My brother did it again. In the spirit of Christmas, he found a new way to get under my skin.
The card he left under the Christmas tree looked innocuous enough. The envelope puffed out a bit, prompting me to silently muse about what kind of gift card may have been stashed in the fold. Starbucks? Best Buy? AmEx? His sly grin should have set off alarm bells in my head.
As soon as I unfolded the paper tucked inside the Hallmark sentiment, I knew I’d been had. The card contained an entry in my name to the Tough Mudder.
Now, I’ve been known to do some crazy things. Over the last 17 months, I’ve competed in 4 mud obstacle races, and I recruited my brother to join me for two of them. They were a lot of fun, but that’s exactly what they were designed to be–FUN. 3-ish miles of mud and madness, with a giant party at the end.
The Tough Mudder is different. This is TWELVE miles of serious business: simulated icebergs, underwater tunnels, electric shock. No way, no how. I have no desire to tackle something this nuts. In fact, when my beloved sibling posed the idea to me a couple of months ago, I responded with a resounding NO. Repeatedly.
He signed me up anyway. Merry Christmas, Tammy.
I’ve been grousing about this for two weeks, since opening that card. The other day at work, a colleague looked at me quizzically and said, You don’t have to do it, you know. Just take the t-shirt and go home.
Wait, what? That thought never occurred to me. My brother threw down the gauntlet and, as anyone with a sibling knows, I have no choice but to pick it up and accept the challenge. And beat him, of course.
I’m not completely innocent here. In his eyes, this is payback for my Christmas gift to him the year before: registration for the Indy Mini half marathon. He didn’t just take the t-shirt, and neither will I. I’m going to face this challenge head on, and when I’ve completed it, I’ll be better for having done it. It’s not about the Tough Mudder itself; it’s about setting a goal and following a plan to achieve it. It’s about discipline, perseverance, and pushing my limits. Oh, and a pinch of sibling rivalry.
Watch out, world; here I come. There’s no limit to what I can do when I set my mind to it.
Just wait till he sees what he’s getting next Christmas.
OMG! I watched the commercial on the website and I’m speechless. Where are you competing? I see there’s one in Mansfield, Ohio that may be the closes to you but it’s in April and that seems awfully soon. If you’re there, NGWA just may bring a cheering section! Good luck Tammy – you can do it!
Thanks, Shelby! We’re doing the Chicago event on 5/18. If you feel like taking a road trip, come on up!
What a great gift idea!! I love it. Simulated icebergs?! Whoa. I’m off now to check out the website. I’m already looking forward to your race report! T.
Wow. You are way more motivated by a challenge than I would be. I totally get the sibling rivalry motivation though, especially after he rose to your challenge last year. Good luck!
Electric shock?!
I know, right?
My word, you’re far braver than I. I’ll be rooting for you!
If brave = unwilling to suffer humiliation at the hands of a younger sibling, then I qualify. If brave = fearless, I’m out. 🙂
There no one else that you can love and hate at the same time other than a sibling! I look forward to reading about the Mudder.
Enjoying your blog.
Thanks, Drew! Hope you’re doing well wherever you’ve landed.