St. Louis Tough Mudder Recap

All the fear and trepidation about flying to a strange city specifically to run a Tough Mudder with complete strangers was eased the moment I met Kim (and her team) in person on Friday night. They were so warm, welcoming and friendly. We gave each other a great big hug and bonded while decorating shirts for the Mudder.

Saturday we woke up at the crack of dawn and headed to (what I would describe as) the middle of nowhere.

Cell service was sketchy so I wasn’t able to post many updates. I may be the only person who likes when that happens because I get to completely disconnect — something I don’t do nearly enough.

Here’s our crazy team as we head to the start line in our matching blue shirts.

There were eight of us: From left to right below, Donna, Liz, Sheila, Kim, Adam, me, Emily, and Cory.

Kim was really excited and EXACTLY how I pictured her from our email exchanges.

It’s so funny and many won’t believe me, but for as many people I meet from the site who tell me “I feel like I know you” the feeling is usually mutual. I don’t hold much back on the blog, so if we chat in email or on Facebook it’s me, like really me.

During the event we had our own personal photographer.  Megan, Kim’s daughter, was snapping from the spectator points. She was amazing!

This was my sixth Tough Mudder and it was the muddiest one yet!

And let me tell you, there’s something extra special squishy and sticky about Missouri mud.

We sloshed through, slipping and sliding.

And that’s how teams bond during a Mudder.

Kim, Donna and I chatted a bunch on the course. It was so great getting to know these amazing people.

There were a lot of smiles.

But we were working our tails off.

And the sense of accomplishment was rampant in the best way possible as we tacked obstacle after obstacle.

Everyone did an amazing job and we conquered each obstacle as a team. After 11 miles and 16 obstacles we were exhausted and the thought of making it up the half pipe was daunting.

But we dived right in! That’s me taking the leap …

And getting up on my very first try!

We worked as a team and got everyone up that darn pipe. This is Kim’s first and only attempt as well!

Megan snapped so many pictures I just had to turn it into an animated gif for her.

We totally rocked it!

Here we are in the half pipe afterglow as the finish line was in sight.

This is my favorite picture of the day. I was so proud and happy for Kim I can’t think about it without tearing up.

She did it.

She shoved herself out of her comfort zone, overcame her fears and accomplished something she never thought possible.

I’m so proud of our team and I feel honored I got to be a part of their first Tough Mudder.

Note: That Guy in the back with the open mouth totally photobombed us and it CRACKS me up ever time I see it.

The whole experience has renewed my love of the Tough Mudder. After taking a few months off after the Double Header I was having my doubts but it was just as fun as I remembered. I can’t wait until Kentucky next month!

My other Tough Mudder events:

Tough Mudder PA 2021 – My First one! Tough Mudder Florida 2012Tough Mudder SoCal 2013(and 5) Tough Mudder Mid Atlantic – My Double Header!

Huge shout out to froyo18 on Instagram for all the photos! Thanks, Megan!

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Tough Mudder St. Louis Here I Come! + This Weekend’s Quote

Have you ever embarked on an adventure while thinking “Is this really happening? Is this REALLY happening?“ 

That’s how I feel this very moment as I sit in an airport diner waiting for my omelet.

I’m headed to St. Louis today to run a Tough Mudder tomorrow. You may remember my Tough Mudder Madness post this past spring when I held a contest to run a Tough Mudder with whoever was willing to enter.

I got a few takers and have a crazy schedule I’m trying to keep for the end of the year.

I ended up canceling Buffalo because of a speaking engagement at BlogHer and I’m not sure I’ll be able to do Tri-State but there was no way I’m missing Kentucky, North Carolina or this weekend’s St. Louis.

I’m running each of those events with people who are very special to me and I can’t wait to experience the Mudder with each and every one of them.

This weekend I’ll be hanging with Kim and her posse.

That was Kim back in March — click here to read her introduction post.  I have watched her transform (not only physically but emotionally and mentally) on her blog Zero to Mudder …

and I simply can not believe I’ll be giving her a big ‘ol hug later today.

Kim wrote me this email a few days ago and I asked her permission to share it with you because I think she hits the nail on the head about taking care of “us” first (especially moms.) I can’t read it without crying …

I am so grateful for you Roni – you have no idea. Grateful isn’t a big enough word to describe what I am regarding your initial inspiration just by being you – and then selecting me to do this crazy venture with – to saying encouraging words as I freak out.

They say that people can be inspired by each other and that small things we do can inspire others. I honestly can say I have never been inspired in such a selfish way before. I would be inspired to do things for others all the time but to be inspired to do something just for me??? Oh no…. never! For as long as I can remember, I put everyone above myself on the “list” of who to care for. Typical mom, typical wife or supporter, right?? For THE FIRST TIME EVER IN MY LIFE I am NUMBER ONE on my list. And I love it! It was one hell of a feat to get here but I am NOT giving it up!

As I worked out with my amazing trainer last night who calmed my fears about the Mudder obstacles and gave me great tips on running I looked around the gym and this is what I saw:

My daughter was there because she “needed to run” and work out her stress (she’s a new college student)My husband was there because he has been inspired by my journey and wants to join me

Then it hit me, I realized that because I put myself FIRST, I have given my loved ones the best ME I can be and in turn, they are learning how to care for THEMSELVES TOO!

Pretty funny how we can read about other people doing that “put yourself first and you will be a better person for your loved ones” and think, “Yes, but I can’t because” …

Well, screw THAT! I am now a different woman than I was in February when this CRAZY ride began. I am NOT where I “hoped” I would be physically but I discovered something BIGGER and BETTER. This journey was more than just working out,  it was conquering a mental beast that was MUCH bigger than my “weight” struggle. I was so focused on calories, exercise and “all or nothing” attitude that I stumbled here and during all of this  I found my stride, I found a lifestyle that is working for me, and it feels fantastic. I have found my power, I have found my moxy, and I have discovered that I am stronger than I ever thought possible. And I have just scratched the surface of who I can be. That my dear friend  is why I still blame YOU for all of this. Because YOU have been inspiring me for YEARS and the switch finally came on in my life. So “grateful” isn’t a big enough word to describe what I am feeling Roni.

This….

“Then it hit me, I realized that because I put myself FIRST, I have given my loved ones the best ME I can be and in turn, they are learning how to care for THEMSELVES TOO!”

Have truer words ever been spoken?!

That’s today’s weekend quote and I want all the moms (and dads) who put themselves on the bottom of the to-do list to really ponder it. Sometimes it’s hard to balance everyone’s interests, including your own, but it’s oh so worth it and I can’t express with words how ecstatic I am to see Kim come to this realization as I remember the feeling when I figured it out for myself as well.

I’m about to board for St. Louis. While I’m there I’m also scoping out a few hotels for a possible future FitBloggin‘. I’ve also been tasked with getting the 8-year-old a St. Louis key chain, The 2-year-old a St. Louis book, and The Husband a St. Louis T-shirt. This has become our tradition when I travel without them.

Speaking of, I need to give a HUGE shout-out to The Husband who’s been so amazingly supportive of all my travel adventures recently. He’ll never see this (he doesn’t read the blog) but I couldn’t do any of this without him.

I still can’t believe all of this is happening.

I feel like I’m on autopilot.

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Tough Mudder Madness Team St. Louis: Meet Kim

Kim didn’t win the Tough Mudder Maddness giveaway but she has registered for the St. Louis event and we will be running together!

Hi – I’m Kim – and that is ME in my tight-as-all-get-out Mudder Training T-shirt. First let me explain…. I was so excited and nauseous to register, I thought – I want a T-SHIRT to train in and one at the finish line… I wanted an extra large – but ordered a large because I thought it would make me slightly uncomfortable to wear a shirt that didn’t have a lot of bag-and-sag to it… well, imagine my surprise when I pulled out this –ahem – LARGE shirt that was more like an extra-small!!! At first I was disappointed – but then, I decided it was PERFECT for my before pictures.

Ok – back to me… I am 45 years old and currently weigh 208 pounds. My “goal” weight is 140ish pounds – which cracks me up because that’s what I weighed when I got married 24 years ago and I thought I was SO overweight then. I know most of you can relate to the battle we fight every day that exists between our ears – but as I gave some thought to this whole Tough Mudder journey and writing a guest post, I was struck by how I have let the numbers on the scale define my daily repetitive, caustic, insane thinking. I remember the first time I stepped on a digital scale when I was 13 years old… I had ripped through puberty – lost my baby fat and developed curves and hips. I went to a friend’s house and she showed me the fancy scale – I couldn’t wait to hop on!!! We were in our bathing suits so I knew my weight would be accurate – and it said 111 pounds. My friend weighed 93 pounds, had no boobs or hips and she gasped at my weight. From that point on – I was fat no matter what the scale said. It has been a mind game ever since – and I was losing the game.

I have spent my entire life since then believing I couldn’t do anything physically challenging because I was fat. I believe that had a direct result on my being afraid to do anything adventurous. My weight consumed my thinking… I let my fearful thinking dictate my every move. I didn’t go to college. I didn’t pursue any particular path that interested me – but I became one heck of a follower!!! I learned I was an excellent encourager, supporter and cheerleader for everyone else – but me.

Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely LOVE my life! I love my hubby and two amazing kids (23 y/o son and 18 y/o daughter). I love my job and the people I work with – and I wouldn’t change a SINGLE thing about my life!
This brings me to now – in a moment of sheer crazy – I entered this contest and am now on a path that is all about ME. If you care to follow along and see my crazy up close – I invite you to follow me @ zerotomudder.tumblr.com

Roni, rather than ask you any questions, I just want to say thank you for putting yourself out there for myself and others to be inspired by – and to relate to. I can’t wait to see you in St. Louis! ;O)

You are so welcome Kim! I can’t express how excited I am by all of this!

I haven’t had time to reach to everyone I’m running with this year, but if you want to also introduce yourself on the blog please send it to me. You are all so inspiring!!

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