No Offseason

This is undoubtedly the longest stretch of time that we will not be running in a mudder.  This is made worse by The Mudder Who Never Was which DC already documented.  There are currently 82 days and counting until our next Tough Mudder event which will lead to this stretch being our offseason.  Since our goal is to run in the "World's Toughest Mudder" our offseason will look quite different.  DC and I have started working with a crossfit coach twice a week which typically leaves me looking a lot like this...

I've also signed up for two triathlons.  The first of which I completed yesterday.  I am not fond of swimming, biking, or running but the combination of the three works for me.  My time was so awful that I wouldn't have even placed in the 60-65 year old category.  The entire race consisted of the phrase "On Your Left" which is the universal saying for "I'm about to pass your slow ass".  Unfortunately, I only muttered the phrase a couple of times, one of which was on my way to the snack table post-race.  These people are in tremendous shape but I wondered (sometimes aloud) during the race whether they would willing run through live wires, jump in ice filled dumpsters, or scale everest all while running 10-12 miles.  My next triathlon is in September so I will be incorporating more swimming and biking into my training.  The running has been a bit off track and that doesn't mean that I've been hitting the trails.  It really means that there has been a lack of focused running on my part.  I know DC is going to help me get that one back on track, on trail, and on target.

Another interesting part of the offseason is an opportunity to return to where this whole adventure started.  We began this journey at Wintergreen in our first ever Tough Mudder.  This time I am crossing over to the Spartan series which will be another first. The Spartan Race is coming to Wintergreen in August and I am showing up.  This time I will be 40 pounds lighter than the first attempt and ready to take on the mountains.  The first race had me convincing myself to move 10 steps at a time.  I would literally count ten steps and take a break.  I'm not sure what the Spartan Race holds or how I will fare.  I know I can at least get up to 20 steps at a time.  It is just another test on this very muddy road that the three of us are on.

That's a quick glimpse into my offseason or lack of an offseason.  Crossfit, two triathlons, and a Spartan Super Race are in my path before we hit the Tri-State Mudder.  The plan for Tri-State is two laps on Saturday followed by one on Sunday.  This was the initial plan for the No Mudder in Va Beach.  The difference with Tri-State is that it will be followed the following weekend with a return to the Mid-Atlantic Mudder.  I'm looking forward to the fine Winchester Italian food, Natural Ice Draft, and maybe even a cameo from Sandy at a laundromat. 

No time to rest and certainly no time for an offseason!  Honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.