I did it.  I survived.  Wasn’t sure if it would actually happen, but 4 days ago,  5 friends and I trekked 2 1/2 hours away to embark on the Udder Mud Run in Georgia.

A few weeks ago I had already chosen to back out.  I injured my left leg while training 2 months ago and it simply was no improving.  Willing to run injured, but knowing it wasn’t the wisest choice, I opted instead to allow a friend to take over my registration.

And of course, within three days of finalizing that transfer my leg improved.  Not just improved, but stopped hurting altogether.  No lingering sign of any injury, and yet I was out a race registration.

After all, now I don’t have to worry about any of the obstacles I wouldn’t be able to complete due to PS.  I wouldn’t have to look like a fool or a wimp skipping past the Monkey Bar obstacle as there is no way in this lifetime that I could grip those 36 bars.

Day by day it was gnawing at me…I backed out but I’m fine now.

Until 6 days before I said enough is enough.  Whatever the obstacles that were beyond my ability, I was gonna join my friends and run the race.  So I logged back in and re-registered for the race…and I’m so glad I did.

We finished the 7k course exhausted, legs feeling like jelly and covered in mud from head to toe…and had a blast!!

No one scoffed and the obstacles I couldn’t complete.  No one laughed or mocked.  We ran together, we attempted obstacles together and we had a grand ole time together.  My limitations  were no more an issue that someone else’s lack of upper body strength or lack of balance.

So, maybe, while my hand does make me different, I’m not all that unique.  We ALL have challenges and we ALL have limitations and we ALL have strengths and weaknesses.  My particular challenge isn’t going to change…fingers are not going to sprout from my hand tomorrow, and that can be frustrating.  So my challenge is consistent, but a bum shoulder or a pulled hamstring or a lack of upper body strength — while maybe more temporary and can change over time with training — are just as much a challenge in that instant.

Had I allowed fear to control me, I would have missed out on an UDDERLY awesome day!  So glad I instead opted to take the challenge and enjoy the company.