The conclusion

                                        

                                              
The next day I felt every one of the 16 kilometers I had trekked and all of the obstacles I had conquered. And I loved every minute of it, the aches and pains specific to each battle I had won, either by using my body to work through it, or conquering the demon of self doubt in my head. It truly was a life changing experience. Mike and I packed up and headed out at 9 in the morning, laughing over the fact that there were many eager people getting ready to go through the course that day, that I had claimed a part of for my own the day before. It was a Sunday and the drive home was a not exactly quick 5.5 hours but it was wind down from the day before. I hurt in a good way, felt satisfied in a way that is still with me days later, and could feel how I held myself differently now. How Mike viewed me differently, seeing what it was I could do when I was determined, and knowing that he wanted that same achievement for himself next year. I’ll be back to earn a second headband while he earns his first, the obstacles will be different, the course will be different, but I’m going to be the same warrior that conquered the day.