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How Tough are You?

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I am a glutton for punishment, there is no doubt about it.    If it involves running, and I’m likely to injure myself, for some reason I’m always the first to say “YES! Let’s go!”  *insert eyeball roll…at myself…here*

So when my new running friends here in New Hampshire invited me to be a part of their Tough Mudder team, I didn’t even think twice before saying yes.   And then I remembered the live electric wires. And shots of hot sauce rumored to be the mystery obstacle at one race. And whatever the heck this nonsense is:

Ice cube jello wrestling? I’m really not sure. It looks horrible.  I think I’m terrified.

I seriously can’t wait!

So you may have heard of other mud runs. It seems over the last few years the mud run/obstacle course insanity has taken over.  Apparently, just “running” is no longer enough for us endurance freaks.  There are plenty of GOOD mud runs, and FUN ones out there for all ages and abilities. But Tough Mudder is rumored to be, well, umm… tough.  Not something you just show up to on a whim.  A grueling 10-12 mile trail run with over 20 military-style obstacles (rumor has it that US Marine Corps participants say that the Tough Mudder is just as hard, if not harder, than USMC basic training).  Don’t believe me? Check out these pictures:

Warrior Dash doesn’t make you outrun T-Rex…

10,000 volts of live electric wires anyone?

And because we are racing in Vermont…..snow
Wanna hear more?  Here are some Tough Mudder stats for you:

• Designed by British Special Forces, Tough Mudder tests strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Tough Mudder believes marathon running is boring and would rather test your all-around mettle than your ability to run in a straight line. (Disagree with the marathon being boring, TM friends, but I’ll humor you, for this chaos DOES look sickly fun)

• Tough Mudder is not a race, but a challenge. Participants are not timed on the course. The event cannot be completed alone – it requires teamwork and the help of other participants.

• 80% of participants complete the course as part of a team.

• On average, only 78% of participants finish the course.

• Average finishing time is 2.5 hours, with the fastest finishing at 1.5 hours.

• In 2010, Tough Mudder held three events. In 2011 it will hold 14 events and in 2012, will expand internationally, holding a total of 27 events across the US, Canada, UK and Australia.

Sound like a fun time yet?  In addition to the goal of aiming to replace the Ironman as the ultimate endurance event on the planet (really? Can you even compare the two?  Maybe I can sucker Macca onto my team, and he can let us know) , Tough Mudder has raised close to 3 MILLION dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project.  I love a race with a bigger purpose behind it!

Yesterday marked 9 weeks until Tough Mudder New England in Mt Snow VT.   My team and I met for our first practice.  We ran 4 miles of trails, on the snow, first mile? Straight uphill.  It was a fun challenge for sure, but I think next time we may need to randomly position some people in the woods to pelt ice cubes and water balloons at our heads as we intermittently stop the run to climb trees.  Just an idea.

This race is going to be ridiculous. I can’t wait.  Are you in?

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  1. I’d love to be “IN”, but with the unlikeliness that my slipped disc in my neck will heal in time for proper training, sadly it appears I will be “OUT” this time around. Seriously disappointed. I am attempting to make up for my disappointment with some smaller versions such as Rugged Maniac.

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  6. My brother and I are planning on doing the Austin race in October. He’s an Army Ranger, so in theory, he’s tougher than I am, but I think I can hold my own against him 🙂 I’ve done Warrior Dash, and it was fun, but Tough Mudder looks like it will be a big challenge for me and I can’t wait to take it on!!!

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  7. I’ll keep my schedule open in 2013 (late spring) for the TM. Right now I have too many races I am already registered for to take this kind of punishment…lol Spartan Beast in the Fall, TM in the Spring – Sound good?

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  19. That, in the top pic, was the blood bath (I think that’s what it was called). Right after chomping down on a habinero pepper, we had to jump into a trash dumpster filled with ice, water and red stuff…plus the peppers that people spit out (and maybe threw up…who knows). I’ve done two and am doing my third in a month or so. The first was easy (it was also the very first one they ran for the public). The second? Well, I cramped up horribly after about 5 miles and the next 6 were hell. Mostly we walked, but we did manage some slow trotting here and there. I was really hoping to rack this next one and make it my last, but an injury is going to be forcing me to walk most of it again. It’s an awesome experience and is for a phenomenal cause. The first two I did were at Bear Creek in PA, this one is in Mont Pocono and should have harder hills to do. Enjoy it!!

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  20. I’m signed up for the PA April Mudder for the same reasons you outlined above. I’ve decided to kick my own ass, by registering for a half marathon the following day.
    Good luck. Keep us posted!

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