More pictures

Just a few more to share with you all, because I am so euphoric about it all still!

The starting line, and no, I am not one of those shirtless people you see :)

AFTER rolling in the mud under the barb wire.

 Leaping fire!  - was really, really hoping for a better picture of this obstacle, but it is what it is and I know there is fire with that smoke!

 Battling through the gladiators to get to the finish line, with my brothers BEHIND me, WOOT WOOT!

Here come the boys!  WE DID IT! WE ARE SPARTANS!! YES!~

I AM A SPARTAN!!!

The race was AMAZING!  Easily one of the BEST days of my life.  I did not complete every obstacle, but I tried ALL of them.  There were 5 I had to do burpees for instead, total 150 burpees, but I completed the course.  It ROCKED!!!

Getting ready. "George" is hanging out. George is the rock in the picture and there is a very, VERY long story that accompanies him. If you are not delirious from going 10 miles and thinking a bike is a snake, you probably won't see the humor in it. :)  However, George went the entire race with me and has lived to tell about it.

After the race.  We really were even muddier than this at one point, but this is the shot when we got back to my brothers' place. Complete FUN and total exhaustion.

The next day at lunch with another friend as well. The restaurant is probably thrilled we showed up in our shirts and not the medals too, lol!!

Race Brain

Race Brain- that is what I am officially calling it.  Many mothers out there will identify it with Pregnancy Brain, just differently motivated.  I am doing nothing be thinking about Saturday and the Super Spartan.  I want to talk about it, think about it, work out for it, pack for it (yes, I said PACK already).  Nothing else is getting through. In fact, several things I should be remembering are getting forgotten.  Like what day it is, lol!


So, anyone else do this?  Is it just me?  Please tell me it isn't just me!

In ONE WEEK!!

A week from tomorrow I will be participating in the the Super Spartan.  It is almost here!  This day was forever away, but now it is so close and I am more and more excited every single day!  I can not WAIT!!!

SPARTAN RACE

If anyone else would like to participate in these races, you can use the code IDSPARTA002 for any race, as often as you would like for $15 off registration.

ALSO - I know there is a need for additional volunteers for the Arizona Super next week.  Volunteering comes with the opportunity to race for free.  If you are interested, let me know and I will give you the person to contact.

Getting giddy excited here!

Are you SPARTAN strong?

just over FOUR WEEKS until my Spartan Super in AZ with my brothers.  Honestly, I can not WAIT!  I am terrified and super excited all at the same time.  Knowing that we are doing it together and sticking together through the course is of great comfort and also what is going to give us some fun, laughs and fabulous stories!!

Are YOU Spartan Strong?  They have races all over the country, you can find the schedule on their website here:

SPARTAN RACE

use code IDSPARTA002 for $15 off your registration for any of the events and find out!

Now, off to the gym with me!
Alex

Running from ZOMBIES?!?!?

This app looks absolutely FUN and hysterical!  I do not have a smart phone, but you can bet that when I do, this is going on it!  What a great way to change things up.  Just BRILLIANT!

Get going Runner 5!!

Reflections on the year and 2012

I was thinking the other day about all the things I want to do for 2012.  It is that time of year you know.  I was thinking about the Spartan Super in 7 weeks and wondering if I am really ready or just how crazy I am and so glad to have my brothers doing it too.  Thinking about being excited to do the Race to Robie again this year.  Thinking about my daily grind and how to make it less of a grind.  Part of me became very overwhelemed.  I had to step back and instead reflect on 2011.

One year ago:
I had not started running and learned that after the first 1 1/2 miles, I LOVE it.
I had not gotten to know my friend Betty so well and I am soooooooooooo blessed to have her in my life.
I had not considered running the Race to Robie, EVER.
I had not done a 5k.
I had not done a half marathon.
I had not finished a FULL MARATHON!!
I had not considered signing up for a Spartan Race.
I had not realized how much power is 'IN ME'.
I had not fully appreciated the amazing friendships I am surrounded by (how many people do you know that will come run part of 22 miles with you and support you on the rest of them during their weekend retreat?-thank you Kimberlee!)
I had not realized and appreciated how silently supportive my fabulous husband is even when he just doesn't 'get it'. 


I am truly blessed!

Now, it is time to build on this.  Really build.  I have made so much progress, but I am not done!  I will constantly BE a Work In Progress.  That is what it is all about.  So, for 2012...

I will continue to set goals for competitions.  I have learned these are what keep me motivated to get out there and MOVE.

I will continue to improve my eating habits.  I have learned (but need reminded sometimes) some things about myself.  Sugar is my addiction.  I love sweets.  I am very much one of the one bite is too much and the entire pan is never enough variety.  IF I do not have the one bite I am fine.  Once I do, the will power is out the window.  I completely agree with everything a person reads that one bite will satisfy and the first bite is the best, etc., etc., etc.  If you can do this, DO!  It is correct.  However, I need to just not have it.  That is when my will power works.  I can say no to the entire spread, until I start, then the will power no longer exists.

There truly is NOTHING that tastes good enough to do situps, pushups, 5 mile run and burpees for.  NOTHING!  Not even creme brulee, and for those of you that know me, you know what I just said.  I can NOT complain about the way I look and eat the way I have.  That is hypocritical.  If nothing changes, nothing changes.  The ONLY person responsible for this is ME!  I either want it enough or I don't.  End of story.

My time is valuable.  I need to spend it doing things that make me happy.  Now, with regard to my daily grind.  I only have a certain level of control there.  BUT I can control how much I invest.  I will give it my BEST on a consistent basis.  Yes, I will have bad days, but since I am there I need to truly 'show up'.  Will it be perfect, nope.  Will I survive, yep.  Can I give more, most certainly.  I am being paid to be there, I need to give what they are paying for.  Show up, put up and shut up - or get out.

Life is too short to be surrounded by misery.  People who drain me, may no longer get my energy.  I can love people and care about them, but I can NOT change them.  I can't help anyone who doesn't TRULY want it.  That is not mean, that is taking care of me.  The only person I CAN change.

For the last several years, a group of gals I am blessed to know have participated in an exercise to select a word for the upcoming year.  This year, I spent a lot of time thinking and am actually reusing one from several years ago.  My word for 2012 is STRENGTH.  I have learned there is more strength in me that I realized and I need to call on it.  I also need to develop more of my physical strength, intellectual strength and strength to be the best I can be.  I want to continue to strengthen the wonderful relationships around me.  I am truly blessed and should nurture that!   I want to be an example and source of strength for those around me that wish to have it.

So, what did you DO and LEARN in 2011?  How will you 'TAKE IT FORWARD"? 

Wishing you all the very best in the upcoming year of 2012, and THANK YOU for being part of my journey this far.

lots of hugs and strength!
Get Inky!
Alex