Tough Mudder Success: Team FitFun
Extreme obstacle races just like Tough Mudder have existed in the UK since at least the 1980s. However, it is only recently that they have seen mass participation. There are a growing number of these types of races involving challenging military-style obstacles. Evidently, thousands of Brits are up for the challenge. The attraction is all about facing your fears and having fun at the same time. Most people have never been covered in mud, jumped in a river or climbed a high wall. But clearly, it gives you a great sense of fun and ultimately accomplishment. On the 27th of April 2014, Team FitFun travelled to Henley on Thames to take on Tough Mudder London West a 12-mile obstacle race through mud, electrified wires and freezing water.Tough Love
It turns out, that there is indeed enjoyment to be found in the muck. For as soon as we trudged our first puddle, during a mad dash up some steep hills, there was a sense of complete liberation. A thrill to be ‘free’. Apprehensions were forgotten and fear was no longer a deterrent to the fun.
Tough Enough
The aim of this Mudder game is finishing the course while not taking yourself too seriously. (it’s not actually even a race). With that came a lot of slipping, sliding, shrieking and general camaraderie. This was truly an engaging experience which anyone with a moderate fitness (and no phobias) can handle. In fact, these forms of events have captured the imagination of people who sit behind a desk all day. Those who want to let go by doing something completely different in their free time. Once signed up, this then has a positive knock-on effect in a similar vein because your training and preparation is then varied and unusual. The lowered competitiveness of this particular event appealed to Team FitFun. For some of whom did some of their training for the event in a swing park, on the monkey bars when no one was looking.
Tough talk
“The idea of a marathon never interested me because straight running for more than 20 minutes is a bit boring”
“Tough Mudder is a bit like being allowed to do all the things you were told not to do as a child such as don’t go near the water!” Instead, you jump in, waving your arms, and then get muddy again”.
“It is a bit like a huge messy adult adventure playground”.
But for all the funny twists and turns, getting ready for a Mudder is no joke. Although each course is different, our course was stretched over more than 450 acres and is designed by the British Special Forces to test all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Thus because we at FitFun know how much courage, hard work, physical and mental strength it requires to get ready for and complete such an event we wanted to say a massive well done to each and every one of our team members for doing so. The last few months have been truly memorable. As a group we trained, shared and conquered as a team. The greater gains that come with the synergy of finishing what we started together are already so very apparent – New friendships, Redefined limits and Greater self-belief to mention but a few. Tough Mudder April 2014, Team FitFun!!!
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