Team Fazy Larry completed Tough Mudder on the Hi Hat Ranch in Sarasota, FL on Dec. 1st in 3.5 hours. The weather was gorgeous for December - 80 degrees and sunny. The biggest issue with the event was entry. We sat in traffic for two hours and arrived just after our 10:20 start time. So we started at 11:00 am. (You have to climb over a wall just to get to the starting line.) Out of the 10-people that signed up, four showed up. Cara, Raylon, Steve and myself. We rocked.
After trying Warrior Dash, I have to say the two events were similar in that the obstacles were not nearly as fearsome as described. Don't get me wrong, the Arctic Enema was shockingly cold and Electroshock Therapy was just plain shocking but overall, they were each easy. The gigantic quarter pipe, Everest, would have been nearly impossible were it wet and muddy. As it was, I ran right up to the lip and put myself on top. It was anti-climatic. Twelve miles was the worst obstacle for me. I didn't train for it and it felt endless. I could do obstacles all day. 12-miles just sucks. As Steve said, "Going 80-miles an hour and it still takes, like, 7-minutes to go 12-miles."
Almost everyone there is carved out of wood. It is quite an exquisite display of the male and female form. And I saw the few - 'not as fit' participants - some solo and some running in a team coaching them on the upcoming obstacle. No idea how they did but they were there. Respect.
It was fun to see the occasional helmet or pair of shorts but the amount of fresh garbage left on the trail was gross. Pick up your shit, humans.
The most enjoyable part of Tough Mudder was the camaraderie. The only conflict lay on the field and we were all misery in company. A stranger lended me a hand on a muddy slope. I helped a woman regain her balance. Everyone offered motivation and the occasional advice. There was no attitude - every person was uplifting.
Speaking of camaraderie - I wouldn't have completed it without my team. Having friends means support. It makes the next few miles more light hearted, the next obstacle quick and the dirt & mud fun. The four of us saw it through together. Go, Fazy Larry!
Would I do it again? Maybe. But I'd rather have more obstacles and less mileage. Also of note, three days after Tough Mudder, I got sick. Flu symptoms: congestion, sore throat and runny nose. Took about a week for it to go away. Coincidence? Maybe.
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