TLDR: fitness results are real

This past weekend, I ran in a 5k obstacle course race at the local county fair. First time I ever did anything like this. My goal was to finish the course, to not be last, and not get injured. I met all those goals, and now I am planning to do much better next year.

While my wind failed me at the end and I had to walk the last klick, the course included a lot of climbing, slogging though water and mud, pulling up on ropes, etc. Had I not been lifting for the past year, there is no way in hell I could have completed that course. I unplugged 16 months ago. The guy I was before I started hitting the gym would not have made it half way through the course, and might have gotten hurt.

So, what the payoff? Several things. For me, it was the looks I was getting from random chicks, some of whom were with their husbands, as I walked rough the fairgrounds afterwards, covered in mud and sweat. It was a weird combination of revulsion and attraction. Or maybe it was just a runners high, idk. I never played sports in school, so this is all new to me. Also, I was heartened to see how everyone in the race and on the sidelines were so generous in offering encouragement to total strangers who were flagging or suffering cramps, etc. i was tempted to quit at one point because I was exhausted and was getting a cramp in my thigh. But I persisted and was so glad I did. I am sore and stiff today, but I don't care. I am hoping now I will be in a better position to lead my family in a key area: fitness. I was encouraged to see so many moms and dads running the course with their young kids.

Bottom line, if you think you can unplug and be the awesome alpha without a fitness regime that has lifting at its core, you are fooling yourself, in my humble opinion.

Next year, my goal is to finish in under 30 minutes.