Tough Guy 2017
Discussion
Along with 5 others I'm taking part in Tough Guy 2017 (its a 15k obstacle course with lashing of cold, cold water & mud to swim around in)
I've never done anything like this before and tbh I'm a little concerned that my Graduates have strung me up on this with most of them having 5 year + on me.
I'm not what you'd call traditionally fit albeit I've not got the build of a company director.
I can run 5 miles. But I'd rather not say how long that take me.....
My question. I read less kit is more, simple trail shoes, shorts and top with a pair of light gloves is all I need.
Keep moving and don't think about how cold you are is the mantra....
What our peoples experience of doing this event or a tough mudder in the winter months.
Any comforting words before the 29th Jan much appreciated.
I've never done anything like this before and tbh I'm a little concerned that my Graduates have strung me up on this with most of them having 5 year + on me.
I'm not what you'd call traditionally fit albeit I've not got the build of a company director.
I can run 5 miles. But I'd rather not say how long that take me.....
My question. I read less kit is more, simple trail shoes, shorts and top with a pair of light gloves is all I need.
Keep moving and don't think about how cold you are is the mantra....
What our peoples experience of doing this event or a tough mudder in the winter months.
Any comforting words before the 29th Jan much appreciated.
I did it last year and had it not been for all the BS about it being the last one, probably would have done it again (general consensus is that it will simply be rebranded)
I went up with a few mates but we all ran individually - we geared up in anticipation of the cold but actually overheated on the running section (there is a good 10km run before you get to the Killing Fields where the fun starts!) - the water was still pretty cold though!
Not sure I'd agree that less is more for Tough Guy - if you haven't already, have a look on You Tube for a clip with James Appleton suffering from Hypothermia at the end of the 2013 or 2014 event! A movie called Rise of the Sufferfests is also a good watch if you want to get more of an idea of what it's like
BTW it's absolutely nothing like Tough Mudder!!
I went up with a few mates but we all ran individually - we geared up in anticipation of the cold but actually overheated on the running section (there is a good 10km run before you get to the Killing Fields where the fun starts!) - the water was still pretty cold though!
Not sure I'd agree that less is more for Tough Guy - if you haven't already, have a look on You Tube for a clip with James Appleton suffering from Hypothermia at the end of the 2013 or 2014 event! A movie called Rise of the Sufferfests is also a good watch if you want to get more of an idea of what it's like
BTW it's absolutely nothing like Tough Mudder!!
Edited by CalNaughtonJnr on Wednesday 11th January 14:14
This year will be my 4th. Lots of thin layers is what I found best. Also running tights, otherwise your legs get cut to shreds.
You don't have to be hugely fit, yes it's 15k but you will have to wait around a fair bit for some of the obstacles, which gives you a change to catch your breath.
If you all run round together it's a huge laugh, me and my mates don't take it too seriously, look out for a group of 4 lads wearing the 'Cool Runnings' bobsleigh outfits.
You don't have to be hugely fit, yes it's 15k but you will have to wait around a fair bit for some of the obstacles, which gives you a change to catch your breath.
If you all run round together it's a huge laugh, me and my mates don't take it too seriously, look out for a group of 4 lads wearing the 'Cool Runnings' bobsleigh outfits.
Depends on how you feel really, only you know that. Once you get wet it is best to keep moving, if you're being held up at an obstacle and you're getting toocold, skip it and go round. You don't have to do all of it. If you're really finding it tough, tell one of the marshals, and they can direct you to medical teams.
Evening all, how did I get on well I didn't die (obviously) and didn't catch hyperthermia......
Overall I'm pleased I took part but below are some of my observations I wonder if you guys also recognise them
So how did I find it..... Well it certainly was overwhelming, signing in the day before and coming from a very Health and Saftey industry just walking the lower section of the course and seeing the obstacles you instantly see and appreciate why people can get seriously injured!
I've never done a tough guy / mud runner event before but have done plenty of closed road sportives / adventure events. I found the pre event to be utterly disorganised this was made even more apparent by the late start and the dodgy tannoy which took what must be quiet a dramatic start into a f**k sake can we just start scenario.
Running to the first field you get the first taste that there are way to many people at this event. I was in the wet neck crowd but was half way up the hill at the start when something went bang and we pegged it. But even so by the time we got to the hills poeple were slowing down and queuing.
The hills was the first time I realised that extreme in this context stood for extremely unsafe.... I'm all for pushing myself but if there was something to impale you the event organisers did their best to put you in harms way. Unfortunately half way through the hills someone shouting followed by sirens probably meant my concerns were right.
But at this point it was still fun... It wasn't me.... I saw it like a cross country run gone wrong and tbh until I got past the forest it was all fairly as expected expect for the queuing which kept getting worse.
I now understand when people talked about the repetition of the obstacles and tbh it was quite alright by me and by the time you got to the final 5k I was blowing out of every hole.....
I guess the things I took exception to were the lack of proper marshalling and use of the Army Cadets (although they were great). The lack of water at two stops annoyed me no end being drained and just wanting to get round and to finish it off the complete F##K UP getting out.
Tbh we were lucky we got there early and got out of the field after an hour waiting but tbh we took my mates X5 and I'm honestly pleased about that otherwise I'd be like the poor sod in the 335d slipping and sliding.
Would I do that event again, no, I get why people must be nostalgic if they've been doing it for years plus the sense that it could go wrong st any time but not in £100 for it.... I don't know where the money went... Honestly that event can't of cost that much to put on. Would I do another event like it again HELL YES... However searching tonight for summer event has shown that the more mainstream events are really expensive (£100+) but look like they actually give a monkeys about your Saftey.
All in all nothing could of prepared me for it and thank you to those who gave me words of encouragement.
Overall I'm pleased I took part but below are some of my observations I wonder if you guys also recognise them
So how did I find it..... Well it certainly was overwhelming, signing in the day before and coming from a very Health and Saftey industry just walking the lower section of the course and seeing the obstacles you instantly see and appreciate why people can get seriously injured!
I've never done a tough guy / mud runner event before but have done plenty of closed road sportives / adventure events. I found the pre event to be utterly disorganised this was made even more apparent by the late start and the dodgy tannoy which took what must be quiet a dramatic start into a f**k sake can we just start scenario.
Running to the first field you get the first taste that there are way to many people at this event. I was in the wet neck crowd but was half way up the hill at the start when something went bang and we pegged it. But even so by the time we got to the hills poeple were slowing down and queuing.
The hills was the first time I realised that extreme in this context stood for extremely unsafe.... I'm all for pushing myself but if there was something to impale you the event organisers did their best to put you in harms way. Unfortunately half way through the hills someone shouting followed by sirens probably meant my concerns were right.
But at this point it was still fun... It wasn't me.... I saw it like a cross country run gone wrong and tbh until I got past the forest it was all fairly as expected expect for the queuing which kept getting worse.
I now understand when people talked about the repetition of the obstacles and tbh it was quite alright by me and by the time you got to the final 5k I was blowing out of every hole.....
I guess the things I took exception to were the lack of proper marshalling and use of the Army Cadets (although they were great). The lack of water at two stops annoyed me no end being drained and just wanting to get round and to finish it off the complete F##K UP getting out.
Tbh we were lucky we got there early and got out of the field after an hour waiting but tbh we took my mates X5 and I'm honestly pleased about that otherwise I'd be like the poor sod in the 335d slipping and sliding.
Would I do that event again, no, I get why people must be nostalgic if they've been doing it for years plus the sense that it could go wrong st any time but not in £100 for it.... I don't know where the money went... Honestly that event can't of cost that much to put on. Would I do another event like it again HELL YES... However searching tonight for summer event has shown that the more mainstream events are really expensive (£100+) but look like they actually give a monkeys about your Saftey.
All in all nothing could of prepared me for it and thank you to those who gave me words of encouragement.
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