Towards the end of last year I took part in an awesome event called Tough Mudder in Western Australia with a couple of mates who are, like myself, a bit bonkers when it comes to finding things that hurt a bit of fun.
Tough Mudder events are hardcore 18-20km obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all round strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. It also starts from the premise that marathon running is boring, and even more boring to watch, hence the awesome obstacles that makes up the course.
In the UK I had done a similar event called Tough Guy which I had absolutely loved every minute of and in fact spent the entire 3 hours and 20 minutes with a ridonkulous smile plastered all over my face. I was gutted I couldn’t enter the next 2 years due to a back injury, so when I got to Australia and felt fit again I was keen for another challenge.
What always impresses me about these kind of events is the sheer level of fun, determination and camaraderie.
It’s amazing when even though you’re not sure if your body can do much more (when your ankles are sore, your body is bashed & your feet are blistered), that when you tell yourself you can do it, you summon the energy out of nowhere.
I must admit the only exception to that was the Arctic Enema – jumping in an ice bath & swimming to the other side. Just about managed to drag myself out the other end (or rather pushed by some very cold dudes behind me trying to get out) and spent the next half hour picking ice cubes out of my pants.
The second to last obstacle was called “Mount Everest” – a huge, steep ramp that looked like a BMX/skateboarding ramp. After running 18km my body was limping rather than running, but I got my beast mode on and sprinted as fast & far as I could, then jumped on the vertical part of the slope & waited for some random dudes to (hopefully!) catch me. I then hung there with my bum over the slope thinking oh bugger, I have no energy left to drag myself up!
I managed to do a little girly pull up (ok was more like angry grunting plus these big dudes yanking me up), before sliding my sore bod down the other side to wait for my awesome team mates.
Then it was a run round the corner to face the final obstacle, where we ran through mud while being electrocuted to the finish line. Definitely woke us up!!! The beer at he end was worth it.
It was such a fun day, and we couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces remembering the different obstacles.
This was an event that couldn’t be done solo. While you were in charge of your own body & mind, your team mates & complete strangers were there to give you a lift up when you needed it, cheer you on, and drag you over when you’re ass up in front of the world.
A bit like life, really…
You don’t need to go it alone. Ask for help when you need it – because things are easier if you just allow it & open to receive.
For anyone in Perth, Australia who would like to join my team in doing the Spartan Super and Tough Mudder this year and help us raise money for a worthy cause, the Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia, contact me for details.
Are you ready to stop struggling through life? Are you sick of feeling like you’re stuck in survival mode? Come and join my other members who are also on their journey From Surviving To Thriving.
Have a happy day 🙂
