My Tougher Mudder 2017 season highlights

This year I participated in a few more Tough Mudder’s than I originally planned including a late decision on Tough Mudder Ireland and a 40th Birthday celebration at Tough Mudder North Germany. Having now completed my Tough Mudder Season, here are my Tough Mudder highlights:

Germany
A weekend in Hamburg, celebrating a 40th birthday whilst taking on the longest Tough Mudder I’ve completed (over 20km). The first 5km was pretty much a trail run, but the rest of the course was classic TM with a “surprise obstacle” which was a line across a 3m deep pool. We finished the race in style with birthday cake and a Jaegarbomb in Electroshock therapy.

Ireland
Tough Mudder Dublin was another late decision, but really glad I did it. I went across with 4 other solomudders. A hire car was booked as was  a an airbnb. Great to meet with new solos and I now  run with the regularly. I was told before hand that it was “old school” as it didn’t have all the signature obstacles due to it being a franchised event. However,  I wasn’t disappointed, most the key obstacles were there – blockness, stage 5 clinger and Arctic Enema, whilst Deadringer, a legionnaire only obstacle I didn’t have the pleasure of when I first started TM was also there. Yes it was smaller than ones in the UK, but the atmosphere was still there. Recommended for any complete-ists. However as it clashes with London in 2018 it won’t be on my list.

Tough Mudder Ireland 2017 Finish Line Beer

Toughest Mudder

Probably the highlight of my OCR calendar. 8 hours on a shortened (5 miles) full course. Starting at midnight and ending at 8am, we were to complete as many laps as possible, with obstacles including agustus gloop, blockness, hang time and Arctic enema. I was always targeting 25 miles and with the help of Craig (another solo mudder) we managed it with the time. Tough mudder obstacles are fun in the day and fresh, but taking them on at 5am, when you’re wet, cold and tired is a different matter altogether. Saying that, I’ve signed up again and this time aiming for 30miles.

Arctic Enema (3rd of 4)

London South
Tough Mudder London South is my favourite course – a short and flat one where you can get around in under 2 hours. This was the first course I was attempted as a solo runner and was a very different experience. The only negative is that they have changed Everest 2.0 to be a little “tamer” due to a few injuries at North West. No running to the top for help, but climbing up using a rope. I have sent some feedback and I hope they come up with a good alternative for 2018

Tough Mudder London South Kiss of Mud

London West
My first Tough Mudder of the season and home to one of the hilliest courses. It was also the first “Toughest Mudder” (weekend 2) – a chance to be “competitive” and get an official time. I actually ran this with a friend, so didn’t actually run competitively! London West was a new course for me and I really liked the course, Funky Money was set up on a hill and you had to take on Killa Gorilla before it. First time I took on Stage 5 Clinger, Agustus Gloop and Funky Money 2.0. I got to the second wheel and flew off, nearly hitting the side.

Star Jumps in Electro Shock Therapy

So that was my Tough Mudder 2017 review highlights. I a planning on a season pass for 2018 including another trip (or two) to Germany. Unfortunately the new London North date clashes with Ireland so I wont be going there. I have already booked Europes Toughest Mudder (Midlands) whilst have decided to put crew at Toughest Mudder (Scotland).

What were your highlights? Which course did you like? Was there anything you wasn’t a fan of? What are you planning to do for 2018?