Did Someone Say 20-kilometer Hike?

Producers are always pushing out new content for my TV viewing pleasure.  Although I spent months watching new-to-me shows, I did not ever reach the point that I was out of shows to watch.  Just the other day, a new show popped up on my screen.  The trailer pulled me in.  I had to see more.

The show is all about teams from around the world competing to complete an 11-day eco challenge.  What is eco-challenge you say?  Glad you asked.  I had never heard of it before.  An eco-challenge is a race that combines water, bike, and foot racing over hundreds of miles.  I think the show that I am watching has them traveling over 300 miles using those methods in the span of 11 days.  Apparently, people have been participating in these types of things for years.  Elite athletes clamored for a chance to win one of these challenges.

The interesting thing about the challenge is that it really focuses on the entire team.  If someone on your team gets sick or injured and cannot complete the race, the entire team loses.  You cannot leave a man behind.  Which leads to some interesting dynamics and decisions on day one.  In an effort to remain at the front of the pack, one team pushes really hard while rowing on the ocean.  When they reach the island, one member of their team is overheated.  He’s throwing up sick.

The captain of the team must take control and decide what their next move will be.  They have a 20-kilometer hike around this island.  He ultimately decides to tie a rope around their over-heated teammates waist and attach it to himself.  The over-heated teammate has to walk but the rope pulls him along at a much faster pace than he would walk on his own.  Before they begin, the captain lets him know that this will only work if he is willing to be helped.  The man consents and each member of the team switches out the responsibility as they travel around the island.

Now, I have not completed this show but man.  That is serious dedication.  They have trained for this and do not want to give up on the first day.  Wouldn’t it be great if we all had that mindset?  If the entire human race believed that we need each other to survive?  If we did not consider it a victory if everyone didn’t cross over together?  I’m hopeful that I will at least be part of a community that takes these values and implements them.

Ya’ll know I am doing good to still be participating in my 50-mile challenge for the month of August.  Most days it takes everything in me not to cancel my workout.  And then, I saw these folks.  Ooooooh weeee.  I will take my short walks ANY DAY of the week.  Actually, I need to be leaving to do that now so l’m out.  Happy Wednesday!  Try to pull someone along that needs a little boost today.  #wepreach