Mud Anyone?

I know I’m tough, but am I tough enough to take on the Tough Guy Tough Gal Mud Challenge in Rotorua? When I first arrived in New Zealand, I was told I absolutely MUST do the mud challenge; it’s a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn’t want to miss. So I got really excited and hyped up about it, however, due to my bad habit of procrastination, by the time I got around to registering for the race, it was full. I was so disappointed, but through friends of friends I was able to take someone else’s spot. “Stuart” is now my racing name! My friend Kerry had the same problem but luckily, at the last minute, we overheard a guy say he couldn’t compete due to some injuries. So Kerry took his spot and became “Campbell.”

Some of the more hard core mud challengers did the 10 km race, but I opted for the “social” 5 km challenge. I'm glad I did, I was completely knackered by the time I finished. The thought of another round in the mud was not appealing.They mean it when they say mud challenge. It was not just muddy water we had to go through, it was waist high actual mud! We had to duck tape our shoes on so they wouldn’t get sucked off! I also climbed rope ladders, crawled on my hands and knees under barbed wire, maneuvered through tires, jumped over fences, crossed swaying bridges and slid down a mud slide. If that is anything like boot camp, I’m glad I decided against joining the army. But I can now tell my grandchildren I completed the Tough Guy Tough Gal Challenge when I was young and crazy!

Christchurch

When I got the opportunity to attend a conference in Christchurch, I jumped at the chance to see a part of the South Island. I decided to make sure I would see everything I could during the three day course and over the weekend. But I didn’t’ plan on getting sick. By the time the weekend rolled around I didn’t even feel like going to see the famous art center or riding the tram around the city, which Lonely Planet recommended. I did make it out to see Akeroa. This is a French village about an hour away from the city. It’s definitely picturesque and worth the drive. I looked around the charming shops, ate some fish and chips on the harbor and then went back and crashed in my hotel room for the rest of the weekend. I’ll have to go back when I actually feel like getting out of bed. Despite the thrill of being in a big city again, I was happy to get back to the little familiar towns of Napier and Hastings.