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TOUGH MUDDER

Sgt (SI) K Noteyoung RAPTC

I
n addition to the busy schedule and a restless nights sleep in the hotel) surely
commitment that lays, in earnest, with not was hoped. The obstacles which are
the Statement of Training Requirement
set out at approximately 800m intervals
at the ASPT, a team of instructors boldly were the only areas of respite, albeit short

stepped forward to enter a 12 Mile lived before regrouping and moving swiftly
gruelling obstacle course event, known as on. Although the beauty of this was that
the ‘Tough Mudder’.
whilst motoring forth between obstacles,
you were able to regain some form of

The event took place on Sunday 18 Nov feeling in the body which had been
12 at the Cholomondary Estate in Cheshire completely numbed from the icy waters.
and the team participated in order to
raise money for two very deserving and On approach to the consecutive 12
Tough Mudder Team
worthy charities: Help for Heroes and foot fences, we were witness to some
the Staff Sergeant Mickey Vaggs Trust unimaginable techniques the civilian
Fund (SSVTF). Although similar to the population had adopted in which to there is a distinct look of desperation in his
Tough Guy in terms of characteristics, tackle the obstacle (Mayhem and Health eyes and facial expressions showing true
Tough Mudder could be described as
& Safety at its best). Scaling the fence grit, whilst the pleading words “get me up
an ameliorated version. 12 miles across in rapid succession using the well now” are yelped. We do so in a state of
undulating and immensely boggy terrain, known techniques (which, as soldiers laughter and tears.
including 24 obstacles comprising of is something that we see as second
water, water with ice and some more nature) resulted in the civvies wanting in Spirits are now again high and we

water! Others included tunnels, log on the action. In true Corps spirit we got are nearing the inish line, but to our
carries, 12 foot fences, cargo nets and of them over one by one, but not too many disbelief there is one last challenge, the
course the dreaded electrotherapy (not for though, this is a competition after all.
electroshock obstacle 2. This time a
the faint hearted)! Originating in America, 20m run through the hanging electrodes.

Tough Mudder has now established Good old “squaddie banter” was one You can sense peoples anguish as they
itself as an international event and this thing we were certainly not devoid, in desperately seek an alternative route,
occasion marked its second appearance fact, highlighting other team members (no but there is only one. Paramedics are
since emerging on to the British scene. names, no pack-drill) that were in the “hurt disturbingly on hand. This time it has to

Thus adding to the anticipation of eagerly locker” was something that kept spirits high.
be a mad dash, hard targeting and clearly
awaiting team members!
articulating their anger with a choice of
Two thirds in, cold, wet and ighting the words, which in light of the article, will not
Upon arrival to the Cholomondary onset of fatigue, we approached the be recited! Each zap putting you in what
estate we were greeted in true American
dreaded electrotherapy obstacle. A 15 seems a state of unconsciousness, for
fashion, with an MC challenging and metre crawl, under 10,000 volts hanging a split second or two. Even those with
motivating competitors, loud music, an from an array of electrodes. The lead the most notorious of backgrounds were
array of people in fancy dress costumes pack informs the team of what lies ahead reduced to the foetal position, or at the
with their event serial number on bold and urge them to take a moment to very least brought to their knees (“it’s had

display of the forehead (just to give it that compose themselves. We decide that a me butt” one comment that sticks out),
raw thuggish appearance). However, run up and slide through as far as you can, results are catastrophic.
the most distressing sight has to be the will, hypothetically, get you through in the
unidentiied piles of trainers (the remains of shortest period whilst keeping you proiled The inish line. Once again in true

the previous day’s event) under a canopy as low to the ground as possible, yet in American style we were overwhelmingly
which captioned the words “send them to reality, there is no perfect solution that applauded, presented the coveted orange
heaven,” this clearly sent a message and doesn’t result in you being succumbed to Tough Mudder sweatband and greeted
set the tone for what lay ahead.
the obstacle and receiving a succession of with a well deserved beer.

zaps! A feeling that could be equalled to
The event started with an abundance of a punch from the “Haymaker” and which The whole event has been an excellent
smoke grenades illing the lungs to a state sends your motor functions in to a state experience, team members were able to
of plenitude and squeezing out every last of confusion. Movements that would only display, impeccable teamwork, leadership,
inch of oxygen, which of course, is just
resemble normality in a funky nightclub of empathy, tenacity, determination and
what you need at the start of any race. some sort!
aggression (controlled most of the time!)
If chaos and pandemonium was the aim, characteristics which epitomise that of
it was certainly achieved . Participants Just getting back to normality, we a Corps Man/Woman. Furthermore, we
spread out due to varying itness levels approach the inal stages. A concaved were able to raise in excess of £400 for the

or as a result of the sheer fact they had wall that can only be executed as a two above mentioned, great and worthy
lost their footwear, somewhere in the knee team, many are up within one or two charities. Thank you to all those that
high bogs. Despite the team’s strategy to attempts. However, one team member participated and those who supported the
stay together, invariably the competitive (again no name, no pack-drill) is faced event in some form; including sponsors,

instinct which lies within every Corps with a dilemma, the wall is defeating him. the ASPT and SMI Gaul MBE.
member was unleashed and the pace Despite several attempts from the team,
was pushed. Was this to be the theme for all that is achieved is a face plant. The I urge and challenge all those extremists
the next 11 miles, was on the minds of crowd are now involved and urging him to try Tough Mudder and assure you that

team members (especially those that had
on, after one last leap we have his hands,
you will not be disappointed.