26 April 2012

A Different T Minus 3 Weeks

Three weeks from now (assuming I survive Tough Mudder and am not confined to a hospital bed or wheel chair) I'll be at the airport in Brussels (hopefully without food poisoning this time!!) waiting for Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother and Friend.  I'll be taking them on a whirl-wind 4-country adventure (in a rented van because I don't have a 6-passenger vehicle.  Rentals here are standard transmission which means I need to survive TM with both legs working!).  Sister, Brother and Friend only have a week here so I'm trying to fit in as much as possible without simply driving by all the highlights and letting them take pictures out the window.

I'm sure Mom is a nervous wreck worrying about it all despite my telling her not to worry (those who know Mom know there's no point telling her not to worry).  Sister is a nervous wreck because she hates flying and is terrified something will happen to all of them and there will be no one left to take care of her dogs.  Brother tends to get sick when flying so hopefully he'll be feeling fine upon arrival.  I think Dad and Friend will be okay.  Mom will worry enough for everyone; just in case :)

I've stocked up on toilet paper, borrowed beds, and booked hotels.  I know I need green tea for Dad and Coke Zero for Mom and coffee for the boys.  I'm not sure if my teeny-tiny little fridge can handle the needs of 6 people but we will see. 

I'm excited, though!!  Can't wait !

21 April 2012

T Minus Three Weeks

Three weeks from now I'll likely be covered in mud wondering what the hell I was thinking when I let myself be talked into signing up for the Tough Mudder and wishing there weren't still several miles and many obstacles to go before I can lay down and die.  Oh yeah, I can't wait :)

Last Sunday I trained for three hours.  I alternated miles on the treadmill with weights. I was surprised by how much easier the miles were when I got to take breaks (it's scary that I now consider lifting weight to be a break).  I did 8 miles total.  I never thought I'd ever have reason or be able to run 8 miles (unless it was over a couple days!) let alone feel like I could run more when I was done.  That said, however, I will be glad when this challenge is over and I can spend 3 hours sitting on my couch (or hopefully in my hammock if the weather ever gets nice) on the weekend instead of working out in the gym or getting lost in the nearby wood on a training run!!!

In case you still want to show your support for our wounded warriors, check out Help For Heroes .  And thanks!

02 April 2012

Trail Run - Spa

Last Saturday a few Tough Mudder teammates and I did a 5 mile trail run in Spa, Belgium. Let me just say that this Spa did not involve any thermal pools, massages or embarrassing naked moments. It did, however, involve pain!

The splotches and arrows of flour tell you which path to take.

Up, Up, UP...
We started way down there somewhere.

At the finish line!