Comfort Zone

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I am not a big fan of running. Don't get me wrong; I have completed the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon 6 times, but I cannot recall any of those times being enjoyable like it is for some runners.  The last time I completed it was in 2009.  My training consisted of running about 2.5 miles three times per week.  I planned on walking it with a friend who had never done it before and was not a runner.  However, we got separated before even crossing the start line so that left me with no choice, but to run and get it over with.  My plan was to run as far as I could without walking.  I completely anticipated that being about 3 miles.  However, I made it past the track before I allowed myself to walk.  I finished the Mini that day and said that was my last run! 

Fast forward two years.  I just registered for my first sprint triathlon; 500 yard swim, 10 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.  As I was running 800 meters last night at the start and end of our workout I was questioning my sanity, but then I thought about our past weekend and the people who were out on the Death Race course and my run got a little easier. 

It feels good to challenge your own comfort zone and it feels even better when your comfort zone expands.  My goal for the sprint triathlon is to have fun and to finish.  If you aren't having fun then what's the point, right?

Evolving

When I started our blog it was to serve to purposes; 1 - document our experience with the Paleo diet and 2 - satisfy my growing desire to write.  We are still eating Paleo about 80% of the time, but have learned that we will never be 100% nor do we want to! It makes us feel better and we definitely know the health benefits. 

This past weekend, at the Death Race, I began blogging about our experience and not our food.  I realized how much I enjoyed that aspect of blogging.  It was exciting to describe not only what we were seeing and experiencing, but more importantly, what we were feeling.  I loved sharing that with those who were interested in what Patrick was doing in Pittsfield.  Patrick even sent my "Reality" post to one of the race organizers who loved it.  That was a good feeling.

So, rather than get caught up in blogging about one thing only, I am going to use this to blog about the things we are doing to become better individuals, spouses, parents, children, friends and athletes. 

Reality

To try to put this past weekend into words is next to impossible.  In a million years I would never have thought that the Death Race and the people we encountered would change us, but it has.  We arrived in the tiny town of Pittsfield, Vermont on Thursday afternoon and I fell in complete love with it.  Then we started meeting the other racers and we were changed.  The people that we came across over the 4 days were the strongest I have ever met.  And when I say people, I am not referring to athletes only.  I don't know how to adequately describe the role of "support person" at the Peak Death Race.  There were people up for nearly 45 hours chasing down their racer to feed them and give them dry clothes.  They didn't sign up for the Death Race, yet they were in it right along with their racer.  It takes a unique individual to want to be involved in this sort of thing.  I love it.  I am hooked.  I am inspired by my new friends.

 A great example of the type of person I am describing is this - Joe Decker, declared Fittest Man Alive, was in the lead at about 8 pm on Saturday night.  He was in the process of a lot of wood chopping in the parking lot; the ABC crew needed to get their car out so he stops what he is doing (RACING!) to move logs and direct them out of their spot.  Are you kidding me?  This guy is amazing.  And humble.  You couldn't help, but to cheer him on as he sent logs flying with the swing of an ax.  The man is remarkable.  When we saw him at 11 am Sunday morning after he had finished every challenge/obstacle handed to him, he looked good.  Sure, his legs were cut from the knee to the ankle in nearly every visible place, but he was smiling and being so encouraging to those around him still on the course.  That's a class act.  We can all learn from that.

Today it's back to reality though I long to be sitting on the huge porch at Amee Farm overlooking Amee Barn and being caught up in the energy that is the Death Race.  Conversations have started.  We feel that fire beneath us telling us this is the time to make a change.  The Death Race is clearly more than a race.  It is a way of life. 

Thank You

I would like to express my greatest appreciation for the support Melissa has given me during the time I was in the fight; more on this in a little while.  I would also like to express my appreciation for everyone following my progress; not as long as I would have liked it, but I am taking a lot of lessons learned from this experience and will be adjusting my training for 2012 and go back at it.  ABC Nightline interviewed me as I quit, but in exchange they provided me a ride back to the place we are staying.  Please feel free to watch my 15 minutes of shame Monday or Tuesday, which CNN will also be airing the taping they have been doing.  I would also like to thank all of the competitors as they too have taught me a lot about myself and have all been amazing in their efforts regardless of their place.  Regarding Melissa, I have been extremely humbled by her endurance and what she did for me while I was in my 1302 squat cleans with a 25lbs rock as she followed me around the circle feeding me as I rotated. She gave me incredible support emotionally during the tough times and has stood for a person who can improve exponentially when they put their mind to something and serves as encouragement for next years run.  I must also point out that through the registration and purchasing of items (sometimes a bit beyond our budget) she stood by my side and kept encouraging me and telling me that I would do great.  The 4:30 am call was one of the most difficult things I have had to say to her, because I know she would still be supportive of my decision.  I have felt aches and pains and sometimes in life regardless of the situation you have to know when you have pushed your body, and I reached that point fearing I would be a burden to my fellow competitors as we made our way back down the river (2 more hours of cold and slippery conditions; air temp was 55 and the water could not have been too much more than that, and the organizers agreed that the river was up much more than years past; not excuses but this part will not appear adequately during the the presentations as it was in the middle of the night and there was not enough spots along the route for the crews to get footage).  Melissa, I Love and Appreciate all that you have done - THANK YOU!

Ditches, Ponds, and Barbed Wire. Oh my!

We found out why you etch your number in a log.  At the top of the 7 mile hike, the racers are required to move 100 logs for a local farmer.  Then they hie 7 miles back.  It's grueling.  We saw some of our new friends go up after breakfast and it is now after 7 pm.  We are hoping they come down.  Some of these racers coming down look like they may not know their name.  Anyway, back to the logs.  You get back down with your log and, after you check back in, you throw your log into the pond and then make your way through a long barbed wire ditch.  Then, jump in the pond and retrieve YOUR log based on your number.  In the dark it may be difficult.  Once you get your log you head up another mountain to the next checkpoint.  We actually went to the highest drivable point and then hiked up about 30 minutes to meet the 2nd place racer. It was awesome.  He looked great.  He ate, hydrated, and took off back down.  Once they get back down to Amee Farm they have to chop 45 pieces of wood into quarters and then stack it.  As we sit here, Joe Decker, the guy in first place, is chopping and stacking his wood.  Look him up.  He is amazing.  Most functionally fit guy in America.

Stay tuned...the night is young.

A Real Log Fest...

The racers have really started to spread out now.  Some are just now coming off of the trail after completing the 7 rounds and then the trek back up the river followed by the 1 mile trail walk while others have already reached a checkpoint 7 miles up the mountains.  Somewhere between the river and the trail back to the farm, the racers chopped firewood, carried a log up a hill, read a verse from Corinthians, came down the hill, recited the verse, and headed out.  Recite the verse wrong and you go back up the hill, take a look again, and then hope you etched it into your long-term memory.  

Once you reach the farm, you head up a hill, find a log, and then cut it in half with a hand saw.  You carry that log down to the barn where you then use a hand drill to etch a number into the top of the log.  If the number can be read by officials, you strap it to your pack and start your 7 mile hike to Colton Camp.  If they can't, you try again.  

Patrick, being the man he is, ran coffee up the hill to two female racers who were having a rough time.  I imagine they appreciated the thoughtfulness.  I hope they did at least.

The rain has stopped.  For now.  

Water War

3:00 am arrived and I packed up boiled chicken, an egg, and a gallon of water and headed down to the barn.  It was shockingly quiet and only a few support people remained.  After asking around, I found that they had departed for the river.  Now, Vermont had a HUGE snow season and it has been raining cats and dogs all week.  They had to travel down the river, in the water.  Once they got to another spot they had to sit in a pond for 5 minutes.  Patrick said that was rough and between the river and the pond he spent a great deal of time underwater.  They then had to go through the water again, up a muddy hill, and then had to carry a lit candle around a big field.  If your candle blew out then you had to start over.  Finish that and then you do it six more times.  That was the final blow.  Patrick knew that after those seven total rounds then he would have to get back in to the river and he knew his feet were D.O.N.E.  At 4:30 am my walkie talkie start beeping and I heard Patrick's voice saying "Are you there?"  When I answered, he said, "I'm done."  "Done, Done?" I said.  "Yes, you have no idea.  I will explain what it is like out here later."  My response, "There is no shame in that."  In that moment, I loved him even more.

Funny enough, the ABC crew interviewed him and gave him a ride back.  He came in to the Lodge looking strong and feeling great except for the feet.  He took a shower and stuck by his decision to drop. He told me that when the checkpoint person called down to Andy, one of the race founders, to say that Patrick had dropped, Andy said, "NO!  He can't quit!"  Sorry, Andy. Game over.

We slept a couple of hours and then checked on some friends before breakfast.  We just learned that a Navy SEAL has also dropped.  This race is not a joke.  You cannot know what is ahead of you nor can you prepare for everything you will face.  I respect and admire everyone who started this race at 6 pm last night.  It isn't for the weak.

I am proud of Patrick.  I know he is disappointed, but he is walking away having learned a lot!  He is already talking about what to do next year and who to round up to participate.  I love that about him. He may be done today, but he is not done with this race.  Thank you for all of our friends who have sent messages, prayed for him, and helped him train.  It means so much.  We will continue to post about this race while we are here.

Until then...