Obstacle # 19

                                        

                                              
This was the obstacle that many feared above all. Obstacle # 19 Electroshock Therapy: Sprint through a field of live wires — some carrying as much as 10,000 volts of electric shock. Watch out for hay bales and deep mud, or you will face-plant into some electrifying mud. So many others were freaking out and hesitating but I just figured, get this shit over with. So I ran into it, not even trying to dodge the wires. I ploughed through, feeling only a faint zap in my back once and thought I had made it clear. And then this one wire NAILED ME in the side of my neck, I could taste the shock sent through me. But even though it hurt and I could felt my muscles seize for a moment, I kept going. I made it through! Mike says that you could not even tell I had been shocked, my face never showed it. Only the red mark on my neck was an indication! 
                              
I crossed the finish line and received my orange headband with a HUGE grin on my face knowing that I had EARNED THAT SUCKER! The photograph snapped a picture of me alone, and one with Juli at my side. Then I picked up my free t shirt and realized I fit into the MEDIUM! (I have never worn a medium, I was always a large or extra large girl, and this is truly a first for me!) They gave me the ‘I am a warrior’ bracelet to support wounded warrior charity and I got to go hug my cheerleaders!
                              
I have to say, it was an amazing feeling to cross that finish line and realize I had done it. I had met each obstacle and never hesitated, I had conquered the ones I thought would stop me and just kept going. There were many who had looked at me at the beginning, doubting I would make it. I helped those people on the course and crossed the finish line with my head held high as some of them couldn’t do themselves. And it occurred to me that not once in the entire day did I doubt that I could do this. I knew I could. I hurt, but I could do this; I was tired, but I could do this. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. And I could even see the looks of some people as I hobbled around with my orange head band on, they saw me, saw how soft I looked and immediately assumed it wasn’t going to be that bad. Those poor bastards, they had no idea what they were in for. I hope they were lucky enough to find the fortitude to push through and finish as well. I had never done anything like this before, but I sure as hell am going to do it again next year, and the one after that and….
                              
I earned a free beer that I never claimed, and as I collapsed onto a hill to shiver in the breeze and try to relax sore muscles, I ate whatever my friends handed to me, knowing I needed to recover. Sadly, by this time Mike still hadn’t eaten either and he had walked 10 kilometers of hills with me and it was taking its toll. His blood sugar was so low he had a migraine and was sick. So instead of staying to bask in the after party and join in the festivities, I bade farewell to Angie and family and took him to the shuttle. The long shuttle back to our cars helped him recover as the food we forced into him started to take effect, the advils and quiet helping as well. By the time we returned to the car, he felt well enough to drive and we set off back to the hotel, drivingly slowly and enjoying the knowledge that there was no more rush, I had done it. Neither one of us felt up to celebrating with the wine Angie had given me but we did go back to the restaurant from the night before and ate the exact same meal, ending not with milkshakes but actual dessert this time. I was starting to lose my endorphin high and my feet were HURTING! At the hotel there were others who had finished their course as well and were planning on all hanging out that night, but I never made it to the party. I managed to shower, nearly killing myself in my attempt to wash my feet clean and then I fell asleep watching, I don’t even remember what, on the tv; and slept a good 12 hours that night.