RACE DIARY: We’ve Signed Up to Tough Mudder with For Goodness Shakes

What is 10 – 12 miles long, has between 20 – 25 obstacles and sees thousands of participants in orange headbands jump, crawl, swim and climb their way along it? Tough Mudder! And four of us at Healthy Living London are going to taking part in it this year.

When an email from For Goodness Shakes dropped into our Inbox inviting Healthy Living London to voluntarily sign up to an obstacle course race, I secretly whooped in my head. I LOVE obstacle course races. Although Tough Mudder, in my opinion, is an entirely different race from the others. I’ve done and loved several obstacle course races in the past but there’s something different about Tough Mudder. For a start, it has very different obstacles – there aren’t many which can boast the ‘Arctic Enema’ (a short slide into a tub of iced water) or the ‘ElectroShock’ (a particularly nasty obstacle which involves running through live electric wires) – and it’s not timed so the ‘race’ element takes less priority and it’s more about teamwork and fun.

In all the obstacle course races I’ve done, I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’ve only ever passed one obstacle up and it was one on a Tough Mudder. And it wasn’t my physical strength which let me down but my mind. I was too scared.

I’m determined that in this year’s Tough Mudder race I’ll do ALL the obstacles!

Alongside myself, Hannah, Lucinda and Rosie will be pulling on our headbands and getting muddy on 16th September. We’ll have For Goodness Shakes providing our post-training recovery (thanks guys!) and we’ll be documenting how we get on in the lead up and on the day.

But first, introductions on our team members:

I’m Lucinda and I am both excited and terrified in equal measure to be part of the HLL Tough Mudder team.  Whilst I have run a couple of half marathons in the past, I have never attempted a challenge like this before. It’s going to be tough and muddy! 

I am most looking forward to: a nice long shower at the end!!  I enjoy pushing myself and doing new things that take me to edge of my comfort zone, and I am expecting Tough Mudder to do just that.  I am looking forward to the challenge and working together as a team to get through the obstacles and helping each other round.

One thing I’m going to find challenging: I love water, so I am less worried by the swimming and water sections, but I am a little afraid of heights, so I think the high climbs and swings, will be big challenges for me.  Also attempting to run in soggy, muddy clothing!

What I think it’ll be like: I am expecting it to be Tough and Muddy!

 

I’m Hannah from Healthy Living London. I always get nervous introducing myself like this as often, people have an expectation about those in the fitness industry. So, instead I like to focus on what I bring to our company… I am a ‘Bridget Jones’ curvy girl that tries to be healthy, but is often seduced by cocktails and pizza! I write and review from an honest perspective and acknowledge that I find fitness and exercise hard.  My editor is a PT and is very knowledgeable about health and fitness, but I feel my opinion is important too. I represent all the women out there that are trying to make healthier decisions, who try out random exercise classes, but fancy a gin and tonic at the end of it all! I often get thrown in the deep end, but I am always willing to have a go… from dancing with glow sticks in Pineapple Studios to attempting some pretzel shape at the latest yoga studio… I always have fun doing it. Hopefully, I inspire others to have a go too…

Also, I am most looking forward to giving a wet, muddy hug to Ed – my supposedly supportive boyfriend! On learning of my impending adventure, he said.. “HA! Good Luck!”

I am most looking forward to: Well, I always get nervous before trying something new that scares me, so I guess I’m looking forward to finishing the first obstacle. Hopefully, by this point, I can think to myself… I can do this… and then I can relax my nerves and just have fun. I am certainly not doing this for a good finishing time, so I am just going to take each obstacle as it comes and hopefully enjoy some of them! I am looking forward to the teamwork and the experience with the girls AND getting my own orange headband!

One thing I’m going to find challenging: Staying mud free! I think I will find it all challenging and I am going to attempt all the obstacles, but I can’t promise to complete them all. I will have a go, but I know my limits!

What I think it’ll be like: I imagine it will be cold, tiring and long, but hopefully, there will be lots of laughs and beaming smiles, as well as some singing along the way!

 

I’m Rosie, I have a love hate relationship with being active. I currently enjoy yoga and drumming.

I’m most looking forward to: I’m looking forward to (hopefully) surviving the whole ordeal.
One thing I’m going to find challenging: The running in-between the obstacles will be my biggest challenge.
What I think it’ll be like: I’ve done it twice before and I can only imagine it gets worse when you know what’s coming.

 

I’m Eliza, I love obstacle races but I have a terrible fear of heights which I discovered when I went on Total Wipeout in 2010.

I’m most looking forward to: Doing an obstacle course after several years off being pregnant and having a baby. It’s been too long since I’ve worn my OCR shoes. I’m also looking forward to the training – I love working towards a goal.
One thing I’m going to find challenging: The obstacles which involve jumping off things at great height. I’m just going to have to suck it up and leap! I’m also not a fan of the electric shock part – last time I did it, it took me ten minutes of hesitating before I finally just ran through it.
What I think it’ll be like: FUN! I’m looking forward to completing this Tough Mudder with a fab set of people.

Want to join us doing Tough Mudder? Sign up on their website toughmudder.co.uk