How would I describe the Tough Mudder? Well it's pretty tough...
Spread over 12 miles of hilly terrain the Tough Mudder presents you with 20 obstacles to overcome over the course of the 4 hours it took Team London Real to run it. These tests have colourful names like Arctic Enema and Shock Therapy that sound like good fun but after hours in the mud and rain make you start to question why you paid the 100 quid entrance fee.
Wardrobe is the tricky part. If you wear lots of clothes to keep you warm they get soaked in the first obstacle and both weigh you down and freeze you the rest of the way. So minimalism is the key, wear as little as possible and just tough out the weather conditions.
Our 4 minute video highlights the major obstacles but cuts out the 12 miles of roadwork in between that slowly starts to grind away at you. Half way through your fingers are frozen and your chances of success on the hanging obstacles is toast.
By the end you are finding it very hard to believe they are cruel enough to give you another water bath or electrocution obstacle. At this point it really becomes a battle of mental toughness, staying positive, and pushing forward. My buddy Matt Sulik gives you a good idea of the frustration felt!
The final obstacle Everest gave me one of the strangest feelings ever. Two of my fellow humans (who I had never met nor will ever meet again) selflessly hoisted me to salvation when I had no other alternative. The Tribe was there for me and it felt great to rely on them.
I highly recommend participating in the Tough Mudder. Much like taking a psychedelic, you will learn many new things about yourself.
