The final curtain...

It's over. That's that. The end of challenger. I did and I completed it and I've lived to tell the tale. And... it was the most FANTASTIC experience of my life! I feel such an overwhelming sense of achievement! Especially when there were people who mocked me and doubted me and have made me feel that I was not really capable of completing the whole thing. The terror I felt on the first night was unbelievable. I was so terrified of letting the team down. And then miraculously, I was running like Forrest Gump - until I went over on my ankle! I loved every single thing about it - the pain, the mud, the thorns, the falling over (in my case, constantly!), the SHEER JOY of finishing! And it helped me cross so many, many, many hurdles. Physically, mentally, emotionally.
And let me tell you about the people I did this with.
They were some of the fittest, nicest and most beautiful people I have ever, EVER had the pleasure of spending time with. And when I say beautiful, I don't just mean cute but I'm talking about their personalities. I have made some wonderful "lifer" friends here. Lifer = friends that I would consider having for life. The incredible support and confidence that they have given me, the mentoring in some cases (thank you so much Emma), making me laugh when I was on the verge of stressing (wasn't going to forget mentioning you guys (Lexxi and cuzin Daryl!), the laid-backness (is that a word?!), reassurance and humour of experience (how could I not mention you George!) prior to the event telling me that it's not too bad... And of course Vix, Coco and Cleo for helping to sort my head out (ish!). I have had a smile on my face (well more than usual) for the past three days because dammit, I am just so damn proud! And thank you God for such great friends because they have been so encouraging... which is kind of a little more than some "family" have been... but enough of that. My brothers and sister and mom have been sending me messages of support and congratulations and pride all week and I just have to well up when I think about what a great support network I have. How lucky am I?!
So what's next?
Now I can focus on taking care of business. I am going to create a to do list replete with time lines and everything - yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am the original anal retentive - and post it here so I can make sure that I follow the damn thing to THE LETTER! And, if I'm still here at this point next year, I am definitely going to do Challenger again. I have to admit though that I would rather not be here next year. I'd rather be where I have a goal to being.
Onto my next blog of todo lists...