Tough Mudder 2012 Part 1

As I sit here soaking my right foot, attempting to get rid of the infected blister I received from running 11.5 miles with mud and rocks in my sock I figured I'd write my race report.

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I've been running at least 4-5 days a week, anywhere from 3-6 miles for the last few months. It's been such a beautiful spring it's been easy to get out there to work out. I tried to do a lot of push ups, pull-ups, and attempted the monkey bars ever time I was at a playground to get ready for all the upper body strength required to complete the TM course.

If you have never heard of the Tough Mudder it's an adventure race that claims to be the "Toughest Event on the Planet." All I know is it's definitely the hardest and most mentally demanding thing I've ever done. The running is easy, the obstacles take everything out of you. It's truly life changing.

I found out about this event last fall, I think there was an ad on my facebook page and it looked intriguing. As soon as I read about it I knew I had to do it. I've always wanted to do an adventure race, I almost did the Warrior Dash a few times but I was always busy when it was scheduled for. When I found out that the TM was coming to the Twin Cities I signed up to receive an email when registration opened. I emailed a bunch of women hoping they would want to do the race with me, no one bit, so I signed up alone. Looking back on it I should have just signed Tony up for it as well, he would have done it with me no question and would have been a great partner in crime. I think I was thinking that he wouldn't want to spend the money.

Day of the event I was insanely nervous, now I've done hundreds of running races, I get nervous for those too, however running races I know what to expect. Run 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, etc as fast as I can get my body to move, start to finish. This event I had no idea what to expect. I knew the general obstacles and distance, but there's no way to prepare for freezing water, barbed wire, tunnels, 12 ft walls, and electricity. I didn't know if I'd panic, freeze up, freak out, etc. The unknown is scary. They say to do one thing every day that scares you, well I think the TM should count for about 3 weeks.

In order to get to the start you need to climb over a 4 ft wall, I attempted and failed, Tony had to boost me over. That made me even more nervous, seriously I can't get over one little wall? How am I going to be able to handle the rest of this course? Good things this race is all about camaraderie and teamwork.

The MC for the race does a 10 minute pump you up session. He does this every weekend at every TM in the US, he is amazing! I can't tell you exactly what he said, I was taking a lot of deep breaths just to keep the tears in (nervous = tears for me.)
We did a lot of HOO-RAHS and other chants and I was ready to get this thing started!
After a very beautiful national anthem we were off!

About to head over the start wall.

Attempting the wall, Tony came to help after he took this picture.

Nervous!

Let's Do This!