Molly Fay's Costa Rican adventure
The week Kelly and I were on "The Morning Blend," co-host Molly Fay was down in Costa Rica running up a volcano, whitewater rafting, ziplining and completely not acting like herself.

"I'm a mom of three," she told me after she returned to Milwaukee this week. "To say this was outside my comfort zone is the understatement of the century."

Molly was competing in a weeklong adventure race in the jungles of Costa Rica that she said completely changed her.

This was NOT some 5K followed by a spa pampering in a tropical resort. This was serious stuff.

"If I would have known what it was all about," she said, "I'm not sure I would have done it."

After hearing about her trip, I am very, very, VERY impressed. And jealous. Now I want to try something like this.

For now, the closest thing I'll get to it is interviewing Molly about her experiences:

What possessed you to do an adventure race in Costa Rica?
When I read the description of the trip I said, "Wow – this is something I would never do." I guess that's why I did it.

How did you prepare?
Not as much as I should have. A few months before the trip I tried to work running into my routine but I was lucky to squeeze in a run 1-2 times a week. I also took anti-malaria drugs.

What was the most difficult activity?
Mentally preparing myself to do things that scared me out of my wits and then pacing myself to survive the entire week in the jungle.

When were you the most scared?
It's a tie. First, standing high above the jungle and forcing myself to jump off a metal platform to do a vertical zipline to the ground (you could call it a free fall). Later, it was when my friend, Tanya, fell out of our raft in the Pacuare River and we were trying to rescue her in the rapids. We failed several times before pulling her back into the raft.

What was the hardest part of the trip?
Getting solid sleep at night.

What was it like to run on a volcano?
It was the most difficult course I've ever run. It was rocky, muddy and dangerous. When we weren't running straight down, we were headed straight up. A girl in our group suffered severe altitude sickness and a lot of people fell along the trails and cramped up. Everybody's ankles and knees took a beating. For some, the first day was their last race of the trip and a few will need surgery when they get home.

Surgery? What happened?!
People did not understand their limits or the conditions and they pushed themselves too far, physically and mentally.

You did the Jeff Galloway-inspired run/walk program, which is also what we followed for the marathon training. How did you like using the run/walk?
One of my best friends, Tanya Hill, was on this trip – she has the best response: "I liked the program; good guidelines make you feel like you’re not on your own."

Will you be able to return to your same old running route now?
I don't run much anymore, so I don't have much desire to get into a regular running routine. Also, nothing here compares to the paths I traveled in Costa Rica and I'm fine with that.

How have you been changed by this?
I'm stronger than I thought. I realized that fear is crippling and sometimes it's more dangerous to be timid and overly cautious than it is to take something on with less restraint – just go for it and attack. After this experience, I intend to live with less fear, live more in the moment, enjoy adventure and recognize the value of trying new things, even things that make me uncomfortable. After visiting Costa Rica, I also have a new sense of appreciation for the comforts in my life and the many luxuries we enjoy in America. I would also like to live more like the Costa Ricans - conserve more and waste less.

What's your biggest piece of advice for something thinking about trying an adventure race for the first time (or someone who thinks they'd NEVER want to try it)?
Don't worry if you think you can't do it – you can. However, I'm not convinced that a trip like this is for everyone.

Anything you'd do differently?
No. I try not to live that way. Especially now.

Are you glad you did it?
Yes.