Best Coast Bound

I was born and raised in Montana, it will always be home.

That being said, I learned a lot in the San Diego area.


In just a few hours we will be touching down on the best coast.

This, this is going to be amazing.

I've Just Seen A Face

I've just seen a face,
a face I'd never known.

I examined it carefully,
searching for any trace
that it might resemble
my own.

It was the face of someone
I once met.

I've just seen a face,
a face I've never known.

I carefully examined it,
searching for any trace,
that it might resemble my own.

Humbled Beginnings

When you look at me and you don’t see the struggle in my face,

just know that fall down, get up, fall down, climb up, has been my pace.

What little I do know, I confess...

without struggle there is no progress.

When you see me and you don’t see the struggle in my heart...

It’s hard and there isn’t a good place to start.

I’m learning that some things never change, except me, but also me.

The chip on my shoulder propels me to get my feet on the ground,

to overcome that which must be overcome.

It’s been better said by others:

“Fastened securely to my back is the weight of a man in his becoming.”

I know this all too well, its ground into my bones, tattooed on my soul.

I’ve fallen, but am not fallen.

I’ve failed, but failure won’t define me.

This weight I’ve carried my whole life, addicted to its pull...

I feel the reins loosen, a new dawn is on the rise.

My crew has my back, its one for all....

All for one...

I’m sorry isn’t enough to plead for forgiveness,

beg for mercy.

Thank you doesn’t do justice to how honored I feel,

you won’t let me fall...

All for one, and one for all.

Humbled beginnings call me to recognize the poverty in me,

when I look closely at myself it is all that I see,

owning it as my fuel for the journey.

Tough Mudder - Somerset WI 5/20/12

Yesterday at 8:00 a.m. with my brother in-law and a friend, I embarked on completing my first Tough Mudder.  While I had a limited idea of what to expect, everything I thought was soon proven wrong.  It was harder than I imagined it would be, exposing that in my preparation there were several things that I will work harder on next time.

The course required significant running strength, particularly in the form of hill running.  Somewhere along the way before the event I saw someone’s terrain profile map of the course and for whatever reason I thought it was accurate.  Little did I know the course had way more hills than I expected.  I thought my trail running would be sufficient.  Next time I will know that I need to triple these efforts to truly be prepared.  My overall endurance seemed to be sufficient, but my prep next time will focus on more hill running over greater distances.

The course also required more upper body strength than I prepared for.  I focused on getting my running in order, this proved to make other aspects of the course more challenging than I had hoped they would be.  Next time I will ensure that my upper back and shoulder training is extensive.  That being said grip strength and overall arm strength is also at a premium to really be able to attack the course.

Other obstacles you simply cannot prepare for.  The Artic Enema delivers a shock unlike anything.  I felt like I was in the gas chamber trying to breath, while being frozen in place and unable to move.. What a feeling……

The same could be said for the electro-shock therapy.  It was involved in several obstacles and each time I got hit by it, well let’s just say it more than got my attention!

Overall the event itself was more than I had hoped it would be.  It was tough and it was fun.  I can’t wait to do another one.

I sit here bruised and scraped up, knowing that a price was paid to earn that orange headband.  Every moment of our 2 1/2 hours was worth it!

My advice for anyone out there who has registered for a Tough Mudder and is hoping to find out some tips for success in their own quest against the course:

-        Run hills, lots of them over long distances.  My trail running had me going from 4-5 miles consistently with some hills.  I recognize now that this would need to be doubled at minimum to really be able to attack the course.

-        Upper body strength – Pullups, Cleans, Hang Cleans, and shoulder specific work are a must.  Focusing on these exercises will ensure that you have a foundation to not only allow you to attack and punish the obstacles, but will also allow you to help other Mudders.

-        Grip and arm strength – A must for the rings, the monkey bars, and climbing over and through the other obstacles.  Focus on developing good arm strength, not only so you look great on the course, but also so you can attack the obstacles.

-        Overcome Fears – some things you can’t prep for.  The Artic Enema, Electro-Shock, Boa Constrictor, etc.  Breath, relax, and if you are in good shape you can attack your way right through these fears.

-        Core Strength – My core is also sore today, leading me to believe that I should have focused on this more as well.  

-        Don’t read too much.  These are only other people’s opinions and experiences.  Find out what to pay attention to in your preparation, then spend your time preparing, not reading….

-        Have a team.. You don’t want to do this alone!