Tough & Muddy

Kyle and his dad, Glen, teamed up with our friends, Guy and Amanda on Saturday to participate in the Tough Mudder. The event is an evil mud run with crazy-intense obstacles. It has quite the reputation for being incredibly hard. Just wander over to YouTube and see what you can find. I promise. Anyway, Kyle's mom and I were tasked with camera duties which would have been fine except Saturday was exceptionally cold, windy and rain was a constant threat. When it comes down to it though, nobody really felt bad for the spectators. I've included lots of photos on this post – not because they're great, but because it illustrates the ridiculousness that went on for nearly four hours in a cow pasture near Tooele (Too-will-ah for you non-Utah people).

Scenic shot before the clouds rolled in and it got really cold.

Nice and clean pre-race group shot – Guy, Amanda, Kyle and Glen

After the second obstacle, the much-feared Arctic Enema (aka the ice plunge)

A little later and a lot tired. Also, cloudier and cooler.

One of the many quick encounters we had to make sure everyone was okay.

Kyle getting shocked by the electric wires. They paid for this torture.

Still alive :)

My favorite obstacle to view all day – about 12 of these hills in a row with pools in between

Amanda claimed it was actually warmer in the water at this point. I didn't believe her.

Guy and Amanda teaming up

Super muddy, kinda willing to smile

Kyle's feet

My feet and one of the 9 million manure piles I avoided all day

Slippery monkey bars on an incline. Fun. Notice the water below.

This water was much deeper and much colder, so I heard.

Towards the end when they really didn't have the energy, another evil challenge came along

The big wall. 12 feet of quarter pipe. Amanda made it up. The lady hanging next to her is my favorite.

Guy hanging on to Glen and Kyle. This one wasn't pretty, but he made it.

Glen – up on his first attempt. Nice strangers at the top to help.

After it all. I was super proud of the whole bunch, even if they were a sad, shivering sight.