Why I Challenge Myself

I did it.

I didn't even hesitate above the "purchase" button because I knew if I did, I wouldn't go through with it. And now I'm terrified!

I signed up to run the New England Spartan Race in August. For those of you who have never heard of it, I'll introduce it with a few pictures.

Basically it's a military-like race over three to four miles of rough terrain, which includes over twenty obstacles. If you screw up on any of the challenges, they make you do 30 burpees. And if any of you know what burpees are, you will know that this exercise was invented in hell by the devil himself.

Believe me when I say that I am scared out of my mind mainly because this is what I feel like: 

I am so out of shape. Not to mention I'm terrified to see how the heat will affect me since I'm an awesome MSer now. 

So why did I do it?

To see if I can. I always write about tough girl characters because that's what I want to become. Now's my chance. Time to feel the pain.

Are there any hard challenges you deliberately put yourself through?

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Y & Z - "You can't help her, Dr. Zahl"

I left my sister behind, standing alone in the forest, calling my name. I'll be right back, I said, though the words never left my mouth. My arm was still bleeding from the excessive scratching.

I ran fast, the pain in my ankle gone, until I reached the abandoned beach village. Moonlight illuminated their ruined state. I darted into the closest one, careful to avoid the partially collapsed porch roof. There was something familiar about the home, but I couldn't place why.

It was dark inside. I fumbled around, tripping over who knew what in the dark. What I needed was some lotion. Something to calm the itch.

I searched every draw I could find in both the kitchen and bathroom but found nothing but layers of dust and mouse droppings. I was about to leave and search another home, when a door creaked open in front of me. A draft from the basement must've blown it open.

I peeked into the stairwell. 

"You don't have to go down there."

I turned around. The man was standing a few feet away, wearing his doctor's coat. "I have to," I said. "I need to stop the itch."

"But you can stop it."

"Maybe if I had some lotion--"

"Your sister's waiting for you. Your family. Leave this place."

"I can't. Not yet." I stepped onto the first stair.

"You can't keep doing this."

I glanced at him over my shoulder. The woman with the torn cuticles was with him. She was wearing a nurse's uniform. "I'm not doing anything wrong," I said. "I just want to stop the itch."

"You can't help her, Dr. Zahl," the woman said.

I ignored her and hurried down the stairs to search for the lotion. The basement was empty, all except for a single chair and a box in the corner. I sat on the chair, feeling sad and tired.

But then I remembered my purpose. I was here for my family, to complete the deal with the People.

And so I will wait...

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P.S. I am so freaking glad the A to Z challenge is over!!!!! Thanks to everyone who followed this story. I hoped it provided a little "creep" to your lives.

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X - Xerotic skin

I left the horrible amusement park behind, not glancing back once. I just wanted to go home.

The full moon lit up the broken trail, but it wasn't long before the path disappeared altogether. Did I take a wrong turn?

Surrounding me were old, gnarly trees, suffocating the small meadow in which I stood. Air moved slowly in and out of my lungs.  I was alone.

But not for long. I would find my family.

A burning sensation stung my arm. I looked down, surprised to see that I was scratching it. The skin was red and parts of it were bleeding.

"Rachel?"

Just in front of me stood my sister. Her long dark hair contrasted with the white gown she was wearing.

"My skin, Liane. I can't stop scratching."  The itch was so terrible I didn't have time to wonder what she was doing in this place with me.

"It's Xerotic skin. You need to stop scratching."

"I can't."

"Look at me, Rachel."

I kept scratching but did as she asked.

"You have to stop and come with me."

I barely heard her.

"Please. We're all waiting for you."  She extended her hand.

I dug deeper into my skin, determined to stop the itch. A drop of blood fell to the ground. Maybe there was something in one of the abandoned homes that could help me.

"Don't go back," Liane said, her face shadowed by tree branches. "Come with me. I'll help you."

I stepped away from her. "I'll only be a second."  If I could only stop this itch! 

"I don't know how much longer I can stay."

"I'll hurry. Just wait right here." I turned around and rushed back the way I had come.

All I could think about was the itch. Not the man, Edgar, the twins or clowns. Not even the woman with the torn cuticles. I just had to go back.

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