Savage

This past weekend I became a savage.

And you?

Also, see that blue ramp around the 52 second mark?  Yeah, I NAILED IT. On my first try.

Awesome sauce.

Mud Crusade, Conquered!

I am bruised, battered, and sore but oh so happy.  You guys, I killed the Mud Crusade. Killed. It. Not only did I run the entire 5K, I completed every single obstacle.  Let me say that again.

I attempted and COMPLETED all 19 obstacles. 

The high point for me was definitely the monkey bars - ahem - the "Herculean Crossbars." My sweet Emily took me to her playground several weeks ago to train me in getting a good start and on how to swing my legs to get better momentum. When I finished those bars without falling I was ready to rule the world. What a feeling!

I totally understand how this woman feels! Photo via Dade City News Facebook page.

In the weeks leading up to the race I was most nervous about climbing up and over the cargo net, but it was a pretty minor obstacle when all was said and done.

Cargo Climb obstacle. Photo by Lix Shimak-Taylor

I actually had the most trouble with the huge water slide.  Apparently, fast descents freak me out. I did it, though, with little hesitation.  In the future I have to remember to close my mouth and my eyes, and blow out through my nose during the splashdown. Today I am still blowing a  copious amount of mud out of my nose.

See, she knew to at least turn her head. Photo by Liz Shimak-Taylor.

I don't have my official completion time yet, but I know Ben and I finished in under 40 minutes.* That's six minutes under my last training time. Even more important was all the laughing we did as we ran. Ben went to town, jumping in every possible puddle pre-, during, and post-race. He flew over walls and rolled down hills. It was awesome.

In front of the hay bale barrier and smiling post-race.

Feet and shoes post run.

And, come on, you can't tell me this isn't the most beautiful I've ever looked!

Look at that smile! See, fit is beautiful.

* Edited to add that per the official time keeper our final time was 39:17 which means we ran one mile ever 12 minutes, 44 seconds. We also placed 926 and 927 out of 1987 runners. Hello! That means we finished in the top half. Holla!


Here are links to a couple of videos of the course we ran. How cool are head cameras?
Video from Roberto
Video from Team Mudder

The Final Week (of my first challenge)

This is it, my darlings; in six and a half short days I will run the Mud Crusade.

via Mud Crusade Facebook Page

On Saturday I ran my very last Couch to 5K training run. I'd like to tell you I killed those three miles, but I didn't.  To be honest, these longer runs the past two weeks have been much harder than the ones from the previous seven weeks.  My body feels very heavy, the time feels a lot longer than it actually is, and I can't seem to zone out like I was just a few weeks ago.  Is that weird?  Probably not. The important this is:

I have run every run to the best of my ability and that is pretty damn awesome.

By the transitive property of awesomeness, that makes me pretty damn awesome. I might reward myself with a tiara.

If that wasn't enough, I am also positive my strength has increased.  This weekend, while gardening, I managed to carry -not lug, carry, a hefty bag of sand. I also managed to lift all 60+ pounds of my Emily high enough for her to wash the car windshield.  And it was easy!

Dear Emily,

Women can should be strong inside and out.  It means they are able to support their babies in every possible way. I'll keep working at it if you will.

Love, Mommy

It's true the journey has occasionally sucked these last nine weeks. But the strength I have found in myself has both surprised me and made me so very happy. What's more, I think the strength I have found inside is visible on my outside. Again with the awesome.

How are your journeys going and what have you discovered?

And the winner is...

Wow. I now know how the presenters at the Oscar's feel when it's their turn to open the envelope.

Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz presenting at the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/27/1887525/84th-academy-awards-show-022612.html#storylink=cpy

I was so excited to see who will be wearing an NPJ garter in support of my mission at the Mud Crusade in two weeks. Not a bad way to start a Monday. Not bad at all.

Since I didn't have a way to track who voted when I couldn't just use a random number generator to help me pick my winner. So I went old school.

Oh yeah, those are initials on a sheet of paper, baby.

Then, I whipped out my scissors.  Don't worry - I first had the requisite amount of coffee demanded by intense activities such as cutting paper.

Paper pieces in a bowl.

Gotta keep it fair so NO PEEKING!

And the winner is...

Jenny Koonz!

I'm sorry Jennifer and Cameron weren't available to present your award.  I'll have to do.  Congratulations, Jenny!  Be sure you e-mail me to make sure I have your current address and thigh measurement.

Ack, I haven't even told you what you'll be wearing  on your thigh!  The winning phrase, submitted by Tiffany Champney and receiving 8 votes (one of them Jenny's) is...

Ever Hopeful, Ever Strong

Alright, I'm off to start designing! Thank you to everyone who participated. I love you for your support in teaching women to love themselves.

For every girl, a garter

Yesterday, I pushed through one of the hardest workouts I've done yet. Running, jumping, weights, situps - I'm lucky I can even feel my lower body today.  I take that back; I'm so sore numb is looking pretty good.

Yeah, sometimes the road to strength is a painful one. So far, though, it's been worth it; not least because work-out bloopers make for awesome party chit-chat.

Imagine to talk we could stir up when I wear a garter to run the Mud Crusade later this month! I'm hoping to make an impact, but I need your help. Three of my lovely readers each submitted a phrase she feels captures her pursuit of her truest self.

From Vienne: Resilience

From Carol:        Shine

From Tiffany: Ever Hopeful, Ever Strong

Now is your chance to weigh in!

In the comments below, tell me which phrase you think I should have embroidered on my Mud Crusade garter OR submit a write-in vote. I'd also love to hear the reason behind your choice.

Next Monday I'll announce the winning adage AND the commenter that will receive her own garter.

What are you waiting for? Get your vote on! Contest is now closed.

Smarter, Faster, Stronger

It is Friday! Yea! But you probably already knew that. But did you know I am turning into a super hero?  True story. I'm working on becoming smarter, faster, and stronger.

Smarter

 Today, at Scoutie Girl, it is time to "get smart," but not in a Nick at Night kind of way. Granted, if anyone could rock a shoe phone, it'd be me. For now, I'll start with a smart phone.  Please stop by my Tooling Around post to share your experiences with mobile technology.

Faster

As of 9:00 this morning I finished week seven of my Couch to5K training program.  That means the last four times I ran I covered two and a half miles in 25 minutes. Please allow me to shout that at you.

I RAN TWO AND A HALF MILES IN 25 MINUTES

Each time I run it takes me less time to fall into a good rhythm, less time to cover more distance, and less time to recover when I'm done. It. Feels. Amazing.

Stronger

I totally conquered the monkey bars this week and I have the battle wounds to prove it - one for each hand!

Okay, maybe that doesn't prove it, but I know I finally made it all the way across the playground monkey bars and that's what's really important. I am getting stronger. Unfortunately, the monkey bars in Emily's schoolyard are only10 bars long but this is a photo of the Tough Mudder monkey bars:

from the Tough Mudder Facebook page.

I'm still pretty sure I'll have no problem with these by December.  Because I'm awesome.

I'm getting smarter, faster, and stronger because it is good for me and it makes me better for you.  Don't forget, I want to know the ways in which you have made yourself better and the things you still hope to accomplish.  (You could win a custom garter and you'll definitely find a support system here).

We're changing the world, you and me. 

Change your thinking

I had planned a completely different post for Monday, but, apparently, the post had plans of its own.  No matter; I spoke from my heart -

I want to help women learn more about themselves, feel more like themselves, and be more like themselves.

 To do that, I design-one-of-a-kind garters (and a few hair accessories), like these:

Fun, right?

But it isn't enough.  Changing the way you perceive yourself is a process.  It is different for everyone so I can't just give you a five step program and call it good.

What I can do is invite you to take part in my growth and offer to be a part of yours. How?

I am so glad you asked because I have a proposition and a give away for you!

Remember when I told you I was training for a 10+ mile obstacle course? I'm still going strong and it has made me really happy.  Every time I run I feel so proud of myself and when I do strength training, well, I actually feel like I might die, but once I stop wanting to vomit I feel pretty fantastic.

But a funny thing has happened. Six weeks in to this whole deal my body hasn't changed noticeably and it doesn't really bother me! My stomach isn't any flatter, my thighs still jiggle when I run, and my butt is neither higher nor tighter. But I'm still happy to go out there three to five times a week and run, lift, stretch, and sweat for at least half an hour.

I think it has to do with a shift in my thinking because I never stuck with a workout program when I was just in it for the "hot body. "

• Now that I have a goal it is so much easier to do the things I know will help me reach that goal. 
• Because I use the Couch to 5K podcasts I don't have to think about how long I've been running. I can just zone out and I naturally keep pace with the music.  It's really really nice to let my brain just wonder where it will.
•  And then there's the sweat issue.  Sweating is gross so I usually try to avoid it, but now I look at it as a chance to clear my body of toxins.  Heck, I might even get a better complexion out of it!

Don't worry, I am not about to tell you to start training for an athletic event, magically solving all your problems.  Instead, I want you to be part of my big event.

I want to run on your behalf.

 

Yeah, you.  The you who is weak from cancer treatment. You over there who finds herself bullied because of office politics even though you are a grown up.  You, sweetie, the one who found the strength to get out of an abusive relationship and continues to get out of bed each day.  And you, yes you, that lady who exercises four hours and eats only 800 calories a day because you'd rather die slowly than put on an ounce. I want to do this thing for you.

On April 22, I'm going to put my training to the test at the Mud Crusade where I'll complete a three-mile obstacle course. In the mud.It should be fun and terrifying. Like Disney World.

from the Mud Crusade page on Facebook

I plan to make and wear a special garter during this grueling delightful experience.  My friend, Alison, has agreed to help me with embroidering a logo. This is where you come in.

I want you to help me come up with a word or phrase that describes each of our journeys.

It needs to be something that describes the woman you are or hope to be such as "ferocious" or "saucy," even "demure." You could offer a change you want to see "equality" or "feminine = strong."

My hope is to have people ask about the garter so I can tell them that I wear it because I represent you (mother of two premature babies who diligently fund raises so other moms don't have to go through all you did).

Leave your suggestion in the comments. Make sure you also leave a way for me to get in touch with you.

In a week, I'll have you vote on the top three.  Then, we'll vote again to pick a winner. Once we know the winning phrase I'll have the ever talented and vivacious Alison embroider it onto some fantastic fabric and I'll make two garters.  One for me and one to give away.

So let's hear what you've got!

Every day I'm shuffling

I titled my post and then had to stop and dance to the Party Rock Anthem 'cuz that's how I roll. Apparently.

So many things going on in my life right now I hardly know where to start! First, and most importantly, I got my husband back last week!  Em and I did just fine while he was away, but I swear everything is so much better now that's he's home with us again. I love that guy.

Upon his return, Ben helped me jump start my training program for the 10 + mile obstacle course I am running in December. Yeah, you just read that on my blog.

Late last year my friend, Angela, asked if I'd run the Tough Mudder with her in 2012. I agreed thinking it was just a goofy little relay-type thing. Word to the wise: ALWAYS SAY MAYBE UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT'S BE PROPOSED! For instance, I'm not sure I would have ever agreed to this:

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie...To get through mud, fire, ice-water, and 10,000 volts of electricity you’ll need teammates to pick you up when your spirits dip. To get over 12 foot walls and through underground mud tunnels, you’ll need teammates to give you a boost and a push...(from http://toughmudder.com/about/, emphasis added).

Yeah.

I am a little scared - hold the little- but I'm actually really happy I decided to do this.  I think everyone wants to get into better shape, but that's a pretty vague goal.  On the other hand, I plan to get into shape for this:

 

 Thank you Tough Mudder Facebook Page

Now, that's a pretty concrete goal.

This past week Ben has helped me concentrate on strength training with some Crossfit-inspired workouts. This week he returned to his usual work schedule taking his motivating influence with him. Bummer.  Since I'm sort of on my own, I've decided to commit to the Couch to 5K plan.
In theory my neighbor, Christine, and the Angela that got me into all this mess will both train with me. I'm hoping I can recruit you guys too. I'm not asking much - just some encouraging words every now and then.

However, I'm pretty sure all this training is going to give me some rocking thighs so if you're looking to tone up for general garter-wearing purposes you might try to play along.  Just a thought.

Now wish me luck!