Team Zoë is invited to join me as I crawl through freezing mud, climb 15 foot walls, run a distance through fire, leap into ice baths, and hurl myself through a "cattle corral" that is lined with 10,000 volt electrified wires. You might be asking the same question I asked myself: why would I do that to myself?
The challenge. I am physically and mentally tough enough to finish the 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special forces. And I will have the combined strength and endurance of Team Zoë with me as we battle up Gunstock Mountain Resort, digging deep to earn every foothold, and run every mud covered mile towards the finish line.
That might not answer your question. The truth is that the Tough Mudder just might be the most difficult obstacle course in the world. The tough Mudder attracts thrill seekers by the tens of thousands to each event, no matter where they are hosted. It fulfills my desire for adventure.
The challenge of the Tough Mudder is not what happens on the obstacle course, but what we do when we are not crawling through the mud or preparing ourselves mentally to jump into an ice bath. The challenge and adventure of finishing this race together as a team is a call to living our lives to our fullest potential. What I mean is that sometimes it is easy to fall victim to complacency. How often do we give up the promises to ourselves each year that we will eat better or lose weight or get out of the same rut that plagues us year after year. Part of my challenge to this race and to my life is that I am going to get myself back into shape. I started P90X 5 weeks ago and I have already lost 13 pounds. Now mind you, when I finish day 90, it will not signify the end of my exercise routine. The journey begins. The real adventure starts as I continue to learn about me, so I can always improve myself.
I wanted to write a blog at one point about Zoë's cancer and how it was not my fault or Laura's. MRT is just a case of severe bad luck. Well, guess what, that tire around my waste is my fault. It got there because of apathy or complacency. Instead of going for a walk or a bike ride or working out in the gym, I stayed home and ate pizza and drank beer. If my obesity is the cause for me to develop type 2 diabetes, or worse, heart disease or cancer, that is my fault. By getting into shape for the Tough Mudder, I am taking charge of my weight and my health and life. The argument can be that I might get struck by lightening or fall prey to something that is out of my control. I am going to control the things I can and forget about what is in the hands of God or fate or bad luck.
I hope you understand. I don't have a death wish. It is just the opposite. I have a life wish. My life can be swept away from my flesh and bones so fast I won't know what hit me. For three months, I watched my daughter fight, and fight, every day for her life. Even now, I read on Facebook about the struggles and plight of many little children around the world fighting cancer. Their strength inspires me to challenge myself everyday, in simple ways, and big, ridiculous ways. Team Zoë will begin and finish the Tough Mudder together. We will finish strong, even if it takes us all day to finish.
The challenge. I am physically and mentally tough enough to finish the 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special forces. And I will have the combined strength and endurance of Team Zoë with me as we battle up Gunstock Mountain Resort, digging deep to earn every foothold, and run every mud covered mile towards the finish line.
That might not answer your question. The truth is that the Tough Mudder just might be the most difficult obstacle course in the world. The tough Mudder attracts thrill seekers by the tens of thousands to each event, no matter where they are hosted. It fulfills my desire for adventure.
The challenge of the Tough Mudder is not what happens on the obstacle course, but what we do when we are not crawling through the mud or preparing ourselves mentally to jump into an ice bath. The challenge and adventure of finishing this race together as a team is a call to living our lives to our fullest potential. What I mean is that sometimes it is easy to fall victim to complacency. How often do we give up the promises to ourselves each year that we will eat better or lose weight or get out of the same rut that plagues us year after year. Part of my challenge to this race and to my life is that I am going to get myself back into shape. I started P90X 5 weeks ago and I have already lost 13 pounds. Now mind you, when I finish day 90, it will not signify the end of my exercise routine. The journey begins. The real adventure starts as I continue to learn about me, so I can always improve myself.
I wanted to write a blog at one point about Zoë's cancer and how it was not my fault or Laura's. MRT is just a case of severe bad luck. Well, guess what, that tire around my waste is my fault. It got there because of apathy or complacency. Instead of going for a walk or a bike ride or working out in the gym, I stayed home and ate pizza and drank beer. If my obesity is the cause for me to develop type 2 diabetes, or worse, heart disease or cancer, that is my fault. By getting into shape for the Tough Mudder, I am taking charge of my weight and my health and life. The argument can be that I might get struck by lightening or fall prey to something that is out of my control. I am going to control the things I can and forget about what is in the hands of God or fate or bad luck.
I hope you understand. I don't have a death wish. It is just the opposite. I have a life wish. My life can be swept away from my flesh and bones so fast I won't know what hit me. For three months, I watched my daughter fight, and fight, every day for her life. Even now, I read on Facebook about the struggles and plight of many little children around the world fighting cancer. Their strength inspires me to challenge myself everyday, in simple ways, and big, ridiculous ways. Team Zoë will begin and finish the Tough Mudder together. We will finish strong, even if it takes us all day to finish.
Boston Tough Mudder
Sunday, June 2nd
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gilford, New Hampshire
Sunday, June 2nd
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gilford, New Hampshire
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