I know I've been MIA for close to a month now but life has been crazy! I've been in the process of moving from my home in Southern Ontario into my moms home in the Muskokas while she was also moving into a new home. Yes it was crazy chaos. Somehow in all the craziness I found time to train for the Tough Mudder. Coined as 10+ miles of mud, fire, freezing cold water, and electric shocks. Oh and don't forget ski hills....many many ski hills.
The Tough Mudder was absolutely amazing. I had the honor to have my brother as my teammate for this true test of stamina and mental grit. He was nice enough to fly in from out west to help me check this of my bucket list. And check it of I did - completed in 3hrs 42mins.
We ran the course at Mount St Louis, Moonstone. The course was 16km long and don't forget the hills and mud. In order to even get to the starting gate you were required to scale a 6 foot wall - this should of been an indicator to turn tail and run but up and over I went - although not graceful much more graceful then the walls to come. Once in the starting gate we had an amazing MC there to get us pump for what was to come. Together we recited the Mudders Pledge, gave thanks to the Big Mudder watching us and then with a HOO-RAH we were off.
Obstacle 1 was kiss of mud - no big deal here hit the ground and belly crawl under barb wire through the mud oh and watch out for the guys with the giant water hose spraying you as you crawl. Like I said piece of cake!
Obstacle 2 Arctic Enema - one of my most feared. The obstacle sounds simple enough - jump into a dumpster full of water, start the walk across, duck under the barrier, walk to the other end and climb out - nothing to it right? But did I mention said dumpster full of water is also full of ice - giant truck loads of ice. The water was freezing - instant shock when you jump in and you feel all your muscles and organs curl up into the fetal position and abandon you now duck under the barrier - experience a feeling similar to an ice cream headache, keep walking now climb out. Not as easy as it first sounded is it?
Now that your muscles are in shock and clenched tight whats awaiting you around the corner but the first of many, many steep hills climbs. Oh the hills.
Obstacle 3 Berlin Walls - Just up and over the 12 foot high walls - twice. First round of Berlin Walls pretty simple. A little boost from my partner and we where off and running again.
Obstacle 4 - Under water Tunnels - Swim or walk through the man made lake - warmer then the last water bath, under the floating buoys and out the other side.
Obstacle 5 - Cliffhanger - Can't say I remember Cliff Hanger but Tough Mudder website tells me its a steep vertical slippery slope of mud I had to climb - I'm pretty sure this happened repeatedly throughout the day.
Obstacle 6 - Hangin Tough - Swing on the rings across the icy cold water below or in my case one good swing and down into the water below for another swim to the other side.
Obstacle 7 - Mud Mile - Self explanatory a mile of the course completely mud, sticky gooey, lose your shoes mud. Great for the leg muscles that aren't already burning.
Obstacle 8 - Spiders Web - Up and over the cargo net suspended between two trees with only tension at the top. Thanks to the folks keeping tension at the bottom otherwise - yikes!
Obstacle 9 - Trench Warfare - Crawl through dark, narrow underground tunnel . Yes this is great for the claustrophobic. I did make it but I came close to panicking a few times.
Obstacle 10 - Walk the Plank - By far the most mentally difficult for me. I do not like heights - at all nor do I like jumping from heights into water below. I took the 15 foot jump into the water below with some coaxing from my teammate. As I paddle my way back up from the jump - my teammate said I had a look of pure panic and I busted through the water with such speed he thought I was trying to walk on water. I made quick speedy work of the doggy paddle to the other side and had a 5 minute break to collect myself and regroup before I could continue. Talk about mental grit.
Obstacle 11 - Boa Constrictor - Crawl through narrow, tight dark tubes downhill into the water then uphill the other side.
Obstacle 12 - Log Jammin - Up and over down and under the log obstacle course. I learnt that it's easier to roll under then belly crawl - also saves the knees. Wish I'd been given this tip sooner - thanks fellow Mudder
Obstacle 13 - Greased Lightening - A giant slip n slide down a ski hill into muddy water below. Using my Warrior Dash training I did not run and dive. I slid nicely on my backside into the awaiting water.
Obstacle 14 - Funky Monkey - Monkey bars on an incline then a decline oh and they've been greased. I made it about a quarter of the way across before taking yet another swim. There was a lot of swimming for someone who doesn't really swim.
Obstacle 15 - Electric Eel - slide on your belly through a small amount of water and oh did I mention the electric wires hanging down waiting to zap ya. Ya that was fun.
After this we took a little break in Tough Mudder world and climbed up a double black diamond ski hill. Only a km long and about a 60 degree grade. No bigs after 13.5 kms and 5 hills. Except for the cramp that started about half way up, I knew if I stopped it would be worse so I kept trudging upward and onward - I did crawl for a bit but I made it to the top and the view of the valley was amazing.
Obstacle 16 - Berlin Walls - Now the second time around not quite as easy. Your legs are jello at this point from the hills, you're exhausted and your balance well it into hibernation sometime around Arctic Enema. It took a little more work and assistance from fellow mudders but up and over the two walls I went. This time with no pretence of grace - it was all about getting over.
Obstacle 17 Hold You Wood - Carry a log or stump....up a hill...yep that's right a hill and then back down the other side.
Obstacle 18 Everest - The toughest obstacle for me by far. A slippery quarter-pipe you have to run up after scaling 7 hills, completing 17 prior obstacles and running 15km. I literally had nothing left in my by this point - I was exhausted and hungry but I hadn't not completed an obstacle yet and I had to at least try. So off I went at something resembling a spring and up the wall I went I made it to the outstretched hands of fellow Mudders waiting to help pull me up. It was tough I had no strength left to assist in hoisting me the final bit but somehow I got to the top. I scaled Tough Mudders version of Everest.
Now here was where Tough Mudder got mean. As you scaled down the other side of Everest you could see the finish line it appeared to be just around the corner. Out of no where comes a 5th wind - because any competitor knows you cross the line running. So off you go around the corner at a run excited for the finish you look up and theres another F**&^*^& hill. Really?! Not necessary and you feel the that last wind of energy disapate and you dig deep and climb that damn hill, down the other side through the final obstacle - Electroshock Therapy. A wonderful gauntlet of mud, water, and electrical wires. They hurt simple as that but at that point you are exhausted and all you want is to cross so you keep pushing barely noticing the electrical current coursing through your body burst through the other end and across the finish line. Happily accepting you Tough Mudder Orange Headband, t-shirt and beer. All this was completed in 3hrs 42mins.
Congratulations you are now part of an elite group of Tough Mudders. Piece of Cake! An amazing race focused on camaraderie and team work. Without the help of others many obstacle would have been near impossible or at least much, much tougher. For anyone looking for a true challenge I strongly recommend this race.
Me and my brother Aaron: Team Operation Mudder
Always remember "Nothings impossible, the word itself says I'm possible" I proved that to myself this weekend. Until next time happy running!
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