Rewind to the end of last spring semester: Between finals, an internship and keeping up with this magazine, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Caffeine was an ally in my fight against the clock, as 4 a.m. became my normal bedtime. I was constantly on the go, running around to the point where I felt like I was everywhere, yet nowhere all throughout the course of one day.
I was prisoner to routine, bound by strict to-do lists and held down by tasks and deadlines.
Despite my servitude, there were about two hours of every day that belonged to me. Regardless of my mounting work, I carved out these two hours to break from the ball and chain of my hectic schedule and run away from the craziness…literally.
I’m talking about my time spent working out. The miles ran on the treadmill or around Ewing and the weights lifted in the gym were not only ways to build myself up physically, but mentally, as well. Distancing myself from all the stressors gave me room to put back the pieces of my sanity that had unraveled throughout the day.
But my love for physical activity wasn’t enough. I wanted all my hard work to translate into something more — a triathlon or marathon…something!
I prefer a bikini to one-piece swim suits and goggles, and the bike I ride is the same one I picked out back in ’99 for my birthday, so entering a triathlon was ruled out. As for a marathon, mi
les of running just seemed too boring. Enter the Tough Mudder Challenge.
A few of my guy friends had completed the Tough Mudder the previous year, so I had an idea what it was: Run through mud, hurdle through some obstacles, freeze your butt off.
But the more I looked into it, the more the craziness of the competition surfaced, and the more the challenge drew me in. I envisioned myself sprinting through mud, jumping off 15-foot platforms into freezing water, running through fire, crawling through tunnels and under barbed wire. It was a competition for the baddest, the boldest, the wildest — only for those who are willing to sign a death waiver and dare to take on all that is Tough Mudder. Bring it on.
I told myself that as soon as I took my last exam, I would register.
My internship ended and with all final papers submitted, I did it. I filled out some forms, paid the entry fee, and signed the death waiver.
It’s been about five months since I was on the edge about to pull my hair out, overwhelmed by a hectic Spring Semester, and now the competition is only 12 days away. When I think about the Tough Mudder, not only does it make me want to hit the gym in preparation, but it also makes me happy. It’s my personal reminder of the importance to do something fun for yourself every now and then. This goes for every collegiette™ — in the midst of school, exams, papers, work, and anything else life throws at you, take a moment for yourself. Do something fun. Laugh a little. Get your hands dirty…or if you think you’re up to it, get a whole lot more dirty and register for Tough Mudder.