Taking place at the end of January, often in freezing winter conditions, the Tough Guy race is staged over a course of between seven and eight miles (about 12 kilometres). It consists of a cross-country run followed by an assault course. The organizers claim that running the course involves risking barbed wire, cuts, scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia, acrophobia, claustrophobia, electric shocks, sprains, twists, joint dislocation and broken bones.-Wikipedia ooh What fun! Afterward stab me in the eye with a hot fork. So call me a wuss (A person regarded as weak or timid and especially as unmanly). If any of my aqauintances decide to enter this hell spawned adventure next year, be sure I will be rooting for you from thousands of miles away as I crawl into my snuggie with a cup of cocoa and a good book.
Tag, you made me think this morning, even before coffee. This certainly is not an event I'd engage in. I'm not big on cuts, scrapes, burns, electric shock or any of the other perks offered to participants. But I have to confess to a certain fascination for watching nut jobs pursuing what challenges them. I laugh at myself often, thinking of what you called my "marching". Why would anyone do what I do? I think of the cyclist who goes after goals that seem completely impossible ~ crazed, maybe. What drives him? Nevertheless, it's a beautiful thing to watch a passion play.
ReplyDeleteIs that what it is, a passion play? I have seldom pushed myself beyond comfortability if not required by circumstance or authority. I don't get those who do. My failing not their's. All of my life parents, teachers, coaches and mentors chided me about living up to my potential in whatever field of endeavor at hand. All I've wanted to do is sit quietly and read a book. That was and mostly is my over-riding ambition; my passion if you will. I have been fine with that but it pisses off the people around me who think I'm capable of much more. They don't get me.
ReplyDeleteTag, I read this last night but I had to think about what you said and how I'd reply. Yes, I think those things are passion plays. I do know the actual definition of a passion play, but these things are also trials and suffering and challenges FOR A PURPOSE, TO ACHIEVE A GOAL that (hopefully) don't end up in death.
ReplyDeleteThose who are driven (I am one) push and push and push the envelope. We tend, however, to think everyone else should be equally as driven. I was feeling tender for you because your passion is aimed at sitting with a book and others think you should be doing something else, something "more". Unless you are an utter slacker, who has the right to try to push you in any other way than the way you want to go? And you already stated, above, "I have been fine with that . . . "
I hounded Amber about her schoolwork. I'd be ashamed to tell some of it, for fear someone would call Child Protective Services. All done while wearing velvet gloves, of course. She is brilliant and quite advanced in her education. After my divorce, I had a wave of remorse about riding my child so hard and I apologized to her for it. She laughed! She said she is so confident about being able to succeed at any assignment that nothing can shake her. Instead of resenting me, she's almost grateful for it. I'm inclined to think she was intended to be a "driven", too.
By the way, David is another person who is fascinated by the "drivens". He questions me closely and often about my walking or my extreme exploits in the desert. He wants to know about the Badger's training and races. He openly admits it picks up his pulse to watch a nut job going for it.
i have to count myself among the drivens, with intermittent bouts of "thanks, i'll sit here and watch." i've run marathons, gone through long, intensive yoga trainings, pushed myself when a nap would have made more sense. why? i like to see what the limits are, where my thinking shuts down possibilities. it's similar to what drives me to ask all the spiritual consciousness questions.
ReplyDeleteand there is nothing inherently better or worse in doing this. i just don't know any other way!
There's always another side to the coin as far I know. After my reply to you Leslie I got to thinking about the times in my life when I was driven; when I wanted to succeed beyond my dreams and did what it took to make it happen. maybe I was looking at a half empty cup.
ReplyDeleteWe're all fluid. Sometimes I'm a road toad, but infrequently and not for a sustained period.
ReplyDeleteHey, Knave, if you see this soon, I need your help over at my place, please.