Life: Full of Obstacles, and a Little Messy

When I signed up for the Tough Mudder Half I had every intention of training appropriately to do it!  However, time flew by, life was busy and suddenly it was here!  Thankfully I do work out so it was within reach to complete the 5 mile course without dying.  Friends and coworkers from my husbands office created our team this year.  Ranging from 31 to 60+ years old. Which is even more of a reason to say, what is your excuse of not pushing further? Exercising harder, or exercising at all? 

Still Clean 

Found Some Mud

At the start line, a DJ played pump it up music, ran us thru stretches, a little dancing, and had everyone in great spirits with excitement overpowering the crowd.  But what I loved most about this fitness race is the spirit of team work.  I have never participated in a Tough Mudder and part of the speech the DJ gave before starting was that no man should be left behind, doesn't matter your fitness level, if someone needs help, stop and help them!  Sure it might sound cheesy, but once you are on the course, you realize a lot of people need help over walls, climbing out of the muddy banks, among other challenges, and everyone stops and takes a turn to help those they don't know before moving on.  I loved this because isn't the same true about life?  If someone needs help, shouldn't we as humans set our selfishness aside and take the time to help others?!   Some people (like my team) decided to help what felt like everyone before moving on, ha ha, but that was part of the enjoyment!  While I am very competitive in nature, this was the first race I've really just done for fun.  No one on my team was competing for the best time, or to finish first, we laughed, made mud angels, painted our cheeks with mud war paint, and stopped multiple times for our fabulous photographer, who is a dear friend that jogged the course with her precious 6 month baby just to capture the fun for all of us!  

Sweet Andi Helping Mommy Photograph

Now I won't lie, that the 5 mile course sparked a fire in me to do this every year!  Who knew running in the mud, having war wounds on your knees, elbows, shoulders, etc. could be so much fun!  Next year I am already recruiting a competitive team to run the 10 mile course!  Then I hope to enjoy the 5 mile course with my less competitive friends the next day, as yes people really do it two days in a row!  Below are just a few of the many obstacles and fun moments we enjoyed.  

 Mud Tunnels

 Waiting Patiently 

 Human Pyramid

Friends & Mud 


Don't wait for life to happen, make your life happen and LIVE!  And LIVE to the fullest!  You never know when tomorrow may be too late.