Saturday, April 20, 2013

Bucket List Realized




A few months ago I was approached by a coworker to join her in running the Spartan Race.  Little did she know that this was a bucket list item.  I was honored but that she wanted to run with me. I didn't want to admit that I was terrified!!!!

I am no small girl. I have run a few 5k races in the past year, so I really wasn't worried about the distance.  But.....  There would be WALLS... 5, 6, 7, and 8 foot tall walls...  This girl, would have to find her way over many, many walls.... This would be a feat of epic proportions!


I did the best training that I could (taking into consideration my limited time). I worked on strengthening my upper body. I worked with my trainer using a TRX system.  I worked on body weight exercises. I didn't train as much as I wanted to, but I did as much as I could.

When it came down to the day of the race, I was very very anxious.  It was one of those do or die moments.  I knew that I was going to have to pull on strength from a very deep place and I was unsure if that place even existed within me.   I knew that I was going to have to rely on the team that I was running with!  There would be obstacles that I would fail if there wasn't a hand up or a cheering section standing with me!
Upon meeting this great group of people, I knew that I would make it through!  We were all there, joined by a common goal.  This team had come together to fight hunger on Long Island.  There are still so many people in the region feeling the impact of Hurricane Sandy.  We were there to become "Champions Against Hunger".

Very quickly it was time to line up in the corral... We got closer and closer to the start.  Every minute or so a group of  20 would line up and get released onto the course..soon there were no more people in front of me... I found myself standing at the start line..My inner monologue was waging its very own civil war.  In one moment I was building myself up...  I can do this.. I will succeed.. and in the next...  Are you crazy?.. Do you know where the closest hospital is?....
Once we crossed that start line, it became very surreal... the details jumble together and it felt like a total out of body experience...  There were walls.... Lots of walls...  But there were also feats of strength, lifting, carrying, moving... There were calisthenics... a weighted jump rope, a rowing machine...  Then there were the things that were just crazy!!!  I never thought that I would have to train for hopping up 4 flights of stairs with a rubber band holding my ankles together!!!

But sure enough... each obstacle was conquered... each mile was ticked away.. yes I needed the support of my team... I needed a scoot over a wall... I needed to be pushed to finish the box jumps at the end...  But.... 
I FINISHED..... I conquered the Spartan Race!  I finished in one hour and 48 minutes...  This was not a record setting time.. but there were over 300 people after me!!! 
 I am so thankful to everyone on the Fishbattlers Vs. Sandy team that stuck with me, that served as my strength when I had none, and cheered me on when I felt defeated.  I would not have this medal, and the bruises and body aches too, if it were not for all of you!!!

Below is a video that chronicles the event that was made by the marketing company Fishbat.  They were responsible for putting together the Spartan Race team and have become a driving force against hunger on Long Island.  Please take a couple of minutes to watch!!





See the rest of my Bucket List!!!

2 comments:

  1. So inspiring! I dream of doing one of these one day, but I know it will take some time before my knee is rehabbed enough to even run a 5k...let alone that! I am so proud of you!

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    1. Dani, thank you for chiming in! Just so you know, I had two massive reconstructions to my knee 6 and 7 years ago. I didnt start running until a year ago. I hope that one day you can heal enough to be as physically active as you want to be! Good LUCK!

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