It's not a race, but a challenge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Disclaimer: In order to perform a high-risk activity, it is recommended that Team Aviano members fill out an AF Form 4391 detailing specific hazards and safety concerns. With any activity, it is imperative to do proper research prior to the event and have a plan in place and approved through leadership should an emergency occur.

Sheer panic is the emotion one feels when they feel they have gotten themselves into a situation that is unavoidable. That emotion is one I faced many times this weekend, when I was faced with one of the biggest physical challenges I have ever experienced - the Tough Mudder.

For months, I had known that the gap between my initial training and the day of the challenge was shrinking, and I was filled with questions. Had I trained hard enough? Was I ready? Would I even be able to finish.

The challenge, which was held in Berlin, Germany Oct. 19-20, consisted of a 13-mile course filled with 30 obstacles designed by British Special Forces that tests a participant's strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

As I approached the registration stand, the anticipation of the mudder grew as teams from across Europe filled the quad outside starting area. I could feel the team spirit within the crowd as teams started to warm up, jumped up and down to the music to psych themselves up and remind their teammates that nobody would be left behind. The sight of this helped reassure me that I could complete the course - until I received my bib number and start time.

With a start time of 8:40 a.m., and it already being 8:15 a.m., I had little time to mentally prepare myself before the start of the four-hour course. It seemed as though it had only been five minutes before an announcement came across the quad: "challengers, to the start line."

As my body began to fill with adrenaline and excitement, I had to remind myself that this challenge was not only about me, but ensuring that my teammates finished as well. Before we even began the course, a barrier stood between me and the start line - a 10 foot wall, which served as a reminder that after climbing over, there was no turning back.

With my teammates at my side, we charged toward the barrier. Immediately after we climbed over, we were asked to take one knee to recite the mudder pledge which states: "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." And with that an orange smoke filled the air, and we were off.

As we rounded the first corner we entered an empty field, instead of the obstacles we were expecting. More than 20-mintues into the challenge, we had completed the first obstacle, but the second obstacle was now coming into sight and it was one I was dreading - the arctic plunge.

I knew this obstacle was going to test every physical and mental part of me, but I had to keep going and motivate our team to keep going. With one of my teammates arm-in-arm, we dove into the ice-filled pool for an underwater swim. Emerging on the other side, every muscle in my body immediately tensed and felt like it caught fire. All I could think about was that I had done it, and so did my team.

Continuing through the race, I was truly inspired by the camaraderie not only from my team, but from the challengers. No matter where I was during the challenge, a German was helping me and my team over a wall, an Australian was stabilize the rope for us to climb or a Irishman motivating us to keep going. Halfway through the course it dawned on me that the Tough Mudder is not only about the camaraderie between my teammates, but every participant within the course.

At the 10-mile mark, the effects of the day finally set in: constantly being wet in the cold dreary day started to take its toll. I hadn't been dry in three hours, every muscle hurt and the thought of giving up grew stronger. I kept asking myself "Why? Why am I doing this?

After completing my 12th mile and 24th obstacle, I finally knew.

Hearing the words "lets finish this guys, we only have one-mile to go," and seeing a team come together to complete something so challenging that none of us have ever done is inspiring. As we rounded that final corner to complete our final two challenges, we knew the finish line was only minutes way, but in the last stretch we began to lose some teammates and the mudder pledge came to mind, which states "I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time," so we waited.

As onlookers stood behind us wondering why we chose to stand there instead of completing the course, we watched the path for a glimpse of our fellow comrades. As they rounded the corner to rejoin us and cross the finish line, the crowd was reminded that it's not always about finishing first.

Camaraderie and teamwork are just as important.