Dear Kid,

Have you been watching American Ninja Warrior? Probably not.

I could give you a play-by-play, but it would probably sound something like this:

What? Seriously? OMG! How do these people DO this? Humans just aren’t supposed to be able to…WHAT WHAT WHAT? GO! You can do it!

(You don’t have to tell me I’m not cut out to be a play-by-lay commentator.)

I’m so impressed with these athletes. And the women are getting stronger and stronger and going further and further each year. The most amazing part to me is that the competitors all have day jobs. They aren’t professional athletes (OK—a few are professional athletes in other sports—and they tend not to be the ones that go all that far in ANW). But the vast majority are teachers and realtors and doctors and whatnot.

The dedication they have is astounding, and their athleticism is beyond astounding (what is beyond astounding?). This year, the obstacles are more ridiculous than ever. The competitors are having to hold on with both arms (no legs) and then jump over to the next arm hold (still no legs). Do you know how difficult that is??? Crazy.

Just thinking about it makes me want to go lie down for a while.

Love, Mom