Are you a “Tough Mudder”?

Ever wonder what it feels like to have a really long mud bath (complete with cow poo smell)? Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be groped, man-handled, pushed and pulled by friends as well as complete strangers?  Have you ever thought about how much mud fits underneath your toes nails?  If so, then you should try doing the Tough Mudder. You will learn the answers to these questions and so many more. You also learn about what scares you, and what makes you stronger. You will make new friends, and have some incredible stories to tell.

What is the “Tough Mudder” you ask?  It is a 18-20 km off-road obstacle course. There is a lot of mud and 20-25 challenging obstacles along the way.The idea behind the course is not to finish in a certain time, but rather to just finish it and complete it as a team as you will need help from your fellow mudders to complete the course.

Some the obstacle highlights were the Kiss of Mud x 2 (crawling under barbed wire in mud), Artic Enimea (ice bath), Berlin Walls x 2 (12 and 14 ft walls), Boa Constrictor (pipe crawls), Dirty Ballerina (crawling, leaping and swimming through mud pits), Electric Eel (belly crawl with electric shock), Funky Monkey (sloped monkey bars with an ice bath if you drop into the water below), Hold Your Wood (carry a rather large and awkward piece of wood around a circuit), Log Bog (over and under a series of log gates), Mud Mile (a very long section of deep, THICK mud), Walk the Plank (a 15 ft jump a ledge into the river), Everest (14ft half pipe wall to summit), and Electric Shock Therapy (run with an electric shock).

Crossfit Ignite Sydney recently fielded a team of 23 brave, eager, and possibly slightly nervous people to participate in the Tough Mudder on Sunday 23 Sept 2012. Five of the faster runners went in their own group to really give the course their best effort, and finished the course in times ranging from 3-4 hrs. The other 18 Ignite mudders stuck together as they battled their way through the mud, electricity, ice baths and their fears. This “fun group”, as was dubbed by the participants, really wanted to fully enjoy the whole event, soak up the mud and fun, and really support each other through the event, and thus spent over 5 ½ hrs on the course. There were also several other Ignitians who completed the course with their own group of friends.

At the end of the day, everyone finished and more importantly, everyone had a wonderful time. Obstacles and fears were conquered, new friendships were made, limits were tested, and everyone walked away feeling they had really accomplished something.

David said,
“Being part of a team for this challenge made it so much more enjoyable. Getting to know fellow ‘Ignitians’ was also great as we are often doing solo programs in the gym without a lot of interaction.” “How many trenches of mud, as thick as cement, could they have created in which to get stuck? Far too many! This was the most challenging part of the course from my perspective but satisfying to complete.”

Mac said, “This has been the craziest and the most physically challenging thing I have ever done in my life. I believe we all had lots of fun and everybody enjoyed every bit of that muddy adventure enriched by electric shocks, and despite all the bruises, scratches and sore muscles I’m definitely up for another Tough Mudder next year!”

Bryan said, “I really enjoyed working with everyone on the Crossfit Ignite team to ensure we all got through course. It was nice to see a few people conquer some fears and complete what was a grueling course.”

Sarah said, “Probably the thing i will take out from the whole day is how determined we all are,  and i do think we definitely bonded over the experience with lots of support for each other. My favourite mental image of the day was waiting for Alex on the berlin walls and just seeing the very top of his gorgeous swimming cap pop up, hilarious!”

Leigh said, “Overcoming fears (the Arctic Enema and the 3m jump were particular challenges for me). I was nervous, but knowing there were so many of us, I could get over those nerves.”

Catherine had this to say, “I had underestimated the amount of mud that was on the course but what struck me throughout the day was the team work from the “Ignite train” and from complete strangers.“

Quotes from the day,

“Is it better if i go down like this?” – Dom to Penny
“I am just recovering from that enema earlier” – Scott to everyone
“I feel like a crocodile” – Leigh
“I think I’m getting Trench foot” – Sarah

Other Ignitians not on the team

Julien, participated in Tough Mudder with his partner and 2 friends. “It was a great personal challenge and a fun time between friends. The 20km are not the hardest to achieve but,  it is really fun to play in the mud!”

Anthony said, “I have never entered in any mud runs or obstacle courses before. In the lead up to Tough Mudder I was scared and not sure what to expect. I signed up with a team of 7 people from my work. The course was challenging and teamwork was essential. There was so much mud of every type imaginable. I had the most fun I have had in years. I have already signed up for the next Sydney Tough Mudder in February 2013.”

I would like to congratulate all those who took part of the tough mudder whether you were on the Ignite team or another team. You all accomplished something excellent! What a great day Tough Mudders!

The next Tough Mudder in Sydney is in Feb 2013. If you would like to take the challenge with Team Ignite email me at scott@ignitehealth.com.au.