I finished the Super Spartan Virginia race. Veterans of other similar contests said this was the most insanely grueling course they'd ever seen. There was very little running involved, because the only flat areas were near the obstacle challenges. Everything else was either long hikes up ~30 degree slopes or scaling mud-slicked rocks/woods, alternating with trying not die by impalement descending similar terrain or 45-degree slopes. Sometimes carrying logs around with you, etc. All of my limbs are currently covered in lacerations and contusions. (I'm not giving my precise finishing time for anonymity reasons, but I was in the middle of the pack.)
This was not quite the most psychologically difficult thing I've ever done, but it was by far the most physically challenging thing I've ever done. I got through this by having the self-that-experiences maintain the mantra that the self-that-remembers was going to think this was awesome the next day (a correct prediction).
But if you want to hear about true inspiration and motivation -- let me take a moment to salute the Wounded Warrior team, whose intact members completed this race in gas masks while taking turns carrying their triple-amputee comrade on their back.
(Sorry for bragging twice in one month, but this puts my previous accomplishment to shame.)
In an attempt to encourage more people to actually do awesome things (a la instrumental rationality), I am proposing a new monthly thread (can be changed to bi-weekly, should that be demanded). Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to comment on this thread explaining the most awesome thing you've done this month. You may be as blatantly proud of you self as you feel. You may unabashedly consider yourself the coolest freaking person ever because of that awesome thing you're dying to tell everyone about. This is the place to do just that.
Remember, however, that this isn't any kind of progress thread. Nor is it any kind of proposal thread.This thread is solely for people to talk about the awesomest thing they've done all month. not will do. not are working on. have already done. This is to cultivate an environment of object level productivity rather than meta-productivity methods.
So, what's the coolest thing you've done this month?