World’s Toughest Mudder Pre-Race Thoughts

I think back to 2011 when I first learned about Tough Mudder. I wasn’t even a runner. I couldn’t even run a mile. Just a 10 mile Tough Mudder seemed absurd to me. I saw something on TV about World’s Toughest Mudder sometime later that year and I thought, “Who does that?” Well, here we are in November of 2017, and I am one of those people who does that. It’s been a long journey getting to this place where I am eager to take on things that scare me and more afraid of never trying because of self-doubt. I don’t need to go into things with goals to be perfect. My goal is always self-improvement in whatever form that is. WTM is my 40th birthday present to myself and the experience of a lifetime. I want to be fully present for those 24 hours of joy and misery and imprint all of the firsts in my mind. I am ready to go out there and enjoy the adventure.

I started preparing my gear list for this back in June when I registered. I’ve spent time reading through posts and documents in the World’s Toughest Mudder Community facebook group. I’ve also picked the brains of friends who have done this event before. I feel pretty confident that I have what I need to ride the struggle bus for 24 hours. Here are some of basics I have packed.

• 3/2 mm Hyperflex Full Taped Wetsuit
• Neoprene 5/3 mm Hooded Vest
• Hyperflex Long Sleeve Polyolefin 50/50 Rash Guard
• NeoSport polyolefin pants
• Neoprene 5/3 mm vented bib hood
• O’Neil 2mm neoprene beanie
• Cheap rain pains
• Cheap windbreaker
• Neoprene ski face mask
• Numerous pairs of toes socks and calf compression socks
• 2x UA Heat Gear compression pants
• 2x Long sleeve compression top
• 2x Short sleeve compression top
• Buff
• 2 wool hats
• 2mm Blegg Mitts
• 4 pairs of sneakers
• Knee brace, ankle brace just in case

• Motorcycle goggles in case of sand storm
• Swim goggles
• Camelbak
• Race fuel belt
• 2 Headlamps and spare batteries
• Multiple strobes and backup glowsticks, zip ties for attaching
• Neoprene repair kit
• Trail gaiters
• Liquid Chalk
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Solar Charger
• Small Black Diamond LED lantern for pit area
• Duct tape
• Lightweight foldable camp chair
• Multiple emergency blankets, hand and foot warmer packets, trash bags
• Body Glide and Trail Toes (with plastic gloves to apply)
• Sunscreen in a stick that can go in my pack
• Extra contact lenses and eye drops

• Tylenol (easier on the kidneys)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Bactine
• Chapstick
• Aquaphor
• Neosporin
• Rock Tape, blister bandaids, Second Skin, nail scissors
• Gu Gels – 1 box no caffeine, 1 box with caffeine
• 12 packs shot blocks
• 1 container with single serving gatorade powder packs
• 1 bottle S-Caps
• Blender bottle
• 2 gallons water
• Grocery shopping for real food needs day before race

The anticipation before something I’ve never done before is so hard. All of the fears build up and I have bad dreams, I can’t focus, and I go through disaster scenarios in my mind over and over again. That said, there are some things I know I am looking forward to at this event.

I know how special the camaraderie is at Tough Mudders, and I’ve been hearing for years how that feeling in unparalleled at WTM. I know I will meet some great people on the course and we will help each other both physically and mentally out there. I also know what an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer group there is for this event. I am really excited to be part of the Orphan Tent for my first WTM and I know they will be taking good care of me there.

I have been dying to do the crazy 30 foot cliff jump ever since I saw it unveiled at the first WTM in Las Vegas! Most people freak out about this, and I’m not saying I won’t have a brief moment before jumping where I get scared, but mostly, it looks thrilling and I’m excited to try it!

If I’m strong and stubborn enough to make it through the night, I have a feeling that this particular sunrise will be one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen. I will know I have made it at this point.

I know what I’m feeling now is a natural part of doing something so outside my comfort zone, but I also know that much of these feelings will subside as soon as I step foot on the course and my body and the adrenaline take over.

I’ve had nightmares about finding snakes and spiders in my spare sets of shoes in my pit area. I’ve also wondered what would happen if I got so tired I had to go to sleep and then I either a) end up hypothermic in my tent and nobody finds me for awhile b) I fall into such a deep sleep that nothing wakes me up in time to go out for my finisher lap and I don’t actually finish, or c) everything cramps up and I can’t move again. So goal #1 is to keep moving.

Never having done any activity for this long, I’m hoping my body will be good at telling me how much I need to eat in terms of real food. I have some idea of what foods I think I’ll want, but the moment may dictate the need for something else. Thank goodness for sharing at the orphan tent.

I hope things are dry enough during the day time that I have have more obstacle completes than I did during the 8 hour Toughest in PA when everything was wet the entire time. I’d love to save some energy for night when I can’t see as well or I’m getting tired and I’m unable to grip stuff anymore.

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 40 years of life. I’m a different person than I was years ago, and I love doing things that I never considered possible. I’m always telling my 5 year old that life is not about the things you have, but the experiences you enjoy and the great memories you make with the people you care about. I’ll be living my own advice this weekend.