Tough Mudder - June 26, 2011

The Tough Mudder.

Beaver Creek Village hosted 9000 racers over two days. Crazy costumes, mud, blood, sweat, and all smiles. I've participated in fun races, challenging races, and awesome events, but NONE compare to the Tough Mudder. At the very last minute, thanks to the help of Tim Baker, I joined Mark and his sister Alli and the three of us, clad in old MMS uniforms, took on the Mudder. Unfortunately Jake had to work, but we already have it on the calendar for next year! We started 150 yards up a ski run at Beaver Creek where we were warned of the perils that lay ahead of us. The coolest part of the Tough Mudder is the emphasis on camaraderie. It's not about winning, or time. Infact they don't even have a time clock at the finish, and you only know your time if you go and ask. The Mudder is about team work. Seconds before we started, we stood with the 500 other competitors in our heat and took the Tough Mudder pledge.

The Pledge:

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.

* I help my fellow Mudders complete the course.

* I overcome all fears.

And then we started the 10 mile course; 5 10 foot walls, mud pit covered in barb wire, crawling through drainage tubes that spit you into cold muddy water, sprinting up a ski slope, jumping over hay bails while people are aiming fire hoses directly at you, carrying a log for 200 yards, swimming under obstacles in 36 degree water, ice baths, cargo nets over the river, the mud mile, scaling hay bales, crawling up a snow covered ski jump underneath a net, giant slip and slides, dark tunnels, monkey bars 20 feet high over a pit of mud, and the grand finale - running through electric shocks.

Ali Mark and I

Our trio running through some icy water from snow makers, making our way to the giant slip and slide.

I went hands first, which in hind site only increased the amount of water in my face.

Mark on the other hand had much better form.

This looks MUCH easier than it was. Its a 1/4 pipe for skate boarding. Covered in vegetable oil.

And the electric charges. I was seriously concerned about this, but figured if 7000 other people could do it, I could too. After all I am one tough mudder. Turns out it does hurt, just for a second, but it hurts. I got shocked 3 times, and screamed like a little girl, much to the pleasure of the 100's of spectators.

Alli taking the heat as well.

Our fantastic team crossing the finish line.

Donning our awesome new sweatbands, and ready to change and be warm!! At many points we were covered in mud, but the multiple dunkings and dousings of icy cold mountain water left us fairly clean, and freezing cold!

I had a fabulous time, couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday, and can't wait to do it again next year with my hubby and an even larger crew of friends. It's worth a trip to Colorado to participate (hint hint)!