Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

It all started innocently enough last weekend. Stephania had registered for the Tough Mudder Indiana race this weekend and in a moment of curiosity, I said "why don't you send me the information." Since one of the central philosophies of funderstormin' is random, ridiculous adventures, a few days later I found myself on a plane to Chicago. I didn't have an entry to the race yet since online registration was closed, but I had the fistful of cash they were demanding for same day entry ($180.00!) and the hope that there was still space in the event.

For the record, I think events like this - a 10 mile run with 29 obstacles - are kind of stupid. I much prefer adventure racing where the obstacles are set by nature and make a bit more sense. But I'd been judging these events without even trying one first, so what the heck.

The Universe lined everything up wonderfully for us, except for the fact that we didn't realize that the time change in Chicago did not apply to Indiana, so we woke up an hour late and we were worried that we'd screwed ourselves. But we still got there early enough and I was able to get a spot, so before I knew it I was signing a "death waiver" and having a number written across my forehead in permanent marker.

The race was held at some off-road park and consisted of trail running with obstacles thrown in every 1/3 of a mile or so. Some obstacles - like climbing over gigantic straw towers, through mud bogs or underground tunnels were kind of fun - many, like the jump into a gigantic vat of ice cold water or crawling through mud underneath barb wire, were kind of stupid, and one or two, like jumping 15 ft off a platform into a lake and then swimming 50 yards, or the ending, which featured running through a last obstacle that was electrified - were somewhat terrifying. I refused to look at the website beforehand so I really had no idea what to expect. I was surprised to find out how much I enjoyed it though, so much so that I couldn't wait to see what the next crazy challenge was going to be. There was a real spirit of camraderie as most people do the events in teams and there are no finishing times, so anytime Stephania and I needed help scaling a gigantic wall or running up "Everest", there were many people willing to help.

The event was sponsored by Dos Equis (my kind of event) and included a free beer at the finish, but we were pretty cold once we were done (about 10 obstacles included getting wet at least to the waist!) so we didn't stick around for the arm wrestling contest as we had a long drive back to Chicago, where we are now contrasting the muddy morning with a night at the W and out on the town!

C • Any pics? 6

Body Pump with Mrs. Tiny. Good times.

RPM class bright and early. Really good instructor - would definitely go back for this one.

C • Look at you! 2

Raid the Hammer with Mrs. Tiny and Stephania. Slow but steady pace. A couple of small blunders but nothing too devastating. Team decision to go from 13-22 in exchange for 3 hour time penalty. Great day to be out in the woods! Awesome post-race food and banter at the Thirsty Cactus.