Wanted: Mom Friends Without a Death Wish

I've had a particular group of mom friends for about 10 years.  We have drinks, dinner, watch movies, occasional weekend excursion, you know, girlfriend stuff.  Within the last few years I have noticed that a few of these friends have started presenting new and exciting ways for us to end up in the emergency room.  A leisurely hike became a trip up Half Dome.  A stroll around the track became a 3.5 mile competitive race.  Suddenly sporadic and frankly, bizarre youtube videos started popping into my inbox featuring competitions like "Cheese Rolling" and <shudder> the word "training" has begun to seep into the conversation at an alarming rate.

The newest fascination is with a British Military Special Forces obstacle competition ... Tough Mudder ... touted as "probably the toughest event on the planet".  Huh?  10-12 miles of obstacle courses like: swimming through ice water, climbing through barbed wire and ending with electrocution.  Electrocution.  All in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.  Oh good, a serene view as you limp, wheeze and bleed across the finish line.

I have come to the conclusion that I need new friends.  Ok, I'm only half-joking.  You see, this group is all on the edge of turning 50.  I'm the exception to the rule.  Am I really that naive?  I didn't realize that women suffered mid-life crisis', but apparently they do.  It's the only rational explanation I can come up with as to why any regular run-of-the-mill YMCA exercising, In & Out burger sneaking, suburban mom would want to attempt this competition.  The kids are getting older (you're not getting any younger) and suddenly you're ready for a good old fashion challenge.  Laugh in the face of death.  HaHaHa!  I on the other hand still look both ways when crossing the street. 


 

The clock is ticking to register for the September Tough Mudder.  These competitions sell out quickly.  Will I really register?  The logical Taylor says "No" (and probably with an expletive included for good measure).  <pause>.  9 months to train?  In the end it will probably be an extremely heavy gulp and a "Yes" when the pesky, curious, hates to miss out on the "fun" Taylor overrules.  If it's a "Yes", buy a new black dress or suit and plan to attend a simple yet classy affair ... and if you're bringing flowers, I like them wild.  What a surprise.