Tough Mudder - Wisconsin 2015

Grueling is an understatement, it is the ultimate test of physical and mental strength.

Recently a group of friends and I decided to participate in the Tough Mudder-Wisconsin event. The 11-mile 18-obstacle course was beyond exhausting and without the help of fellow Mudders, finishing it would not be possible.

As our trek began, our team was skeptical of what to expect. It was all smiles until the first obstacle, when we had to army-crawl in muddy water filled with tiny rocks and pebbles. Then having to go up and over barrels of hay with barbed wire above, taunting with scarring our backs. Now drenched in muddy water we ventured onto obstacle number two, where our creative minds had to go to work. A towering 12-foot wall stood between us and the path to the upcoming obstacles. We had to hoist one another up and over the wall by any means necessary.

Adventuring into our journey, we hit the “Mud Mile” obstacle. We had to descend into a series of manmade muddy pits filled with water up to our waists. We then had to climb up and over piles of mud and rock. All of Mudder Nation came together and helped everyone complete the obstacle. As we finished, there were multiple rocks in our shoes and we all had scrapes on our knees and elbows. (Rookie mistake not taping over the opening of your shoes to prevent the entry of stones.)

About half way through came the dreaded “Artic Enema.” We slid down a ramp covered by a metal gate, forcing us to submerge ourselves into an oversized freezing bucket of ice water. Mudder volunteers were continuously adding bags of ice as we slid down. Instant chills. Our bodies did not know what hit them. I had the worst ice headache you could imagine.

Moving on, the jogging between stations became tiresome. We pushed through a number of other obstacles and continued on the course determined to finish. The “Funky Monkey” obstacle was a nice break from the legs, as it required all upper body strength. We had to jump up to monkey bars that were on an upward slope. Once that portion was done, (if you made it that far), you then had to shift momentum and reach out to a swinging apparatus. Once latched on, you then had to swing to a single pole that was parallel to the water pit below. If you were able to grab on to the pole, you then had to use your arms to scoot down the pole to complete the task.

Heading down the final stretch, we could see the finish line, but the final stage was the most intimidating. The infamous “Electric Shock Therapy.” Where cords with electrical currents hang down from an apparatus. To get to the finish line, you had to finagle through them all. The obstacle also contained hay bales, pits of muddy water and rocks that you had to work around. No matter how hard you tried, there was no escaping the unavoidable fate of being shocked dozens of times. Standing there, watching the people in front of you run through and go down screaming in pain really made you dig deep to muster the courage to do it. Standing there, watching the agonizing faces of the people in front of me, I said to myself, “Let’s do it” and I took off. Before I knew it, I had maneuvered through the wires that exacted extremely intense pain, sending paralyzing jolts through my body, on my way to completing the Tough Mudder.

Little did I know there would be a 19^th obstacle. When I got up from the last shock, I crawled out, rose up and jogged past the finish line. I was catching my breath and realized I had a massive gash on my left hand, right below my thumb. I knew it a was serious laceration, so I sprinted to the medical tent. The doctors quickly reacted to my injury by cleansing the wound and controlling the bleeding. (I could see the muscle inside my hand, which was something I had never experienced.) The doctor said it was 3 cm long and 1 cm in width. He stitched me up and I was fine. Every time I look down at the scar, I think of that day and all that I endured and accomplished.

Thank you to my teammates, Sarah, Mallory, Brittany, and Emily. Through thick and thin, we pushed each other and we got through it. We persevered through the entire demanding course until the end and it was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

On an important side note, this event contributes to a great cause as well; Tough Mudder is partners with the Wounded Warrior Project and part of the profits are donated to help wounded veterans. We can never do enough to support our troops and it was rewarding to complete all the daunting tasks, while contributing to a great cause.