I am half a Mudder

A group from my church were running through the Tough Mudder to raise funds for charity. We were going to each carry a piece of a cross in backpack through the course and assemble it at the end. Some people in our group did not want to do the mudder with the cross which we said we would do for charity and few people were adamant on doing it with the cross.

With only four hours of sleep and stomach issues I drove to Beaver Creek and once I had parked I was relieved to see the team by my vehicle ready to pick up pieces of the cross. We loaded up and carried six pieces up there. Two of the guys who did not want to carry their pieces left them at home and another guy from Pathways (My church) carried a piece for us.

The race was interesting. Before we could get to the start line we had to get over a 10 foot wall and hike 50 feet up an inclined hill. I realized I was not prepared for the race as I had to stop multiple times up the mountain. The first mile was all uphill and it took most of it out of me. My team was very encouraging & helpful. Some members without back packs would carry other people's packs for a while to give them a break. They really did embody what it meant to do it as a team.

Our team was lagging and the last team to go through. Teams were released in waves and we ended up in the final wave to go out that day. Moving through the course at altitude is tough but with 40 pound packs on your back it really slows you down. They were closing obstacles after we would go through them.

I was up on the mountain for three hours before I realized I would have to leave early to get back to my house & dog sitting gig. I managed to complete five miles and seven of the ten obstacles. It was amazing to go through the obstacles. I was thinking I would skip most of them but they were fun. Climbing under cargo nets, carrying logs uphill, swimming through ice moats, and climbing over logs & through dusty wooden tunnels.

I did not finish the course, I finished half the course. So then I can say I am half a mudder. So far this summer is fun & challenging and hopefully no more time will be spent in the mud!