This past weekend my hubs participated in an event called Rugged Maniac. He registered for it last year and he’s been anxiously anticipating the event for several months now. Last month we got a scare when his boss announced new working hours that were gonna be effective 6 days a week, because the race was set for a Saturday morning and the location is about an hour and a half away from where we live. Thankfully he got permission from his boss & was able to compete in the event.
I wanted to go with him to show support – and to take pics. It’s been a while since I’ve had a whole Saturday to share with him, so I really wanted to be there. Even if it meant I had to wake up at 7am on a Saturday morning!
Since the event was an hour and a half away, hubs stopped at the gas station on our way out to make sure we were good. While he was inside he decided to get me a treat.
Because he’s sweet like that.
He came back to the car with a bag Krispy Kreme donuts. “Are these all for me?” I ask.
“Yep!”
“Babe, you are so sweet, but that’s a lot! I just had breakfast…”
“Well you can eat them for lunch.”
Not a bad idea…
We continue on our way to the race and make it there with plenty of time to spare.
Because that’s life with a military man – always EARLY.
Initially hubs was wearing camo pants and boots because he’s been involved in mud run-like events before and he wanted to be prepared to get super muddy. But once we got there and realized NO ONE was wearing pants or boots, he started to re-think his approach. Luckily he had brought a change of shorts with him and his finger shoes (I don’t actually know what they are called, but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about – if not, it’s ok, you’re not missing out). So because we had time to spare, he was able to run back to the car to change.
While I was waiting for him to return, I made some friends with two girls near the bleachers I was sitting on. We chatted it up and right before he came back they asked, “Why aren’t you running the race?”
“Ha!” I laughed, “I don’t run. You know how running makes most people happy? How it releases endorphins? Well not for me it doesn’t,” I said. “Truly, something is wrong with my endorphin pathway because I get ANGRY when I run. Like really angry!”
“Really?” they skeptically ask as they start to create distance between us.
“Really. But it’s ok, I just stay away from it and I seem to be fine!” I retort as I start searching for my Krispy Kreme bag in my purse to console me.
I’ll admit: I do feel kinda guilty about noshing on Krispy Kreme in the midst of all these active people running the race.
I’ll also admit I don’t feel guilty enough to stop eating…
At least I look like I’m in shape!
By now the race has started. I was able to get a good shot of hubs at the start, before all the dirtiness began. After running up and down hills and crawling through tunnels and scaling a 7 foot wall, he came to these nets that he had to climb and then jump off. I was curious how it would turn out since he doesn’t like heights – he told me later he just did it so fast so he wouldn’t think about it and that’s how he got through. After the net came these log stumps in the water – they reminded me of that show Wipe Out and I desperately wanted them to wobble so I could watch people falling down. I was only blessed to see one, but it was worth it.
It’s wrong, I know. But man it is funny!
After the log stumps the runners disappeared into the woods (to run a 2 mile stint through ankle deep sand and various tire obstacles) before they emerge for the final stretch though a muddy swamp arched with barbed wire. I was so happy to see hubs face come through the woods – he was still smiling for the camera!
Hubs crawls through the mud and emerges ready for action! He sprints the final way, hops over the fire pit and crosses the finish line! I’m so proud of him! The coolest part of it all to me was that he was number 828. Why is that cool, you ask? Because my all time favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28!
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The sheer fact that hubs got the day off to run the race was a testimony to that!
After the race hubs cashed in his coupon for a free beer.
Because apparently beer is one of the best things you can drink after running a race.
I don’t believe it. But as hubs says, “You don’t have to believe it for it to be true.”
Touche.
