It was one ago today we were heading to Mansfield, OH to prepare for the biggest race we’ve have ever done, the Tough Mudder. The Tough Mudder is comprised of the craziest mud obstacles you can imagine involving an ice bath, electric shock, tunnels, barb wire, 12 foot walls, a half pipe and more. About 6 months prior to this, my friend and race buddy asked me if I wanted to do another mud race, as we had completed the Mudathlon a few months before this and I said sure let’s do it. Of course not realizing what I signed up for, I looked it up and admit I was freaked out. I almost didn’t register after finding out what all was entailed, but very glad I did.

I am not going to lie, the race was the hardest that I have ever faced. Our Tough Mudder was just over 11 miles, 26 obstacles and took us 5 hours to complete. Our team trained for about 5 months and I was still not prepared for it, I honestly don’t think any amount of training could compare to the actual experience we had. I remember we were about half way through, my team mate Cindy and I were both cramping up, exhausted and we really thought about giving up at that point. But for some reason or another, we just couldn’t quit. I have never been a quitter on anything in the past, why would I start now. We all trained for this and it was one of the big goals I personally set for 2013 so we powered on. A few of my favorite moments would have to be the ice bath since we made it through it and finally got the feeling back in our bodies. The underground tunnel because I overcame a fear of enclosed spaces on this obstacle and accomplished it. The monkey bars, I fell on this one into water which was about 30 degrees and freezing and I panicked. Thought I was going to drown but my team mate, Josh jumped in to get me and will never let me forget how he “saved my life”. The very tall ladder we had to climb, I am really afraid of heights too. The half pipe that you have to run up, leap into the air and trust others at the top to catch and pull you up. I completed it on the first attempt and it was such a high that I just yelled YES after I made it up. And how can I not forget the electro shock therapy, the very last obstacle before the finish line. Ouch is all I can say.

The Tough Mudder was tough, tougher than I could ever imagine and not just physically but mentally too. The best part about it was the promotion of team work as their motto is leave no mudder behind. I have to say hands down couldn’t have finished the race without our whole team. We stayed together the entire 5 hours and helped each other stick it out so we all could complete it. I absolutely loved my team mates in the photo above, they made it fun, kept us all upbeat and positive even when we were’t feeling it, so thank you team Mud Lite. Would I do the Tough Mudder again? Heck yes I would. It was hands down one of the best experiences/races I have done. I am secretly hoping for a team Mud Lite reunion someday 🙂