Insanity!

It has commenced.  After a 6 pm meeting at the local church for a briefing on world religions, the racers headed back to Amee Farm Barn where they were told to carry logs into piles of 15.  Who know what will happen with those.  I imagine the ax will come in handy!  Next they got into groups of 13, made a big circle out of 13 rocks, threw a huge pvc pipe, a bale of hay, and a big rock into the center and then picked a rock.  The task is simple; pick up your rock, bring it to your chest, take it back to the ground (DON'T DROP IT!), and then rotate to your left.  After you have picked up each rock in the circle, your team gathers in the middle, picks up all of the items in the center, and then cleanly puts them down.  That is one round.  Repeat 150 times.  Yes, I said 150 times.  That was 4 hours and 39 minutes ago.  They just hit the halfway point.

So, what did I do all evening?  The race organizers said that they would give us a clue to help our racer out later in the race.  The catch?  You had to hike "one mile up that mountain" and find the clue past "the house."  One mile, my A$$!  After a 2+ mile hike IN THE DARK and up a windy, wet, muddy trail we found the clue.  I was smart enough to bring a camera so I got a lot of pictures and then headed up higher with a couple of other people.  After enough mud I decided to head back down to the lodge.  Sadly, I found out that if you hiked farther up there were 3 more clues.  However, I found someone who will share with me so that is great!  The bad news?  Patrick owes me a new pair of Nike Frees.  My are trashed!

This is such an amazing experience.  I am so happy that we are able to be here.  The physical and mental strength it takes for this race is unbelievable and rare.  I am so proud of Patrick as I watch him lift those rocks.  What will tomorrow bring?  Who knows, but I can't wait to find out!