Let me start by saying this was seriously messy, but also way too much fun!
Going into my first attempt at Mudd, Sweat, and Tears I had no idea what to expect. Hearsay, buildup, and anticipation from last year was buzzing around the workplace, but that never gave me the full spectrum of expectations.
The start line of the course looked to be a great precursor as to what was ahead.
As well as the finish line…
Our team was set to take off at the 11 o’clock heat, so we saw earlier groups finishing the course. Most people started the race wearing a different colour shirt, but everyone finished covered in the same colour. Caked in dark, thick, sloppy mud!
Not only did we see groups finish, but also saw groups begin the many hurdles.
The start of the course included a team wall climb, which was followed by, get this, a crawl under chicken wire, through gravel, finished with an electrical mesh at the end. Great start right?
The first two obstacles right off the bat definitely seemed like a preview of things to come. But I will be %100 honest and say that was not completely the case.
The beginning was followed by approximately a half kilometre run to the next obstacles, which again came in a pair. It was a net climb up about 25 feet and scaled back down, followed by a team tire drag up and down a hill. This was then followed by another very lengthy run.
The obstacles that were placed in the Otway forest were great, but my strife on the event was that I expected to get a little messy earlier on as it felt like the first mud obstacle appeared half way through the course after kilometres of just simply running; and there was a lot of running (which is fine because sweat and tears is also in the title alongside mud).
More hurdles we had to tackle included crawling through gloopy mud under chicken wire twice, a rope climb, a few sets of monkey bars, a couple balancing/jumping obstacles, a swim in a man made freezing cold lake (which was not super great on those tired leg muscles), a team log carry and to finish a team wall climb.
Writing this a day later, I am PLEASANTLY surprised at how well my body is reacting to the physical beating it took on the course yesterday. Our team did well, incurring a few injuries, as well as shedding a little blood. Everyone on that course, no matter what age, seemed to have enjoyed themselves, and could take memories away from it, as well as pride by simply taking on the course.
I do apologize for the lack of muddy, messy photos, based on the fact that I was more concerned with getting that dang mudd out of every crevice of my body! Stay posted on the Mudd, Sweat, and Tears Facebook Page for the photos to be posted from the on course photographers!
If you’re thinking of doing this event next year, be prepared for the messiest clean up of your entire life!