Birthday reflections

It's that time of year again. Another trip around the sun.

My last year in this decade. (I am calm. Very calm)

It's the eve before my birthday and I can't help but be reflective and think back upon this year. 

Let's see.

Just a few things that happened this year:

I started off the year by running the Army 10-miler with my husband.

We attended two weddings.

Hung out in Napa & Sonoma Valleys and drank wine.

We worked out with Billy Blanks.

I played in the pit of Mamma Mia! at my old high school, collaborating with former co-workers.

We went through a very loooooong kitchen renovation.

And other house projects.

I took on a book challenge and am reading LOTS (with a feline companion...LOL!).

We went to Boston and revisited our engagement spot. 

We celebrated my mom's 70th birthday.

I bought a 100-year old baby grand Steinway piano (a dream come true!).

I got into obstacle course racing and completed my first Spartan Trifecta.

I started my Master’s degree in Music Education with a focus on Orff-Schulwerk. 

I completed Orff Level 2. 

We traveled to Washington State and Canada and took in some beautiful sights. 

I am practicing for another recital and challenging myself with new repertoire.

There are a lot of "things" and life events listed there.

I learned a lot in the process.

I learned to continue to take the time to BE with myself and replenish.

To challenge myself (Spartan races, academic stretching) yet find ways to relax and chill (like reading!).

To continue to grow and deal with what life gives me, in the best way I can.

I actually went through one of the hardest and more painful things I've had to go through in a long time this year. I won't elaborate on it in this moment, but it was a tremendous lesson in letting go of the things you can't control and feeling all the things you need to feel. Not rushing any part of the healing process. Not bypassing the tough moments. Feeling all the feels without judgement. 

That is a constant lesson I am learning and growing into. And just accepting. Because that’s life. 

So here’s to another FULL year of adventures and growth! Can’t wait to roll into the big 4-0 with style!

Do what makes you happy.

Spartan Beast WV Race Report (first TRIFECTA!)

I have been meaning to write this Race Report for a bit now. But you know, LIFE. LOL. Actually, it's the weekend of the Spartan Beast in Killington, VT which is supposed to be one of the hardest, if not THE hardest Beast on the East Coast. So, AROOO!!! Go, Spartans!

So, thoughts on this race. Wow wow wow. I really didn't know what to expect. I have never done this distance before. Quite honestly, I can't remember the last time I ran 13 miles. In my training I only went up to 10. And adding 38 obstacles on top of that? Ha! Yeah, so it was just one big "fingers crossed", hope-I-did-all-the-right-things kind of day.

It was fun. My brother and I drove up the night before. It was Spartan Central in WV, let me tell ya. This venue, the host of the most recent World Scout Jamboree (literally wrapping up a few days prior), was big enough to hold all three events in one weekend. Technically five if you count the kids' race and trail run.

Yeah, there are people crazier than I who do the Beast, Super AND Sprint all in one weekend!!!!

(I won't lie ... the seed was planted. LOL!)

So, all things considered, I felt pretty good going in.

In the end, it turned out to be waaaaaay easier than the Super (8 miles) I did in PA for two reasons:

1.     It wasn't a mountain course.
2.     It wasn't nearly as hot.

That made all the difference. I took me only 30 minutes longer to complete the Beast than it did the Super.

So, here we go! A recap of all the obstacles and whether or not I had to do burpees... 

(I put an *** by the obstacles I had never done in a race before)

Gotta smile right before! :) 

1. Hay Wall***

2. Over Wall

3. Monkey Bars

I had to do burpees for these. Notice how the monkey bars are at different heights? Yeah...

Burpee count: 30

4. Olympus

I was super proud of myself because I did this one completely on my own this go around. During the Super I had assistance. Not a bad thing AT ALL, just happy to have been able to do it solo.

5. Stairway to Sparta

6. The Box

7. Beater

That's my "Oh sh*t." face. Those bars twist. Fun times. I did not complete this obstacle. BUT instead of burpees, they had a penalty run (lots of uphill). I'll take a run over burpees any day.

8. Log Carry***

9. 7' Wall

10. Twister

They do exactly as they say. Yeah...no.

Burpee Count: 60

11. Z-Walls

12. Atlas Carry

13. Sandbag Carry #1

14. The Armer***

Basically a super heavy ball with a chain on it. 

15. Tyrolean Traverse***

I was really nervous about this one, but I made it! Phew!

16. Sandbag Carry #2

17. Cargo Cliff Climb

18. 8' Wall

19. Irish Tables***

I couldn't find a race picture, but this was the obstacle. Three times. UGH. Not easy.

20. Swim***

This would have been sooo much easier without the life vests. Everyone had to wear one. I get it, but geez. This triathlete was dying to rip it off! LOL

Let's not forget all the climbing in between...

21. Hercules Hoist

22. A-Frame Cargo

23. Inverted Wall

24. Bucket Brigade

25. Pipe Lair

26. Bender

27. Hurdles

28. Helix***

This is actually a new Spartan obstacle. You have to navigate it without touching the top bars. 

29. Rope Climb

I still struggle with my footwork. Boo.

Burpee Count: 90

30. Spear Throw

Yeah...missed it.

Burpee Count: 120

31. Tire Flip***

32. Rolling Mud

33. Barbed Wire Crawl

Trying hard not to get stabbed. LOL.

34. Dunk Wall

35. Slip Wall

36. Multi-Rig

Yup, didn't make it.

Burpee Count: 150

37. Vertical Cargo

38. Fire Jump

Tada! And DONE. 

BAM.

Nearly 6 hours later...

With my free beer, of course. 

So, I did it. I completed my Trifecta in 4 months. I started off with a Sprint in May, got hooked, did a Super in July and Beast in August.

It was a fantastic race. Here are some views from the course.

Will I do it again? 

Absolutely. I am loving this sport. 

I'm not sure if I see another Spartan Race in the more immediate future, but I will definitely continue.

My next goal will be to complete ALL the obstacles without doing burpees. That is certainly a feat in itself!

But for now, just enjoying the feeling of completing yet another goal. AROO.

Do what makes you happy.