TOUGH LOVE FOR MUD

First and foremost, I am not what one would call a runner. After completing the Warrior Dash, I got a little muddy and saw the Tough Mudder coming up on the calendar in my favorite city and decided to sign up. It was originally advertised as 10 miles and a bunch of obstacles. To some people, this is just another event that adults pay for so they can have an excuse to get dirty. To others, it is a big challenge. To me, it was the BIGGEST challenge yet.

Oh dear. I had to sign up! There was no turning back. There was no wussing out of this one.

Last Saturday, event day, arrived with 80+ degree weather, and cloudy skies (thank goodness). You couldn’t have asked for a better day. But the Tough Mudder crew lied – 12 miles, not 10, but that doesn’t matter. I was still going to do it. I was pumped up and ready to go. The event was held at a motorcross complex just outside of Austin in a small town called Paige. That means, lots of hills, lots of dirt, and with water… lots of mud. Arriving there, the Tough Mudder crew was great! Very organized. It only took 5 minutes to get our packets, 5 minutes to put our stuff up and get in line. There is no try, only do. I survived the Warrior Dash, I’ll get through Tough Mudder!

Before I knew it, I was repeating the Tough Mudder pledge and counting down the seconds till 'GO'.

As a Tough Mudder I pledge that…

• I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
• I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
• I do not whine – kids whine. (my favorite)
• I help my fellow Mudders complete the course.
• I overcome all fears.

Aaaaaaand off we go!

We all started running together, some sprinting, some taking it easy, and me… keeping a nice steady pace so I’ll make it till the end. Haha. 

The first obstacle was a mud crawl under barbed wire only 8 inches off the ground. That was followed by a hay obstacle. Nothing too exciting. The following obstacle was a small plot, about 30 feet by 5 feet, full of water, with an ice truck parked next to it – filling it with ice! One jump, and yes, instantly cold. My body was in shock, especially when I submerged in it completely to swim under a log. Climbed out through the mud, and off we went. Boy that was cold, wow.

After shocking the crap out of my body and having zero visibility for about 0.5 miles, I somehow arrived to the next obstacle...the 15 foot drop off into a pond followed by a swim back out of dead fish lake. The following obstacles: crawling through a series of pipes, 15′ up a wet, muddy wall and under the low cargo nets - FUN! The amount of team work amazed me. Even though I ran with just one friend, it felt like everyone on that course was on my team! 

Each time after “oh, is that all you got tough mudder?” I was surprised by an even more ridiculous challenge. And the signs, well, they didn't make it easier! They got more sarcastic by the mile! One actually said something along the lines of: "You will probably break your ankle at this next obstacle, sorry" - Seriously??? WOW!

Halfway through, just after mile 6, I found out the score to the game. And there goes second wind. After getting over the half pipe, I kindly asked for time. When I found out that 7.5 miles and 16 obstacles only took me roughly 2 hours, I got 3rd wind! :) Mud mile and log carry were NOTHING to me at this point. However, the toe pain (stabbed my toe at the half pipe) started creeping up right around mile 9.5. At that point, walking alone hurt. I wasn't even considering running anymore. Last Berlin Wall finished me. I was beat, limping towards, what looked like a finish line. There they were, the sooner fans, cheering me on. Applauding, shaking hands and screaming out the current score! I ran! I don't know how but I ran the last 0.5 miles. Something about the almost-there feeling and the Longhorn loss excitement, numbed my pain! And there it was, the 'shocking' finish line. I got shocked once. Not too bad. Final steps and DONE! The finish was magnificent. Best feeling I have ever felt before. Words of wisdom: sign up for a race. You won't regret it!

On a final note about those silly five finger shoes – I will be wearing those next time around.