This year, I stood at the starting line of the Aroostook Dirty 30 and stared through a skull mask at 9 individuals toting life preservers and small packs. These "Dirties" had been training all year to run 30 miles of trails, roads, and seemingly never-ending challenges.
There was nervous laughter and an overwhelming sense of dread in the air as myself and the others in the Torture Crew eyed them in silence.
1 Dirty had finished last year.
1 was just a teenager.
4 had run a marathon before, 5 had not.
Throughout the course of the day, the athletes were put through the ringer with calisthenics, swimming, running, and mental torture.
I remember standing from afar and looking down on the 1st mile marker in the predawn darkness. All 9 participants were standing by a river, encircled by our Torture Crew, getting yelled at while they did pushups and burpees. I recall thinking,"there is no way in the hell Navy Seal training is harder than this."
The event proceeded to go downhill from there, with every mile worse than the next.
As the day grew longer, and Dirties began to drop like flies, I became more and more awe-inspired by the human spirit and determination to finish a goal by any means necessary. The athletes were dog tired.
As 2012 approaches, resolutions will be made and broken, but one thing will be guaranteed.
A challenge waits for you.
By the numbers, there are 30 miles of Aroostook County trails, uncountable challenges, curse words, and about 10 people who spend all year looking forward making your life suck for 8 hours.
You can't train for the Aroostook Dirty 30. You don't know the course, and you don't know what we have in store for you.
You can only step out the door every day and do your best, and hope that on September 22, 2012, you have the mental goods to persevere.
Happy New Year from the Aroostook Dirty 30!
