Who doesn’t like challenges? Challenges allow us to push ourselves to the limits. Physical challenges can be the toughest because you are not only challenging your body but also your mind, yet that’s what makes physical challenges so awesome. They are so demanding!
Recently there has been a craze for doing tough physical challenges like the tough mudder. If you have never heard of a tough mudder, it’s basically an army inspired obstacle course that average pedestrians participate in to see if they could complete the grueling test. The courses often contain obstacles that include human fears such as; water, heights, and electricity.
The course was designed to build camaraderie and teamwork amongst the army family. There is no time limit and the majority of the time no rewards with the exception of self-satisfaction. With that said you would probably think “this race can’t be that bad”? Well, when there have been at least three deaths (two deaths at an event similar to the tough mudder and one at a tough mudder event) then you really wonder how safe these events are.
At one event 38 people were reported to have had serious enough injuries that they checked into the hospital. Another hospital in West Virginia had to turn away injured participants due to the overwhelming amount of injuries and the lack of available staff.
It has been shown that many of these events may not have enough man power per a contestant. Protocols were also questioned when a 28 year old male died from being submerged in the water for 4-7 minutes. Tuff mudder spokesmen have said their races are safer than triathlons. Yet, if you think people can train for triathlons while training for a tough mudder it’s quite difficult unless you have a course you can train on.
I believe when doing these races (if you choose to do so) you should really do your research and understand what you are getting yourself into. Also make sure you take a friend you can trust and keep an eye on you just in case something does happen. Remember, once you sign that dotted line you will be the only one paying for those medical bills.
-Phil