dos XX for a toast to an epic afternoon.
I was sore for two days and my knees were scraped and scabbed. These were a welcome reminder of another fulfilling accomplishment and a celebration to enjoying the health and ability to conquer the Tough Mudder.
Kia Kaha!
The following is my overdue report on Tough Mudder. Hope you guys enjoy it.
http://www.brightroom.com/go.asp?93480064
Here are some pics of me at the Tough Mudder. Found a few more in the "lost" photos, too. As you can see, I had a big smile on my face most of the day. It was a great event.
http://toughmudder.com/events/texas-dallas/texas-course-map/
The above is a link to the map of race day.This was actually borrowed from a proposed map and doesn't accurately portray our course. A couple of the obstacles we had were different and a couple others were in a different order than they are listed here. Our course was 12 miles long, so you averaged an obstacle every mile. Water was provided every four miles.
The day started by getting your number marked on your forehead, a Tough Mudder tradition. We then walked to the starting line and took the Tough Mudder pledge:
As a Tough Mudder I pledge that…
* I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
* I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
* I do not whine – kids whine.
* I help my fellow Mudders complete the course.
* I overcome all fears.
After the pledge and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, we heard the cannon signaling the event had begun.
The course was built partially on a motocross course, so it started with a lot of up and down running. They try to fatigue you right off the bat...and they do a good job of it.
The first obstacle was a huge pit filled with iced water (literally, they had an ice truck parked next to it and they kept it filled with ice throughout the day.). We had to jump in and then crawl out. Jumping in took your breath away immediately and it numbed your body. On the good side, it was a quick ice bath for the fatiguing legs. We had to run around to the left and hit that same obstacle again before running off the motocross course into the neighboring ranch.
The next obstacle was a mud crawl under barbed wire fencing. All of the crawling obstacles were too low to be crawled on your knees. It was a "plank" crawl all the way across. You'd come out and your core would be "screaming."
The third obstacle was a 15-foot rope climb up a plank. The wood was so wet and muddy, you couldn't get a foot-hold. You'd have to pull yourself up solely by your arms and count on your fellow participants to push and pull you up. Once at the top, Mark and I counted to 3 and jumped the 15 feet down into the freezing pond below. Then it was about a 150 meter swim to the other side.
Next came the Devil's Beard, a spider rope that you had to walk under while walking up a muddy incline. Once at the top, you had to help hold the rope for the next person. The entire day was a real team effort and you could feel the camaraderie.
Next for us was the Cliff Hanger, a climb/crawl up a steep hill of slick mud. If you were lucky and found a few foot and hand holds, you could make it up alone. Otherwise, you needed the assistance of your fellow participants to help push and pull you up the slope. Once at the top, it was a fun slide down the other side.
Next were two different mud crawls under spider nets. One was packed mud and the other was a mud soup. And then it was a long run until the Texas Bale Bonds. This reminded me of growing up on the farm in New Bethel. Marked and I played in hay bales all our years growing up and we had no trouble making our way over two and then three hay bales stacked on each other.
After another long run, we hit the Berlin Walls, a series of four walls to climb over. We then had to run to our second water stop and the awaiting Boa Constrictor. If you have claustrophobia, this was not for you. This was a long tube underground that you had to "plank" crawl your way across. My obliques and elbows were blown up.
After an uphill run and more running through a brushy ranch trail, we arrived at the Creek Crusade. This included several miles of running through muddy creek beds, jumping over brush and logs, and wading through freezing creek water while crawling over and under brush and logs. From here we went through the Mud Mile, a mile of continuous mud pits that you had to jump into, wade through, and crawl out of.
As we came out of the mud, we could see smoke in the distance. It was our "mystery" obstacle awaiting us. This was a shed, with only two windows for entry. As you entered the shed, it was pitch dark inside plus they kept blowing smoke into it. We had no idea what awaited us as we carefully made our way inside. After taking two small steps into the darkness, we fell a few feet into a pit of cold, muddy water that we had to wade through and then crawl out of up a small incline on the other side of the shed. There was no climbing up the incline alone. It took the assistance of your fellow racers to get out. After getting out and helping the person behind you, we then crawled out a door on the other side into the sunshine. It was time to run to our next obstacle.
We arrive at Hold Your Wood and Mark and I chose to share carrying a large log around a few thousand foot trail of inclines. We were very happy to drop that log off on the other side.
About this time, we all began feeling the effects of no electrolytes (they only provided water...nothing else.) after being out there for about 2 hours. Everyone of us began to cramp; some in the calves, some in the hamstrings, I even had cramps in my feet. We took turns walking/running from here to the end of the race.
After another run, we arrived at a pond we had to jump into and swim across. Once again, the water was so cold and it took your breath away to get in. Swimming with your muddy clothes, gloves, and tennis shoes on makes for a long, tiring swim. I could barely walk out when I arrived at the other side some 100 meters away.
Immediately upon exiting the water, we had the Ball Shrinker awaiting us. This was mostly a matter of upper body strength and balance. I got lucky and chose a rope where my fellow competitors and I got across pretty easily. One of our teammates, got stuck on a rope with a couple of girls who kept pulling the rope back and forth until most everyone fell off the rope into the cold water below.
After the Ball Shrinker, we jogged over to the Twinkle Toes. I fell off once but was able to get back on and across. Mark got the Twinkle Toe prize on our team for making it all the way across without falling.
It was then back to the trail for another run to the Funky Monkey. I made it through three bars before my muddy, wet gloves lost grip and I fell into the cold water below for a swim to the other side. Unfortunately, none of our group made it across the Funky Monkey, the only obstacle we didn't "master."
It was another jog/walk (the cramps are really getting us at this point) to the School of Tough Knocks. Ours did not involve a bus. It was a cargo net climb up to a bridge and a plank walk down the other side into more cold water. After wading out of the water, it was a short run to the final obstacle: Electroshock Therapy. Men, if you've never been hit with a 10,000 volt shock, then let me tell you what it does to you. It locks your body at the knees and you are luck to make it out without falling flat on your face in the mud. Our team made it across but not without one guy falling down, all of us letting out screams of pain, and one guy taking a volt hit to the forehead.
After making it out alive, we stopped to hold hands and cross the finish line as a team. We got our Tough Mudder finisher's headband and t-shirt, drank a Honey Milk (or two), and got our free Dos XX for a toast to an epic afternoon.
I was sore for two days and my knees were scraped and scabbed. These were a welcome reminder of another fulfilling accomplishment and a celebration to enjoying the health and ability to conquer the Tough Mudder.
Kia Kaha!
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