_ to start the summer adventures, we joined up with the gang at tough mudder to run the inaugural GORUCK challenge. A backpack filled with bricks, 7 miles of summer ski slopes, and countless obstacles.
_ the night before, we camped out in the woods by the start line. current and former green berets, a couple navy kids, and one fine thespian celebrated the start of the summer with hot dogs and beers by the fire, then crawled into our tents nice and early to rest up ahead of the race.
_ well, that was the idea, until somebody found unattended golf carts. they took off into the dark, their screams of fear/joy sounding from high and low on the mountain.
_ the best spot was on back, holding on for dear life (while singing)
_ and what's the use of a tent when the ground's soft and the sky's clear.
_ in the morning the team grabbed their weighted backpacks and assembled at the start line.
_ corey eyes the course.
_ the fireworks went up, the fog horn sounded, and we vaulted off down the slope toward the first obstacle: a long, long climb from the bottom of the mountain to the top.
_ the team stayed together, helping each other through each stage.
_ goruck founder jason shoulders the burden (as usual)
_ and yet another hill, this one more demoralizing than the last. other runners were dropping, the oppressive heat making the steep incline even harder.
_ corey reaches the top of the hill, ready to run two miles through pennsylvania woods.
_ tough mudder, of course, is named for two things.
_ jack hits the dirt, dragging his gr1 with him.
_ en route to the water obstacles, the team is still intact.
_ jack drains his backpack...
_ ...then clambers over the first of four 'berlin walls'.
_ the home stretch...
_ ...and corey's pleased.
_ sliding into the lake, face-first.
_ the last obstacle...
_ ...the team breaks into a run...
_ ...and that's that! a few eyebrows less.
_ amid the celebrations, we forgot to take our bags off.
_ nobody more exhausted than the photographer.
_ the best beer is a post-race beer.
_ the bags dried out in the sun, showing the most aesthetic type of wear.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
excellent wear and tear.
That is probably the koolest thing I’ve ever seen a bunch of civies do as a team man. I want in. I’m building a team of bad asses as we speak and we’ll see you guys out on the field.