Music Monday

Got three this week

Hope that made you smile :)

Run The Spartan Sprint At A Discount!

I just caught wind that a deal site is offering 50% off registration for the Spartan Sprint race in Austin / Burnet Texas on May 20th, 2012. I am super excited about the Spartan Sprint coming up next month. I've done some other mud races but from what I hear the Spartan series is the best.

Click here to go to the deal site and get registration for $39.. normally a hundred bucks.
Do note there is another $12 fee and parking. It's lame, I know, but this deal still works out to be quite a bit cheaper.

If you didn't catch this deal in time, you can still use coupon/promotion code "austin" to receive $15 off registration. I'll keep this post updated with more promo codes as I come across them.

From the Spartan Race website:

Spartan Sprints are muddy 3+ MILES / 15+ OBSTACLES course races. The challenging sprint races are a great way to get off your couch and start living. Beginners to hardcore warriors, and marathon runners alike come out to test themselves on the insane obstacles! This 5k race is comprised of mud runs, obstacles, trail racing, physical challenges and mental challenges all in a 3+ race. 99.9% of all people who try this event will finish, and 100% will have their thirst for mud fully satisfied!

Thanks to Molala for setting up this deal!

Music Monday

Another fantastic hit from Christina Perri. This one is called A Thousand Years.

Her brother (Nick Perri) was the lead guitarist for Shinedown's Sound of Madness album - one of my favorites. I saw them play once in 2008 and really enjoyed the show. He no longer works with Shindown :( However, he has a new band that I have been keeping an eye on. Check them out - Sinai.

Muddy Weekend

Run The Jail Break was a ton of fun. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. The Warrior Dash is the only similar in nature 5k I've ever run before and it left me high expectations of the other lesser-known mud runs. They had two really fun slides. One was a 180-foot long inflatable slide and the other a tarp-on-hillside slide. However, the second was soaped up so it was equally as fun!

I like to dive into things.

I also took Chris Hyde's class on natural camouflage and movement this weekend. Chris teaches many classes on wilderness survival and primitive skills (think Native American). I've taken a few before and really enjoyed them. This came his movement, stalking, and camouflage class which took it to another level. All I can say is wow - this class was fantastic. First we played many games that taught us great lessons on natural movement (being aware of surroundings, being quite and observing). These games were largely successful and tremendously fun. Then came the camouflage, I got to get dirty for a second time this weekend! After we got camo'd up in natural clays and ashes, we played more games were we went and hit (with less cover, and more blending in with our surondings).

Blending in with your environment is the new look

You can't see much from the small picture (below), but this is me hiding feet off a trail. I'm only about 50% covered by sticks and grasses. The natural camouflage I have painted on my body and clothes really helps to break my body pattern up. You could easily find me if you're looking, but if you're just walking down the trail minding your own business you won't know a thing. As with the case for many joggers and their dogs that day. Camouflage is a essential skill for wilderness survival. When you don't stick out like a sore thumb you can get near animals and they will come closer to you.

Garden elf

Then there was the last segment of Chris's class. Something that blew my mind and totally amazed me. I've chosen not to talk about it here because I don't want to spoil the surprise for any of you that may take his class someday. (This means his class comes highly recommended). The last exercise was definitely not for the faint of heart though. It really depends on you, and what you want to get out of wilderness survival classes. For me, it is all about personal growth.

I believe technology and modern living is great... No, it is fantastic. What a great era we live in today. However, on that note, I feel it's important to disconnect every once in a while and get your feet dirty. It's about personal development. No -- you do not have to jump in the river and take a bite out of a trout like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Instead, just simply quiet your mind. Look up and enjoy the birds. Watch them collect supplies for their nests. Observe an ant carrying a giant leaf back to its home. Watch a fish stalk it's prey, an unaware dragonfly going down for a drink. Live in the moment and enjoy it.

I never thought in a million years I'd be a dorky bird watcher someday. :)
If you had a choice, which century would you choose to live in?

Disclaimer: Watching an ant for more than 2 minutes will make it incredibly difficult to smash it if you had to later.