{"id":1231,"date":"2016-10-20T21:09:24","date_gmt":"2016-10-21T03:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/?p=1231"},"modified":"2016-10-20T21:16:01","modified_gmt":"2016-10-21T03:16:01","slug":"1231","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/?p=1231","title":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m a Tough Mudder 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you follow this blog, you\u2019ll notice it\u2019s been a while. I\u2019m constantly playing the balancing game of work, love, life, working out, friends\u2026..and I\u2019m attempting a whole new journey that I\u2019ll be writing about very very soon. Regardless, sometimes things just slip\u2026..<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>But let\u2019s go back.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last month I completed my 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Tough Mudder! I have been looking forward to the next Tough Mudder since completing it last year and knowing I could do better. Here were my goals this year: finish sooner, complete the Funky Monkey 2.0 and grab the bar on King of the Swingers. Let\u2019s see how I did!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Tough Mudder, for those that do not know, is a 11+ mile obstacle race. <a href=\"http:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/?p=1008\" target=\"_blank\">You can read about my first year here<\/a>! Everyone claims that Colorado has the toughest course because of the following: it ends up over 12 miles, it has an elevation gain of 3000 feet and the water is TERRIBLY cold due to the altitude. It is the hardest race that I do all year and I couldn\u2019t wait to prove to myself that I could complete it again. My husband ran for the first time this year and I was more concerned about him finishing than myself.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My first goal to complete was the Funky Monkey 2.0 which was located 1.5 miles into the race. **Side note: I never look at the map before I run. I just don\u2019t want to know when certain things are going to come up. The Funky Monkey is 20 ascending monkey bars, to a swinging bar and then a transfer to a horizontal bar before making your way to the platform.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1232\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=525%2C295\" alt=\"maxresdefault\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?resize=250%2C140&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I spent several evenings with Dan over at the playground, working on grip strength just to complete the obstacle. We also rock climb in the winter. Last year, I wimped out and didn\u2019t even try to make the transfer. This year, I wanted to complete it but especially I didn\u2019t want to give up. AND I DID IT! I can\u2019t even explain the way I felt when my dry feet hit the platform. After you complete the first obstacle, everyone can see who did it and who did not based on who is wet.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Right after the Funky Monkey, Dan got injured going over a wall. The Berlin Walls are 12 foot wooden walls. \u00a0Most people get over them like this:<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1233\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/tough-mudder_berlin-walls_wall-boost_pull-up_teamwork.jpg?resize=500%2C750\" alt=\"tough-mudder_berlin-walls_wall-boost_pull-up_teamwork\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/tough-mudder_berlin-walls_wall-boost_pull-up_teamwork.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/tough-mudder_berlin-walls_wall-boost_pull-up_teamwork.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/tough-mudder_berlin-walls_wall-boost_pull-up_teamwork.jpg?resize=100%2C150&amp;ssl=1 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One guy was &#8216;helping&#8217; Dan by lifting his feet and suddenly let go. \u00a0This caused him to hit his ribs on the top of the wall. \u00a0We were not quite 2 miles in. \u00a0I was really worried he wouldn&#8217;t be able to finish. \u00a0He had no idea what was ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>The hardest part of the Tough Mudder is the mental aspect. \u00a0I know that I can physically complete the race. \u00a0But it is the only race that I run all year that pushes me past my mental limits. \u00a0When I go out for a long run, I know there is always the option of stopping. \u00a0The length is nearly a half marathon, which is the longest I&#8217;ve run. \u00a0But then there&#8217;s the hiking and altitude factors. \u00a0We live at 5280 feet. \u00a0The races starts at 8200 feet and ascends just into 11000 feet.\u00a0Oh yeah, and the obstacles.<\/p>\n<p>Somewhere in the middle of that\u00a0altitude was my next goal: The King of Swingers. \u00a0You jump from a platform onto a pendulum swinging bar and attempt to ring a bell before falling into the water below. First of all: I do not like it when you have to get wet even after completing the obstacle. \u00a0That being said, up until this point I had not gotten wet. \u00a0I had gotten muddy and sweaty but not submerged in water.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1234\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?resize=525%2C295\" alt=\"kos\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?w=940&amp;ssl=1 940w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/KOS.jpg?resize=250%2C140&amp;ssl=1 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>My goal was to get the bar on the pendulum, and I succeeded! \u00a0I then missed the bell and fell in the water. \u00a0I was so SHOCKED by the water that I could barely breathe! \u00a0Near mile 8: my hip and leg were hurting to badly that I thought about quitting. \u00a0The only thing that kept me going was thinking about how disappointed I would be if I stopped. \u00a0I had to finish the race. \u00a0Also, if Dan could keep going; so could I. \u00a0He was hurting pretty badly at this point too. \u00a0We wanted to finish!<\/p>\n<p>My third goal was to finish in less time that last year. \u00a0I think I finished in 5ish hours last year. \u00a0This year we were aiming for 4 hours. \u00a0We did it. \u00a0This is the only race that I ever think about quitting. \u00a0It&#8217;s the only race that I have trouble completing. \u00a0It&#8217;s different than running. \u00a0It&#8217;s amazing. \u00a0It&#8217;s amazing what the body can do and especially what my body can do. \u00a0It&#8217;s the only race that I&#8217;ll complete for a third year in a row. \u00a0It&#8217;s the only race I&#8217;ll be this excited\/nervous for again next year. \u00a0And I can&#8217;t wait. \u00a0<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1235 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14233129_10103658517593519_3395195932218454546_n-e1477019229336.jpg?resize=525%2C420\" alt=\"14233129_10103658517593519_3395195932218454546_n\" width=\"525\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14233129_10103658517593519_3395195932218454546_n-e1477019229336.jpg?w=717&amp;ssl=1 717w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14233129_10103658517593519_3395195932218454546_n-e1477019229336.jpg?resize=300%2C240&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yogapantsdiary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14233129_10103658517593519_3395195932218454546_n-e1477019229336.jpg?resize=150%2C120&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It took me two weeks to feel like I had healed from the race. \u00a0I&#8217;m already thinking of goals for next year. \u00a0I&#8217;m already thinking of how to train for next year if I want to finish even faster. I love the Tough Mudder because I feel like it changes me a little bit every year.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>P.S. \u00a0I bought the Merrell Tough Mudder shoes for the race and they were freaking awesome. \u00a0No endorsements. \u00a0Just seriously killer shoes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you follow this blog, you\u2019ll notice it\u2019s been a while. I\u2019m constantly playing the balancing game of work, love, life, working out, friends\u2026..and I\u2019m attempting a whole new journey that I\u2019ll be writing about very very soon. Regardless, sometimes things just slip\u2026.. &nbsp; But let\u2019s go back. &nbsp; Last month I completed my 2nd &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/?p=1231\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;I&#8217;m a Tough Mudder 2.0&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s4PFDd-1231","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1231"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1240,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231\/revisions\/1240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogapantsdiary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}