Spartan

If you dont know what a Spartan race is look it up. This one we did was the Spartan Beast. It is the hardest Spartan race there is. I am not sure why we decided to do the hardest one as our first one but we did. The race was just over 13 miles long and it had about 25 obstacles. 

These orange buckets are filled with rocks. I bet that they weighed close to 50 pounds. You had to fill the bucket up first with the rocks and then you had to climb up a hill with them and then back down to the bottom. We also had to carry sand bags. Geoff made a mistake and carried his around the loop twice. He was a bit upset about that. There was a giant mud pit that we had to jump into. The water was so cold and the mud was slippery. It was so hard to get back out of the water. 

Some of the other obstacles were a bunch of tires all in a row but your ankles were tied together, a set of monkey bars, and a rope ladder net up to the top of a bridge. We also had to climb up a hill on our bellies under barbed wire. There was water running down the hill so there were all kinds of rocks that were getting the dirt washed off of them. I ended up with a lot of cuts on my legs and elbows from there. If you were unable to complete the obstacle you had to do 20 burpees. I only had to do 3 sets of burpees. I had to do them after the monkey bars. I made it all the way across and then fell off trying to get my feet onto the ladder to get down. They said that I did not complete them and had to do the burpees. I also had to do them after shooting a gun and throwing a javelin. I guess aim is not my strong suit. 

At the end of the race right before the finish line there were these gladiators that were trying to hit you as you ran past. They were trying to keep you from getting to the finish line. One of them hit me pretty hard. But I was so ready to be done that I didn't even care.  

The whole Crossfit Zion group before the race. There sure were a lot of us and we all had a blast. 

This is what Geoff and I looked like at the end of the race. We had to get a picture of us with our medals and and covered in mud. We waited a bit to long before we made it to the showers to clean up. The mud had dried and the cup that I was holding was stuck in my hand. I ended up leaving my shoes in a donation pile because they were so dirty that I could not get them all they way clean. This race was long and hard but I had a blast and would love to do another one one day. I am so glad that Geoff humors me and does all of these races that I sign us up for.

Life is like a Train Ride

I got this in an email a few years ago and saved it to my computer at work. I know that it is a long read but anytime I am having a bad day or get my feelings hurt over something I like to go back and read it. There are things in life that we have no control over no matter how hard we try. Just know that even if you think that you have not made an impact on people that you really don't know the answer to that.

A while back, I read a very interesting book that compared life to a train ride or a series of train rides.

Life is like a train ride, it read. We get on. We ride. We get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born and we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents!

Sadly, this is far from the truth. Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete. We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually become very important to us, in turn.

These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances, whom we will learn to love, and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along . 

Others, will encounter many upsets, tears, losses on their journey. Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.  

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off…. Some will get on and get off the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever traveled along with you or ever crossed your path… 

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own. Then again, there’s nothing that says we can’t seek them out anyway.  

Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken. 

That’s okay …everyone’s journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes. We must strive to make the best of it… no matter what...  

We must constantly strive to understand our travel companions and look for the best in everyone. 

Remember that at any moment during our journey, any one of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help. 

We too may vacillate or hesitate, even trip… hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding…  

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come. Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop. Not even those sitting in the seat next to us. 

Personally, I know I’ll be sad to make my final stop…. I’m sure of it! My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I’m close to will be a sad thing. But then again, I’m certain that one day I’ll get to the main station only to meet up with everone else. They’ll all be carrying their baggage… most of which they didn’t have when they first got on this train.  

I’ll be glad to see them again. I’ll also be glad to have contributed to their baggage… and to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life. 

We’re all on this train ride together. Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can, right up until we each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time.

All aboard! Safe journey!! BON VOYAGE! 

Karen's Bridal Shower

Karen is getting married! We could not be any  happier for her. She is such a sweet girl and we know that her and Braxton are going to be so happy together.

Jill set up a bridal shower for her and there was lots of good food. I think that I ate more than my share of everything that was there. It was all so good, I couldn't help myself.

Jill and Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a little wild woman but she sure is cute.

I just love the outfit that she got. You can never have a bridal shower with out trying to embarrass the bride. The brothers all made a video with Braxton asking him different questions. It was a lot of fun to watch. I am sure that poor Braxton was overwhelmed. It sure can be a lot unknown marrying into a family that is as large as our is. We sure are excited to welcome him with open arms. Congrats Karen and Braxton!