This was the mystery course, one thing we knew we'd come across but had no idea what it would be. From the way the obstacle was angled we couldn't really tell what was on the other side. All we knew was that it was a little climb up the wooden contraption, the sign said we must go feet first, and for whatever reason there is smoke coming out of the top. We also couldn't see what was happening at the top as it was covered and shrouded in black trash bags to keep the mystery going until you actually got to the drop off zone at the top.
When I got to the top I realized it was just a drop straight down a ramp/slide. The only real awkward thing about it was that the drop seemed to be straight down before catching on the curve of the ramp. That slightly worried me, so I tried to position myself in a way that I would huge the side of the wall as I went down with minimal pain. I was probably over thinking it and the thing was real quick. The other mystery thing about this was that yes, once you got to the top you could look down the drop but you had ZERO idea what was on the other side. Would you slide into water? Maybe some mud? Turned out to be nothing, just some cushions. The whole build up was the most exciting part about this course and when it was over it made you look back and just go "Was that it...?" in a state of sudden disappointment because you expected a bit more maybe. Onward!
Here's one of those easy ones again. Crawl through these 'darkened' wooden tunnels like a mouse in a maze. Well, it wasn't all that dark and you could still see light shining in from cracks or openings. Hell, at some bends I could see into the tubes next to me as people to my sides crawled by. Only issue for me again was size restraint, but it just meant I went slightly slow is all. It was a nice wind down given all the other stuff, but nothing of a challenge.
Here's a fun one. Climb up one side of the wooden tower and crawl/walk across the ropes to the other side while a guy sprays you with water. I mention walk because it is possible to walk across these ropes while keeping your balance. I did it for a little while but ever so slowly because I kept getting worried at the thought my foot would slip between the holes and my leg would fall through, making it super hard for me to get out of. The rope was tight enough to walk on and I was managing it for a bit, but then water in my face was getting to me and I just crawled across it and climbed down the other side.
The last of the upper body strength ones. This was a combination of both being able to climb up, running at a quick enough pace, and knowing not to stop running but instead try to keep running up the walls before reaching for the top or a hand. Like the wall obstacles I could get my hands to the top but definitely needed help pulling myself up. Shame.
Ok, this one I was looking forward to just to help me dry off. I wanted to just be engulfed by fire and be warm and toasty. It was quite like the picture shown here, though. This was more of a path laid out and on both sides were piles of kerosene soaked hay on fire, but mostly just emitting a lot of smoke everywhere. This event became more of a run through all the smoke than a fire run. Even the final little line of fire at the end seemed to have died down by the time our wave had got there. Alas.
And this last one marked the finale of our journey and one of the obstacles I was most curious about. I have never been tasered, shocked, zapped or done anything with electricity before so it was interesting to see what this would feel like. Not really what I was expecting. Remember back in school, with those cheap plastic chairs and the metal legs, the ones you could rub your ass on and then get up and shock somebody with when you touched them? These were like getting statically shocked by someone but just way way stronger. The ones I ran through hit me mostly on my right side arm and leg. Wasn't the worst thing in the world, and definitely got me moving. And right after that, not even 50 meters away? The finish line!
As soon as we crossed we were awarded with our ceremonial Tough Mudder orange headbands, indicating we had completed the challenge, a TM t-shirt, some food and milk shakes and a beer.
Mission complete. There is so much more I could say, but it's best if everyone knows that it is truly is an amazing event and great feeling of accomplishment to complete this course. Our team completion time was about 4h50m for this 9~ mile course up and down hills and through obstacles all along this mountain. I'm happy with what I did. I've lived through it all, completed it all, came back sore and I'm still here. One of things I'm glad I at least tried. Will I make it an annual thing? Probably not, but one things for sure that if I did I would get myself in much better shape before attempting it again.
I am tough!
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