Why?

My brothers and sister and I recently participated in a Tough Mudder this past Saturday - crazy, right?!  For those of you who may have never heard of a Tough Mudder before, it's basically a 12 mile obstacle course with all kinds of craziness involving tons and tons of mud. 
When I was telling people beforehand about what we were going to be doing, the most common question I got was "why"?  And that is a very good question, that honestly I wasn't sure that I had a good answer to until after we were finished.  

 We decided to sign up because we thought it would be a fun goal to work towards as a team and in my case, it was a rare occasion over the last 7 years that I haven't been either pregnant or nursing.  So, back in June, we signed our death waivers and started getting ready - although I don't know that you can ever be actually ready for a Tough Mudder.  

So to answer the question of "why" post-mudder, I would say that it was an awesome experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.  I would never, ever want to do something like this on my own, but as a team - it was an invaluable opportunity that just can't really be created until you are put into this kind of crazy situation.  

I definitely would have said before Saturday that my siblings and I had a very close relationship and they were some of my best friends.  However, post-competition, I would say that those relationships were strengthened in such a way that words can't even describe.  We literally (well, at least the boys) had to have each others' backs and help each other in such a physical way that it created an awesome opportunity to show our love and support for one another.

I had several people tell me before the event that it was going to be so much fun and how much I would love it.  I pretty much laughed in their faces and totally didn't believe a word of it would hold true for me.  But, I gotta say they were right!  It's all about teamwork and if you have the right team - it's one of the best experiences you'll ever have - trust me (ha!)!!

Enjoy the show...

Pre-race

Sam and Dave had team shirts made - the front...

...and the back - pretty great right?!

Anna heading over the first little obstacle to get to the starting line.

...and we're off!

Here we are coming out of a dumpster full of ice - so cold it was hard to breathe!

This is a view of what the place looked like in general.

Our faithful cheering squad included my dad, Mitch, Anna's boyfriend Matt, and my mom!  Mitch said he thinks it was more painful to watch 4-5 hours of this than it would be to actually do it.  I think he may sign up for the June 2013 one so we'll see about that...

First time we are meeting up with everyone.

Me heading over a wall...

....and coming back down.

Again, a wall to climb over - try to find Sam and me on the wall and Dave just coming off of it...

Yet another set of wall....me first,

...then Anna,

...then Dave,

...and last, but not least, Sam!

This was the warrior carry where you are supposed to carry your teammates and then switch halfway through.  Sam and Dave however were quite the gentlemen and carried us the whole way:)

Sam and Anna!

Almost done - only 2 more obstacles left!

Although it was a beautiful fall day, we were constantly wet and unbelievably cold - we look like quite the "tough" mudders don't you think?  Ha!

Halfpipe obstacle

This is Sam pulling me up over the top...

...and Dave managed to get Anna up too!

Last obstacle through live wires...

....and we're through!

Done!

The final yards to officially finish the course.

My sister and I with our mom.

Good work team - love you guys!