World's Toughest Tears

A more mellow year for me and no World's Toughest Mudder this year for me..tear(s)

Thus far 2016 was a laid back year for me as far as endurance races! 
Set out to complete GORUCK HTL and did..
Set out to go sub 25 hour finish in Leadville for the 100 Run and came up short....Finished for a 2nd time though which is cool.
Added another Leadville 100 Trail Run Buckle to the drawer and a bunch of patches from GORUCK HTL, but I will be missing World's Toughest Mudder this year which would have been my 5th WTM.
Gained 210 miles through that race in 4 years and have never once quit or walked away early--- one of about thirty people that have accumulated over 200 miles...I've never quit it or any race which I am proud of. Want to give a shout out to all my WTM Community family. Too many to list here, but as I write this you are gearing up for battle. Right now you have jitters and are wondering if your training was good enough to get you through another year of WTM. It's about 10 minute until the clock starts on your 24 hour journey. Sean is hyping you up right now and once its begins everything is calm and your nerves will be gone. I'll be following along closely. You all got this!!!!!!!!! Don't Stop!!!!

As I sit today and do some reflecting on all the races and events I have done I have accumulated a tub full of medals, headbands, bibs, buckles, patches shirts etc. They are dusty and rarely looked at and they really don't mean a whole to me. I see some people create a wall of medals and finishers awards, but to me that's not why I do these things. Yeah its cool to get a shiny new belt buckle after the Leadville 100, but its not why I toe the line. I am 30 years old now and I have figured out that in this life you can choose many paths. Two that glare at me are one of "things." fancy cars, gadgets, clothing etc. The other is a life full of experiences and adventure. I choose the latter and would rather spend my time and money on experiencing. I drive a beat up car, but I have a wealth of experiences and I have some big things coming up that I am very excited about. 

WTM15 

I read a quote today from Mellisa Dugan another WTM finisher that really ties in with why I love endurance racing so much.  

"It starts as a voice. It tells you to quit. It says you're weak. You begin to doubt and relent. Your muscles ache. No one will know if you stop. You are now battling your mind and the devil on your shoulder. Ignore it. Defy. Fight. Bleed. Enjoy the pain. Remember, you're the best. Because, when you block out the voice, you become fearless. You discover the one thing that separates you from mediocrity. When most people quit, You Don't F#%king Stop!"

There is something that feeds my soul when I do these races where I am so terribly exhausted that my body and mind betray me. They are signalling me to stop in every way and most people in life never reach that point. Its learning about who you really are when you are worn down to the most primitive of a state of survival. We are tricked in this world of comfort and safety(It is a fabricated life that we weren't meant to live.) I think why these races are becoming so popular is the fact that people aren't challenged physically anymore like we used to be. Cubicle jobs and Netflix just doesn't give us what we need. We were made to move miles and carry things and go go go. In my opinion whether it's through a simple fitness routine or through doing endurance races our mind and body need to be pushed and pushed far past comfort zones. We were not made to work a 9-5 job and watch tv at night. You must make time for yourself. 

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS TO SIGN UP OR DO SOMETHING THAT SCARES YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I mean is sign up for or do something that you think you might not be able to achieve or complete. Sky dive, bungee jump, climb a 14er or Everest, sign up for a 5k, half marathon, marathon, 50k, 50 miler, 100 miler or 200 miler. Sign up for an obstacle course race or an adventure race. Challenge yourself daily to be better whether that is eating healthier or maybe quitting smoking or drinking. 
Fitness is vital to our lives because it makes us better! Better moms or dad and husbands and wives. When you keep your body challenged you keep growing and when you challenge your fitness that builds into mental toughness which with those two in combination makes you a happier and more successful version of yourself and that makes you better at LIFE!!! 

The Big Foot 200 scares me. What scares you!? GO Conquer it!!!!
Be your BEST!!!