What would you do knowing you would never be successful at it? Knowing you can never share it on social media, you will never get paid for it and basically, you do it for the pure joy it brings to you.
Last week my Cross Fit gym hosted a beer mile. This is a real event, the world record is 4:34. Obviously, this is an elite runner who happens to guzzle beer. Warning, If you turn the equation around it doesn't work. Elite beer guzzlers who happen to run are not likely to set records! Anyway, the rules are pretty simple. Drink, run a 400, and repeat four times. One stipulation, the beer does need to be 5% or higher alcohol content. I had participated in a beer mile a few times before but, I had always drunk light beer, as I am a girl and well...I thought it was only fair. However, I was informed to be legit I had to drink heavy! For some unknown reason, I decided on Guinness Blonde. Blondes do have more fun, or so they say! Beer 1: Ready, set, drink. The first beer went down relatively easy, it was hot and I was thirsty. I was feeling good until the 300 mark, my hamstring, I could feel it tighten up and slow me down. No time to think about it though, keep running. Beer 2: I guzzled my second beer quickly and was feeling confident as I was in the lead. Beer 3: My third beer was a little warm, my blonde friend was not too fun right now. As I finished the third 400, I could feel my stomach expanding, I thought it might pop if I had a belly button ring, (which I don't) but if I did I am sure it would have popped off like a cork. Beer 4: By now the beer was very warm and my stomach was at capacity, but I was in the lead and needed to guzzle. As I took off on my last 400, an image of me having a projectile moment ran through my mind, I also had bad thoughts about blondes, I think I was starting to hallucinate! I stopped with hands-on knees not sure I could go on but, quitting was not an option. I started to run/jog and to my surprise with less than 100 yards to go I heard footsteps and they quickly passed me like I was standing still. I was beaten! This race got me thinking. Why do I do it? I don't get paid to run. Obviously, I felt like crap after guzzling four Guinness Blondes,(I'm a brunette) and I strained my hamstring. There is no logical reason for my actions. I guess it's time to leave logic behind. I do it because it brings me joy. I challenge you to find the one thing that you do because you love it, it makes you feel alive and win or lose, you are doing it. Find your "me time". Whether it be golfing, running, sewing, painting, singing, writing, meditating, walking or sitting quietly on your front porch, find and protect your passion. When you feed your passion, your passion will fuel you. By the way, running is the part that brings me joy, the beer was just icing on the cake! "Feel the Rush"
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Adventures are like an education without the book! Minnesota Spartan, top 10 lesson learned.
10. Don't eat fried pickles the night before a race. I know this seems obvious to the casual observer, but after riding in a car for 6 hours sometimes the excitement of arriving seems like a victory. 9. It's not all about me! Shocker! This race was different because my 5 grandkids, my daughter, and her boyfriend had not raced a Spartan before. I figured this out when my daughter was frantically following me around the venue before the race and yelled: "Mom are you going to tell us what to do?" "OOPS!" 8. "Code Irene?" It was down pouring before the race, we were getting updates on Facebook about race delays. Spartan posted that there was no parking yet and there was a 30-minute delay. Then someone commented with, "We are in Code Irene!" What the....? 7. Don't judge others, but it is ok to laugh inside...just a little! I was standing at the start line of the 3+ mile race and observing those around me. The guy next to me was jumping up and down, flailing his arms, deep breathing in his obvious warm-up mode. Then I noticed he was wearing a camelback. I wanted to gently remind him of the four water stations and the fact he could probably climb, crawl and run faster without the extra pack. I smiled and wished him luck! 6. Brave and stupid are not synonyms. About halfway through the race I heard it, rumbling and more rumbling. As I was carrying my sandbag up the hill someone yelled at us to come back. They were evacuating the mountain, safety issues. I finished my sandbag carry and followed the crowd. Then I heard it. a lady asked, "Is this mandatory or can we keep going?" The official told her it was mandatory. She did not like his answer. How do I know this? Her response was something like, "We signed waivers so I don't know why we have to ........." 5. When you "bring it on", you really need to, "bring it on". With the race delay, confusion in the morning schedule and fried pickles, I was not feeling the rush so to speak. The first obstacle was a big hurdle, I remembered it from last year as my rib cage was bruised from jumping up and then over. This time I ran, jumped and plopped, back down. What? Ok, back up, run, jump and over! Game time. 4. Not everyone enjoys pain. After the race, I was waiting for my youngest daughter, as I was a little worried about her. She did not really train, she is not a runner and she was really here for the family time. All of a sudden I looked up, there she was, standing with her boyfriend. She looked as if she just got off a rollercoaster, one that was on autopilot and did not stop. She was a pale shade of green and I asked her if she was ok. As she swayed from side to side, she replied that she was not ok and she threw up 2 times during the race. "OOPS" 3. Weaknesses can be beneficial. Everyone who knows me knows my sense of direction is zilch. As I was waiting to start my heat I noticed the guy in charge was telling everyone they needed to wear the red wristband from their packet to be in the competitive race. Some replied they were not given one so he gave a few people a band, but then started to run out and sent the others back to registration. I waited for the right moment and asked him if I had to wear the band and he said yes. He told me to go back to registration and then I asked him how to get back to registration. He immediately gave me a red band! 2. Actions speak louder than words. I was confused, I wondered why my daughter worked so hard in this race, hard enough to get sick? She was not in the competitive heat so I thought she would lollygag. To my surprise she made it further on the rings than I did. She is tougher than she leads on. Apparently, competition is something inside, beyond our control. How hard you push speaks volumes. 1."If you can see yourself doing something, you can do it. If you can't see yourself doing it, usually you can't achieve it." David Goggins Side note: My daughter thinks lesson #9 (see above) should be lesson #1! OOPS:) "Feel the Rush" How often have you invited someone to share in your joy? I know I personally share great books, movies, healthy food and much more when I feel moved and inspired. I have invited more people than I can remember to run a Spartan race and I am excited to announce, I found some takers. My daughter and her boyfriend will be joining me in Minnesota to race their first Spartan this weekend! OO-RAH!
Speaking of invitations, I heard a great homily on Sunday. The priest challenged us to invite others not only to things and events, but invite others to what moves us each and every moment of our life, Jesus Christ. So I am inviting you with the same enthusiasm as I have when I invite you to a Spartan race. Sign up today to visit Him in His house or in prayer. OO-RAH! What does OO-RAH mean anyway? Why do marines say it so often and with such passion? I decided if I am going to spout it I better know what I am spouting! Well I just happen to find the top 10 list of possible meanings. 1. I am a Marine 2. I enthusiastically accept your message 3. I am excited to be here. 4. Pleased to make your acquaintance. 5. What you ask of me , I will not only do, I will in a manner befitting a Marine. 6. I expect good things out of you. 7. Good job. 8.I am not supposed to be motivated about performing this task, but I will force myself to express excitement for the benefit of my fellow Marines and to tactfully annoy my superiors who gave me the task. 9. I love being a Marine. 10. I am about to destroy something. After learning the meaning of OO-RAH it got me thinking??? I bet the man responsible for creating this great word......is a...... "man of few words"! "Feel the Rush" |
AuthorToday is the first day of the rest of your life. What do you want your life to look like? The amazing thing is the choice is yours. I have spent many years of my life being passive, allowing things to happen to me. How many of us are spectators in our own lives? I know I was for years. I watched my energy decrease. I was tired, bloated, and had brain fog. Most days I woke up only to look forward to my next nap.Then I began an active quest for energy, peace and joy! I can honestly say it was a long journey, which I am still on. I am no longer looking for the magic pill! Magic hacks....yes! At 51 I feel more energetic than I have in years. If I were to give everyone the top 3 things to allow you to live your life with energy, peace and joy... Archives
July 2022
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