Much like the back story of the movie Fighting with my family, John and his sibs run. There is nothing like a little competition to stir the blood and pump up the egos, add a Spartan and 6 months of planning and you have a 5 sibling head to head, umm cough cough, I mean team.
No really, they do get along great. They grew up close in the physical sense as well as the emotional and now are the kinds of sibs you can count on for a shoulder, an ear, occasionally a buck or two , and a place to sleep when you are in town.
Six months ago they planned on running a Spartan together, as many of them as could that is. Of the 11 sibs 5 could run the race while another 3 could come and support. That’s a count of 8 siblings, friends and that is hard to do when everyone has busy lives and live in different states!
The race date grew closer and closer and the training intensified, or started in some cases…
Finally it was time, planes arrived and couches (and for the lucky few, beds) were shared.
My first impression of this family was an all out brawl in their living room. Arms and legs flying, more than my sheltered life deemed safe. It seemed so fierce and violent but in minutes it all dissolved into laughing and smacking each other on the back for a fight well fought.
Those moments were the times that their bonds were cemented though. The family that fought together, worked together. They stood up for each other and backed each other down when it was all too much. Just the kind of folks you’d want in your corner when life happens.
They ran the race, helped each other over, under and through the obstacles. They bleed together and are proud of their scratches. “Scars are medals for the brave” as one of them said to me. Another said that the bruises reminded her how hard she worked to reach her goal. She earned each one.
They came for a short trip but filled their cups to the brim until next time.
And there WILL be a next time.
After all, their tag line is– If it doesn’t suck, they don’t do it!
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