We returned for a second time to the Tough Mudder challenge. This year we spent the whole weekend up at Squaw Valley for the event. Brett's parents came up with us and watched the boys during the 6 hour competition. The original advertisement was for a 2000 ft elevation gain and a 10 mile course. In the end, it turned out that we had a 4000 ft elevation gain and a 12 plus mile course. Interestingly the three couples that did it together last year were down by the two men (Chris and Eddie)from the other couples (Brenda and Michelle competed again this year). Fortunately, we had recruited Jason and Amy to join us this year, so we had 2 guys and 4 girls on our team. We worked together and got through the obstacles and all finished the course uninjured. Considering that we saw bloodied scalps, neck injuries, neardrownings, and numerous folks being airlifted off the mountain, this was a significant achievement. The highlights for Brett were successfully navigating the monkey bars and crossing the very long balance beam (there was ice cold water underneath that you had to swim out of if you fell). Joy was most proud of getting over the 10 and 12 foot high walls which required a lot of upper body strength to raise yourself up and then lower yourself down the other side. There was something mysterious about seeing the 11 mile marker while we were ascending up to the third peak we had been to. The best addition this year was that food was provided on the course (apples, bananas, water, and gummy sharks). And yes, you do sign a death waiver...
Nice and dry before the whole thing began: Michelle, Brenda, Mommy, Daddy, Jason, and Amy.
The start was an uphill sprint through smoke...if you didn't get some bronchospasm to start off, you weren't breathing.
A gorgeous view of Lake Tahoe from High Camp at Squaw Valley...didn't stop long to take in the sites.
Daddy (closest to right) tries to ascend the half pipe and grab a helpful arm.
The trail of runners covered most of the mountain terrain during the day.
Daddy's successful monkey bar expedition (the only one in our group to make it across).
Mommy was distracted by the splashes next to her and soon joined with a splash of her own.
Mommy ascends the vertical rope to the platform 10 feet up.
Warming up with the space blankets felt so good when you were wet and cold.
Jumping off the 15 foot platform into freezing water (yes they were adding ice to it), Mommy, Brenda, Daddy, Michelle from left to right. Oh yeah, and afterward they had to swim over to the tubes and bob under each of a set of three of them before you swam to shore.
Daddy finishes off the race by running through electrically charged wires. ZAPPPP.
Enjoying a post-race food supply of protein bars, drinks, and fruit.
Thank you Grammy and Poppy for watching our boys while we competed.
This was our favorite closet to set up camp and hide ourselves in. Grammy joined us in here--it was FUN.
It was great to stay at the place where the event started from, because then we were able to walk to the restaurants, listen to the bands, and generally relax after the big event.
We asked Mommy if we could get one of these huge chairs for our backyard...
Just a little sampling of only 2000 feet in elevation gain.
This is where the 1960 Winter Olympics took place, can you imagine playing hockey at 8200 ft?
Well I guess we decided that Griffin was the gold medalist.
