The Toughest Event on the Planet (Maybe)

The people who promote Tough Mudder refer to it as, “probably the toughest event on the planet.”  I have to wonder why they threw in “probably”…is it, or isn’t it?  I don’t know.  I didn’t actually compete in it, but I was the world’s toughest spectator.  I chased my husband and two of his best friends around the mountain with thousands of other participants and spectators.

It was a fun weekend, but it felt like we ran a marathon, for more than the obvious reasons.  Matt and I road-tripped to Beaver Creek, Colorado, via ‘the scenic route’, which I will post about later. Thursday we drove 10 hours before spending the night in Sketchville, Wyoming.  Then we drove the remaining hours the next morning.  Sunday morning we turned around and drove home.  Twas, well, exhausting.  One of the cool parts was that once in Beaver Creek, we were able to stay at a fancy-shmancy condo owned by a friend of a friend of a friend, that was just a five minute walk from the start of the competition.

As the only lady in the condo, I took it upon myself to do all of the cooking and mothering…“Did you put sunscreen on?”  “Stay hydrated!”  “Here, put some coconut oil on that.”  “You really need to eat breakfast.”  “Yes, I can hold your phone, wallet, water bottle and Advil during the race.”

This next photo shows why loads of pasta was crucial for the guys.  This is a map of the course, all 12 miles of it.  There were 24 obstacles, ranging from swimming in ice water to being electrocuted while running through mud to climbing 10 foot walls.  But Matt said that the hardest part was was hiking straight up a ski run for 6 miles.  The course started at just over 7,000 feet and went all the way up to just over 12,000 feet.  As a spectator, waiting at the top, I was short of breath, so I cannot imagine how hard it was for the contestants to breathe (and I’m from Montana!).

Matt, getting pumped up, after checking in.  #85395, “probably” the hottest contestant on the planet.

The guys, showing off what they’re working with.

And me showing what I’m working with.  (Secret’s out!  I don’t go to the gym!)

The three amigos, right after starting.  I’m not sure why Matt is pointing at me…Probably because he’s really cool.

After they started, I waited in line for the chair-lift ride to the top.  Did I mention I waited in line for half an hour?!  The line to get back down was more like an hour wait.  It was worth it though, since I didn’t have to hike.  The ride was beautiful and peaceful and the view from the top was not bad either.

This might be my favorite photo from the weekend.  In this obstacle, they had to climb over and under a series of stacked logs.

Next, the guys had to climb over a series of 10 foot walls.  The most important things about the Tough Mudder event are camaraderie and teamwork.  There are no awards given for first place finishers, it’s just important that you help everybody along the way.  This photo shows the guys helping a lady over the first wall.

Riding the wall.

This was called Boa Constrictor.

After the Boa Constrictor, covered in mud and smiling.

Then there were these dudes.  Awesomeness!

I loved the team spirit of this group.  They are gearing up to charge through live, hanging electric wires just before the finish line.

These are the wires I mentioned.  Matt is the guy covering his face.  He’s smart and good-looking.  Lucky me.

When you cross the finish line, they crown you with a hot orange, Tough Mudder headband and then give you a cold beer.  He said it was the second best beer of his life.

They weren’t kidding about the mud part.  The shoes were ruined.

The Tough Mudders, proud and thirsty.

A kiss for my hero.

The Tough Mudder washing station back at the condo.  Mucho convenient.

He let me sport the headband for a while.  I’m a poser.

XO, Tobi