On Saturday, May 5th at Mount Snow, Vermont, amid many cheers & high-5's, Jared earned his coveted Orange TM Headband!!!
Scroll down to see how!
The Tough Mudder website claims that this may very well be "the toughest event on the planet!"
"Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $3 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world."
And here is the Tough Mudder map. Over the course of 10 miles running to
& fro over Mount Snow, there were 26 obstacles. In 5.5 hours, Jared's team of 4 endured cold,
mud, smoke, endurance, frigid waters, mud, fire, snow, ice, ropes,
electricity & more mud to complete the course & claim their
prize!
After registration. They write your race # on your forehead so they can "identify the body". And Jonah couldn't be overlooked, so he got a # too.
Jared, Brian, Demery (Brian's sis) & Jess (Demery's friend). They're all smiles now, but just wait :)
And we, the family, are here for his support! "Go Dad!!!!"
And to start it off, you had to scale this 8-foot wall just to get to the starting line! Jared (center & at top of wall in grey shirt, black shorts) makes it look easy.
They corralled all the runners (this wave of 500, anyway. through out the day, I believe some 7-8,000 runners took to the course). Here they gave them a powerful pep talk & sent them off.
This was the first obstacle we saw, "Arctic Enema". They're prepping here by filling these huge tanks w/ water & ice!
Jared & Brian climb the stairs & get ready to get wet ... and very cold!
Jared's look say it all. "Yeah, we're doin' the Tough Mudder! Bring it!"
One of our views & we made our way to meet the team at various obstacles.
Here comes my muddy Hon! From one obstacle to the next! At least he's smiling.
This was called the "Electric Eel". Hanging above them about 6 inches above the water are wires that spit out a current at sporadic intervals while you're mushing thru the muddy water. Great fun.
At the top of "Cliff Hanger". That is one steep hill! Jared gets a handshake & a smile from Jonah! What was really cool was that Jared said it gave him renewed energy & endurance to go on whenever he'd see the boys & me waiting to greet him at different obstacles. I'm so glad we all got to go & experience this with him!! I was so proud watching him, too!!
Jared's on the farthest wire, in all grey/black, kinda off center, to the right. (right in front of the random person standing/walking thru the woods w/ a blue bag) This is called, "Dong Dangler". He made it all the way across this freezing cold lake suspended on a 25-yard (?) rope without falling off! Most people didn't make it 1/2 way without losing their grip on the rope & either swimming thru the arctic waters or shimmying across the rope w/ just their hands on.
"We just survived the Dong Dangler!!! Fist bump!"
Jared & Brian - BFF's :)
At the top of "Everest" - a 15-foot (?) half-pipe that you had to run/climb your way up. After these two made it up, they stayed at the top to help others make it there, too.
And - right before the finish line - you've got to endure "Electroshock Therapy". Yes, those are live wires, although I don't think that every single one shocks you. But still. No thanks for me. It was amazing watching Jared compete!!!!
At the finish line, Jared's looking back to find Brian.
"Yay, we're done!! I mean, yay, we did it!!"
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