This summer I, along with members of my family, did a Tough Mudder challenge. For those of you not familiar with what a Tough Mudder challenge is, it is an endurance event in which participants attempt a 10-12 mile long military-style obstacle course. The course tests mental as well as physical strength.
In the midst of my near heat stroke and physical exhaustion, I noticed a lot of things about this challenge that were appropriate to life. The top four things I can remember are listed below.
Be prepared
The Tough Mudder course by itself is challenging. If you add into that starting the course at high noon, with temperatures in the mid 90s in Southern Virginia, you have a receipt for a medical emergency waiting to happen. In fact, one of our team members passed out early into the challenge.
You cannot condition yourself to be ready during the challenge, and to perform, your body has to be well hydrated and you must have had proper nutrition and training before stepping onto the course. You cannot succeed in life without preparation. You must take the time to fuel your body and your spirit for the challenges you will face. Once you are facing the challenges it is too late to get ready for them.
Help others
The Tough Mudder is not a race or a competition. It is a challenge, and the person being challenged is you. You cannot complete the Tough Mudder without the help of your teammates or strangers pulling you through the obstacles.
I noticed the constant giving of assistance and in return, people who were helped passed that help onto others. Teams helped other teams, not just their own. Individuals completed a task and reached back to help complete strangers do the same. An angel of mercy, whose name I do not know, poured cold water over my head when it was clear I needed it.
Life offers us many opportunities to help those in need, and if we are fortunate, we will not too often be the needy one. The help we offer, and the help we receive, can extend beyond those who share a bloodline, pigmentation or national identity with us.
Do what you can
The 10.2 mile course in Doswell, Virginia, had 19 obstacles. There were people who did every single obstacle and ran the entire 10.2 miles. I was not one of those people. Five miles in I began to feel dizzy and went around obstacles that I felt would cause me to pass out if I tried. The only thing I refused to do was quit.
I helped and encouraged my children (who slowed down for me) and gave a hand to those literally stuck in the mud. I did what I could. I came to accept I no longer had the stamina, agility, and overall strength of those 20 or 30 years younger than me. But even if I could not demonstrate those attributes, I had others I could compete on: compassion, encouragement, mental toughness and perseverance.
We all have something to offer. We all participate in life and will come across those more successful than we are and some who wish they had what we do. In either case, we may have something to offer, even if all we have is a smile to give.
The only failure is quitting
I saw people pass out and be carried away on stretchers. I saw people go find the shade that was in rare supply. I saw some of those who started out running slow to such an extent that our steady walking team passed them (there’s a metaphor somewhere in there). And finally, I saw people like me, whose physical strength had been spent and they walked around some obstacles.
What I did not see was anyone throw his or her hands up in despair and quit! Young, old, body like Adonis, or body designed by McDonald’s, all kept moving. The challenge was to finish and do your best. The accomplishment was to finish the course. The prize was the same orange head band and grey tee shirt all finishers get. You got to be among those who showed they were tougher than the mudder.
Is this not life? Do we not all face challenges? Sometimes we need to take a break. Sometimes we need to slow down. Sometimes we are spent and can barely keep moving if not for the goal we have in mind.
My goal was to finish. I finished the Tough Mudder and I am glad I did. My body hurt. My feet were sore. I almost passed out in the heat. But I did not quit. I encouraged others, even when I could not do what they were doing. I felt no envy, just joy in being a part of the crowd. I finished the challenge and we all celebrated each other’s success.
I just keep thinking about my experience and I wonder what kind of country (world) we would be if we lived like we were in a Tough Mudder challenge.
I invite you to explore the pledge below and substitute the words “life” for “Tough Mudder” and “humans” for “mudders.”
The Mudder Pledge
- I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
- I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
- I do not whine – kids whine.
- I help my fellow mudders complete the course.
- I overcome all fears.