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Monday, June 10, 2013

I am Spartan!

Last weekend was my second Spartan Sprint race.  And I could sit here and detail by detail the 4.4 mile hike, run, walk, wheeze, climb up and down, up and down, up and down, and up and down Tuxedo Ridge Mountain.  But I will not bore you with descriptions of the 25 obstacles that required participants to climb, crawl, drag, carry, pull, and jump through mud, water, rocks and finally fire.  No, I will not.

 However, with the help of my guest bloggers, The Staten Island Killa Beez, I will highlight some motivations, preparation, and experiences.

One obstacle sparked a lot of attention:
The Slippery wall.
After crawling through rocks and mud, you are asked to climb a slippery (clearly) wall that is on an incline.  A short rope was attached to aid you in your slippery climb.  It might appear easyat first glance, and to me it did, but you soon feel, see, smell, and taste possible defeat in this wall.  With restitution of 30 burpees.  Personally, I was not going to be defeated by this wall. 

This seemed to be a challenge for many of us. 
Some climbed. 
Some did burpees.

Here are some details of experience:

"Tried to walk sideways, pulling myself up by the rope, tried not to fall back.  Fail.  Rope burn. Splinters? Hand over hand on the rope, tighter muddy grip, kicking my leg up as far as to go over the wall.  Fail.  Spartans help each other...strangers and friends alike...males and females...Now picture this: A Spartan threesome.
One person behind pushing on the buttocks and one at the top of the other side of the wall.  One long arm grasping for the climber's free arm.  Felt like a split between a superhero action movie and and an epic love story movie where if anyone let go, that climber was doomed, dead, Kaput.  But that climber saw the determination, fear and trust in the person at the top, and heard motivational words of you got this and just a little bit more from behind.  Obstacle accomplished." 

"When I went over the wall after the mud crawl I felt like a wild animal clawing my way over...hanging by a thread...but made it over."

Overall, the race was said to be HOT, muddy, smelly (did they toss horse manure in there?), tough, fun, badass, a band of brotherhood, prideful, and accomplishing.

"I never thought ringing a bell could make me feel so f'n bad ass!"

Us Beez have a variety of things in common.  Our drive, dedication and determination.  TRIPLE D!!  Our high schools.  Our families.  Our kids' schools.  And the fact we like to be prepared, yet, we all prepared for this race a little different than the next.
Some smoked and drank.  Wink Wink. 
And others ran, changed their diet, strength trained, and yes, even did many burpees! 

Whereas some listed motivations as family love, some included the BEEZ!  Others said power, the trifecta medal, ringing a bell, and of course, those bad ass photos! Talking about photos...
I laugh at you Spartans!

This girl is on Fire!
We are Spartans

Monday, June 3, 2013

National Family Play Date Day Fun aboard the Norwegian Breakaway

Play Date-I had mentioned in the last couple of entries-May 10th was the day!  And we were aboard the Norwegian Breakaway! 

When you think of a play date, what comes to mind?  In the old days, it was go to you neighbors house and told your kids "I'll see you at dinner time."  Now it is: I will accompany my child to a stranger's house and I will sit and chat with the mom while the children play together.  But it is never rarely that little man and I have a play date, just him and I.  Well, actually we do play pretend, do obstacle courses, play star wars and power rangers.  But I never make it an appointment on my iPhone.  I never make a point of it.  It just happens-when it can.  Yet everything else I schedule, this is one thing I don't and I should.  It is just important to make that play date with your kid as it is to remember a birthday or go for a mani pedi.  So for now on I vow to make a play date with my man!

However, a scheduled date was made.  On May 10, my family-my sisters, niece, mom, and little man had a play date.  It was National Family Play Date Day, and my niece came up with a scavenger hunt.  Our date was set.  She compiled the list and we were scheduled to run around the boat and locate things like salt and pepper shakers, a picture with a crew person, etc. 
My team, the blue team,  was mom, Allison and me.  Niece's team, the white team, was Dan, Michele, and her. 

You know who we thought was going to win right?

But we were proved wrong!!! 

List in hand and we were off.
We immediately ran up the stairs to get the things on the buffet level, ran back down to the waterfront level to get the remaining things and then back to the room.  Whoever returned first with all things in hand won.

Who do you think we thought was going to win?

Well, the blue team returned first, way ahead of the white team. 


We are accused of cheating but that's subjective because I don't think the rules were clearly stated.  The only rule we heard was you must get all things on the list.  We will leave that challenge for another day but what's fair is fair.  BLUE team won!!!  
Even though we thought the white team would score big!


Check out the Active Family Project for more info on keeping active with the family and locate activities in your area by clicking here!!  Happy Summer Fun!