what should we train for next? / post tough mudder

Dave asked me the above the very next day. I love his enthusiasm. It's contagious.

We had never trained specifically together until Tough Mudder. The only focused-type training we did leading up to it was running. More running or mileage than either of us has ever done consistently. Every other weekend we sprinted over desert trails, sweating together and soaking our skin in Sedona's sunshine.

We shared an unspoken goal to run the entire mudder. We did. We were pleased with our time and always helped at least one (usually more) mudder-er at each team challenge. I surprised myself occasionally - crossing the gymnastic rings easily and reaching the top of "Everest" unassisted - but most were as awkward as expected: scrambling up hills of mud, flailing from greased crossing bars, wincing through the "electric eel" (shudder)...

I didn't want to feel wrecked afterward. This was my only other "goal". Following it, we certainly felt like we had just run our farthest mileage ever, hauling ourselves over, through, and under obstacles of mud, barbed wire, walls, fire, and ICY water. Our skin is still torn, scratched, and coloured with bruises; the two-hour drive home let stiffness set in. It was nothing the foam roller and lacrosse ball couldn't address though.
Overall, we feel good - not wrecked - just an old ankle sprain threatening to flair up. {{Elevation. Compression with movement.}} These are making all the difference.

We are ready to (find &) attack our next challenge.
I think Dave is looking up more races, and I would love to continue specific training together. Working through a team "race" is empowering and bond strengthening. I'm not about to give up weekends in Sedona either. My gaze is drifting back toward climbing too. I miss road trips, the anticipation of projecting a new route, and falling into bed exhausted from effort, our skin sun-soaked and stained from the rock. I need to know if I have actually hit a plateau or if I simply haven't been working hard enough.

Either way, the key is having a goal in mind.

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