Tough Mudder, the aftermath

Sometimes it takes on bad call to fuck everything up. That's the reason I didn't finish yesterday.

About two miles into the race yesterday I got annoyed with the numerous rocks in the heal of my shoe so I decided to just remove my socks and shoes and press onward. I really don't know what possessed me to do this, but I did it. So the next part of the course was call the roller coaster run which lived up to its name as it went up and down a bunch of times. And these were serious grade hills. The ground wasn't too bad during this time and while I walking I was making pretty good ground. I also made it through the Death March which was a hill that went almost straight up. Then I hit the Mystery obsticle (who's name escapes me) which was a rope climb up a wall and walking across a cargo net neither of which felt great to my feet. After that was the moonshine trail and the terrain got really rocky, I made it past the mile 7 marker and my feet said "no mas" I hailed one of the race volunteers with a 4 wheeler and they took me to the aid station.

Make no bones about it, I quit. I am not happy about that at all. In hindsight had I kept my shoes on or wore boots or vibrams, there's no doubt in my mind that I would've finished. But, I did walk around 5 miles completely barefoot through trails and muddy terrain. Say what you want about me not finishing, I won't argue that I didn't finish. But you can't say shit about my toughness.

This isn't the end of the story though. Not by a longshot. I'll be back at this event next year, hell I'm debating about going to the Virginia or Florida event in Nov and Dec respectively. The DNF in this event will not stand in my mind.

Tough Mudder won this round...but it damn sure isn't winning the war.