You may remember the Philadelphia Mud Run I ran with my co-workers last summer...well, in the fall, they got the brilliant idea to do the Tough Mudder. When I first read what was involved, I said absolutely not! Then, somehow, I let them talk me into signing up. Meanwhile, I forwarded the information to Shauna. Shauna was in and talked Mike into signing up. Thank goodness they did! I missed my start time with my co-workers due the time it took to get the shuttle from one of the lots. This was probably the best thing that could of happened to me that day, because that meant I might as well run with Shauna and Mike at their start time. The Tough Mudder is not considered a race, but a test of mental toughness, the strength of teamwork, and the kindness of strangers. Now, on the website, it stated this course was 9 miles long with 18 military style obstacles...when we got to registration, we saw the map of the course and it was now 25 obstacles and 10 miles. However, near the end of the course, we find it was actually 12 miles!!! Talk about mental toughness!
The course was held at a ski resort, so there were PLENTY of hills to go up and come down. Of course the beginning had one very steep hill, I was ready to give up at that point, but Shauna and Mike pushed me to keep going. We were able to stick together, along with Mike's co-worker for the entire course.
Getting ready to go up the first hill...
Thankfully, this slip and slide didn't hurt like the one we used to set up on my parents back yard!
Walk the plank obstacle....the water was FREEZING!!!
A special thanks to Sal...for putting up with all of the other "crazy" participants and popping up where we least expected him to snap some really great pictures.
TOUGH MUDDER!!! Great pics, Sal!!! We went out to breakfast this morning, and Mike wore his headband! :) I'm going to wear mine to work tomorrow because Monday is 'headband day'. What an amazing experience; glad we were all together. I wasn't going to let Kelli quit. I have to thank Kelli because she was there for me when i got a mini-migraine starting at mile 8; what the hell? Luckily, kelli was there for my emotional support because she totally understands...cause mike just kept trucking forward. :) Stay tuned for the report!
ReplyDeleteOh... and Mike didn't order his usual hash browns, eggs, bacon, and bagel with cream cheese. He ordered the motherload called 'The Breakfast Feast' - add a huge pancake and french toast to what I wrote above! Ha! Ha! Filling the major caloric deficit!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great race. You guys have stamina and guts. Nice pix, Sal; they really give an insider's view of the race. Let me know if you do it next year. I want to try it!
ReplyDeleteCharlie
You guys and girls are something else! Thanks for sharing the experience. I felt like I was a part of the action thanks to the great photo expertise of Sal, "I Bet He Got Muddy Too", Tomczak.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job guys!! Certainly looks tough!
ReplyDeleteI would like to try it too! Keep me posted.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to do it again, but if Uncle Charlie is thinking about it... and Aunt Linda is thinking about it... maybe!!! The beauty of it is that you can take as much time as you need; we walked a lot of it because it was so hilly and the trail running was technical at times forcing you to walk. So it's a challenging hike with obstacles; and you don't have to do any obstacles you feel uncomfortable doing. And it's not timed, and everyone is sooo supportive; great atmosphere! There are Tough Mudder races all over; one first weekend in May in Vermont. A different company does a Mud Run in the summer - the one Kelli did last year posted on this blog... Aunt Linda, if you want to do that.... just need to find out the date; that would be awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you just imagine Uncle Dave trying this.
ReplyDeleteHa! Haaaaaaa!!!! Uncle Dave AND my dad trying this with sweat bands on their heads! Halfway through, they'd probably be complaining that something wasn't fair! "The wall is too high!" "The ropes aren't sturdy enough!" lol!!! Spectator or participant, this may have to be a family event next year!
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