"Are you ready for a war?" 15.23.14.9.20.

So I fibbed a bit.. this next post is not about Jockey's Ridge it's about Braveheart. Yes you heard me right it is about that 90's movie that every time it is on the TV you get sucked in and you realize 3 hours later that you are still sitting there!

Last Wednesday "The General" Matt Costa announced "Monday is Braveheart day, you show up with some kind of blue on your face." That was it, that was all, no further instruction given. Shortly there after we get an email, all BCPlus teams, show up with your "War Face".  Over the course of the weekend I was asked by more than one, "Is he kidding?" by the end I wanted to just say I don't think Matt Costa kids. So I showed up like this:



Thankfully it wasn't a joke and more and more people fell in line with their beautiful war paint. Thanks to my gorgeous friend Lindsey I also donned a "Kilt" (mens plaid boxers but they did the trick).

I also couldn't just let it go with facepaint and did my nails to match:

Last night as I reflected on what was being asked of us the next day and tried to guess what new and exciting adventure would fall before me, I decided to keep a quote in my head from the movie.

"Every man dies, not every man really lives." ~ William Wallace

I have chosen to live, to REALLY live, to make every moment count (even the moment I have to fall out of line to puke.. yes I did and then I felt better so it was worth it). I caught back up to the group eventually and started doing the ball toss squat exercise, next thing I know ball goes flying by me into the surf and I hear.. "ANN MARIE GO GET THE BALL!!" Oh dear I haven't played this game since I was 4. Off I trot after the ball and as soon as it get to where it is.. WAVE and there the ball goes.. CRAP! (yes I now look like an idiot) BUT WAIT I know what is going to happen next if it goes UP with the surf it MUST come back with the surf so my happy butt trotted up behind it and whalaa right in my hands it came! Woot!

Time to take off down the beach again (did I mention we were doing the running with a 60 foot rope?) I ended up in the back with the rope, my brain has not caught up with my commitment to not be last any longer apparently. Off we trot with me and a hunk of rope. Next stop, pair up in our little groups and it is thingiemajigger and ball toss, then I hear TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF.. QUICKLY OFF! Followed by Ann Marie.. move closer to the front.. Brain.. "HAHAHAH!" Me.." What, who, me??" Matt.. YES NOW GO. (oh boy) I went and was told to NOT fall behind again.. I seriously did the best I could, I know I did the best I could, but I did fall behind again, after repeated trip ups in the surf, and sand that just made my new skin on my foot feel like it was being eaten!

OK ENOUGH ENOUGH I am sure you are sick of the play by play by now so I will stop, here is the highlight reel.

Barefooted to Avalon Pier, in the ocean up to waist, fall down repeatedly, knock poor Kati into a wipe out as she is trying to help ME up, helped Kati up (its a good thing she loves me), rotten foot couldn't handle the surf, run parallel to group running in surf, feel like loser, make it to pier, hear a little story about a dead body that turned out to be a dead body, (think to self forget about foot at least you aren't dead) run down beach holding rope closer to the front, in the ocean swim out 10 strokes (for me it was only twice the 3rd time I got so tangled up in the surf it was a work out just to stand) run back down beach holding ball (in the back again) caught up to rope, did something don't remember what, picked up rope, got back to shoes put on shoes, now at front of the rope only one person in front of me.. woohoo!, run back to White St and maintain my position, start on White St and ask the gentlemen in front of me, if he minded swapping with me for a bit, I just wanted to see what it feels like to be in the front. LET ME TELL YOU IT FELT GREAT!

Thanks Christine Da Mosta for the photo!!!
All in all it was as GREAT morning.. even when we heard "Remember where there are dolphins (pointing to dolphins), there are shark... NOW GET IN THE WATER!!!"

William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... THE FRONT OF THE ROPE! (ok that was modified a bit)

Comments

Lisa said…
Don't ever feel like a loser....you have heart and determination. When you are giving it your all you should feel like the winner you are!

I am personally impressed with the puking and heading off to run again not to mention staying strong with a "tenderfoot".

Keep inspiring us Re!!
Anonymous said…
watch that foot youngin or you will be on injured reserve again!

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