I had the distinct privilege of participating in a grueling Tough Mudder event this past weekend with Dave and 14 of our friends. Together, we were "Team Pretty" - ready to rock the 7,200 ft. base of Snow Valley Ski Resort. There's nothing like spending 4 hours in the heat, on a 10 mile course, with 21 obstacles and more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain, as a means to learn a little about yourself, your husband, and your life. Totally not your average Saturday. But then again, these aren't your average friends.
It may have been my brain frying from the combination of reduced oxygen intake and sun exposure, but I'd like to think I learned a few things on Saturday that could be called "Life Lessons."
Lesson #1: Stay With Your Buddy
You may feel like you have enough spunk and pizzazz to throw yourself into an ice bath and power up a hill, but when you get to life's bigger obstacles (like 12 foot walls or a mid pit filled with live electric wires), you're suddenly not so tough by yourself. Make sure you have someone to help you over your life's walls...it doesn't matter if they're your best friend or a significant other, as long as you trust them to shove you hard enough to get through the tough spots.
Some of the Mudders were ready to take the course by the horns, others were vomiting from over-exertion. Then there were those teams who let all their true colors fly - like this "I'm On A Boat" team that my "Team Pretty, B Squad" had the pleasure of running with for the day. Yes, they were different, and that was awesome.
Lesson #3: You're Capable of More Than You Think (and if not, get shoved)
Somehow, some way, little Christina Dotson to threw herself off of a 15 foot ledge into a lake of murky water. The poor thing couldn't jump off the Goleta Pier a few short days beforehand. But she faced it and ran off the ledge like there was no ledge. And when you're still facing your fear, sometimes a little shove in the right direction is all you need.
Jen almost crotch kissed the side of the swinging rings water pit (yes, it's ok to make that noise), I almost crashed into Christina's head at the bottom of a water slide, and a few men felt like they lost "something" in the arctic enema (as they all came out screaming like 6 year old girls). Yea, it's not always going to be pretty; however, if you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going, you'll be golden.
Lesson #5: You'll Always Learn Something New About Your Significant Other
Apparently, my husband is an expert keg tosser. Who knew!?!? And the team benefited from all of the free beers he won.
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