The First Cut is the Deepest

So I finally got my first run out of the way.  Since injuring my knee in training last year, I hadn't really worked out at all until thursday of last week.  I ran 3 miles and, eventhough I thought it was going to be hell, it ended up being the best run I've had in a long time. Ok, it's the only run I've had in a long time, but still, it wasn't as awful as I thought it was.

I ran at Osprey Point, and it could not have been more beautiful. My run consisted of an up and back along a single lane road through woods and on the bay.  During the run, I ran by horses, deer, and thousands of geese.  It was beautiful, serene, and wonderful.

The first workout on the road to the Tough Mudder was amazing and zen. It is a perfect contrast to the race that looks to be the exact opposite.

In other news, I found several other crazy people that want to get in on the race too.  I'm not so sure that most of them will end up actually doing it, but I do know that I have one definite!

Cheers,

Brent

The First Day of the Rest of my Strife

247 Days and counting, . . . I'll be getting my first real run in today.  My company is going on retreat for the next couple days at Osprey Point, which is on the bay in the middle of nowhere in Maryland. We will spend several days focusing on the company vision, team synergy and other fun stuff.  It is a time for reflection and improvement.

So, I thought, what better time to begin my training. The resort is situated on the bay close to the eastern shore, and offers inspiring views, and some great trails along the water.  I'm excited to get out and run in the clean air, and even better - since I'm still so out of shape, no one will see me gasping for air and holding my throat while my legs remember what it is to run.

If this is my last post, it's because the exercise was too much for me and, as someone once said, . .  uh oh, . . . I feel the big one . . .

Cheers,

Brent

Tough Mudder Fodder

Tough Mudder is a race.  OK, it's not just a race. It's an adventure. The race was developed by the British Special Forces and is described as the race where IronMan meets Burning Man.  This is definitely my kind of race cup of muddy tea.

Tough Mudder races occur across the globe and no two are exactly the same. Some of the highlights include running through fire, swimming and pushing through mud bogs, scaling mountains, walls and obstacles and even challenges involving electric shock.  Some of the statistics say that only 78% of starters finish the race. That's pretty close to 1 out of 4 not finishing.

In looking at pictures and stories on the internet, I'm trying to figure out whether the feeling I get in the pit of my stomach is excitement and anticipation, or terror and a sense of doom. I suspect it is a combination of both.

 This blog is going to chronicle my training for the race and the successes and even failures that I experience on the way. 

The race is exactly 250 days away from today and training starts tomorrow morning.  My amazing sister Krista is racing it with me and we are looking to add to our team.  Anyone interested in joining us should contact me via facebook or e-mail. We are participating in the Wintergreen, Virginina race on October 22 with a start time of 10 AM (hopefully). We plan on going for the weekend and making a party out of it.

I'll be posting at least once a week when possible.  In the meantime, check out the Tough Mudder website and even more fun than that - Tough Mudder Pictures.

Cheers!

Brent