01 Mar That time I signed my first death waiver

When they tell you Tough Mudder is a bit like an army-style assault course, you imagine climbing ropes and team work, and think back to memories of gym class that are now distant enough to be fond ones.

The trailer video makes it look fun, with lots of camaraderie and some mud slinging. It is fun, there are tons of great moments and lots and lots of mud…in amongst the gruelling 12mile course where you attempt to run through two foot deep, quicksand-like mud, then drag your body along the ground because your shoes have sunk into trenches of…you guessed it..mud!

I signed up because I had something to prove to myself, but the doubts can set in as soon as you register, and my nerves kicked into overdrive when I received the assault course layout a few days prior to the big day! When I arrived with my team, the place was buzzing with atmosphere and some groups stood out with various costumes and team names printed on their t-shirts. The one that stood out for me the most was a guy in a full wedding dress and veil!

The start has a huge archway where everyone lined up ready to go and there was a guy up on a platform with a microphone in hand. He started talking about why we were there and that yes it was going to be tough but we were all ‘Mudders’ – I think he had taken a little inspiration from the speech in Braveheart, but he had everyone psyched up when the whistle blew and we ran as one across the starting line.

My paper number plate ripped off as I pulled myself over the first wall and I probably should have taken that as a sign, but I laughed it off and ran to the second wall. We knew these were small compared to the ones we had further into the course, so it was only a going to get bigger, tougher and muddier. Every couple of miles there are watering holes and my team did a pit-stop to hydrate, catch our breath and eat one of the peanut butter protein bars that – honestly in that moment I can wholeheartedly say – tasted like the best thing I have ever eaten. If the thought of standing in baking heat, caked in mud and eating a cake is your idea of hell, then this is definitely not for you, however, if you’re up for a great day out, surrounded by amazing people and taking on an intense challenge, all while raising funds for charity, then sign up and I will see you in 2015!

Every obstacle has a name like Balls to the Wall, Just the Tip, and Everest, but it was Artic Enema I was most nervous about. The giant container is filled with freezing cold water and ice is poured in frequently to keep it icy cold – the task is to jump into the water which is up to your neck, wade towards the middle and then submerge yourself underneath a row of tyres, swim underwater to the second half and once you get to the other side you can climb out – that is if your body hasn’t gone completely numb or you cry to be dragged out before making it.

I have to admit, I paused in front of the tyres and every part of my body and mind was screaming at me to get out, my body was shutting down as it should in those temperatures and staying in there would eventually mean hypothermia, so you either get through it or get out. I was tempted to wave the white flag for a moment, but something in me just clicked on and I somehow found the nerve to push under the water and kick through to the other side. Climbing out of that ice bath was one of the hardest physical things I have done and it feels incredible to have done it.

The trick is to focus on everything BUT what you are putting your body through – chat with your teammates, laugh with your fellow Mudders, help and motivate one another because Tough Mudders are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet! It’s certainly not cheap but it’s worth every penny, not to mention the thousands raised for worthy charity Help for Heroes. The price increases the closer you get to the event, so if you’re considering it for next year then I would recommend registering soon. What’s more, if you begin training now, you’ll be in great shape by next summer!

My training started at home earlier this year with some light running, skipping, and the usual sit ups ’til it burns but I knew it wouldn’t enough. I signed up to metamadness classes with a local PT and took my training up a notch. After my first session, my limbs were like lead weights but I felt good and it was all in preparation for the big day that was coming too quickly.

For me, personally, signing up for Tough Mudder was more than just a reason to get fit and raise some much-needed funds for charity – I wanted to take back control of my health and body. Almost two years ago I had an accident and fell down twelve stairs, hitting my spine and twisting my leg, which also resulted in cracked ribs, several sprains and lots of bruising. The initial diagnosis was that my body would heal itself in time, but combined with a previous health condition, which means I suffer from joint pain, it has been a long, slow recovery. I was advised to give up intense exercise, including boxing which I had just started getting into and enjoyed. After a series of appointments with consultants, an orthopaedic surgeon, knee specialist and physiotherapists, I had been sent to pain management class for two months and tried on one set of pain killers after another.

Progress was slow and frustrating and then last year after spending several days in a row going between my bed and hot baths, popping painkillers and feeling lethargic, I decided I was going to make some changes. Over several long months, Yoga and Pilates helped strengthen my core until I was able to come off the medication. The pain doesn’t go away, but it is manageable and the sense of wellbeing and strength I now have really helps to keep me focused.

Gradually as my health and fitness improved, my self-confidence also began to grow in other areas of my life. Giving up regular 9-5 work, I became self-employed with my own business working as a writer and business success consultant at www.makemeasuccess.co.uk. Every day is different, and I love the flexibility it allows – when my body tells me it needs to stretch, I’m not tied to a desk all day. I can care for myself and also be really productive in the hours that suit me, and I get to work with some incredible clients locally and around the world.

Since Tough Mudder, I’ve continued the classes and lost inches from my waist, legs and arms and feel fitter than I have in years. The one hour class is made up of sections – a series of reps, repeated three times and taking the form of abs, arms, lower body and cardio and usually finishes with a boxing set which is my favourite. Crossing that finish line was an amazing sense of achievement and has stayed with me in the weeks since so much so that I’m already looking at other challenges to take on this year and next.

Outside of the class, my PT is really active online, giving out advice on nutrition and maintaining a positive attitude. My brother is heavily into fitness and health and could probably have carried me to the end of Tough Mudder, so the fact that I was willing to pay a personal trainer to help me train is a testament to his motivation building and enthusiasm for reaching your goal.

Getting fit is tough and I’m not going to say that the work out gets easier – but I promise, you get better at it and the amazing feeling you have after a great class is worth the sweat!