Local people take part in (and enjoy – mostly) an army assault style course, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit. I am just one of the people who question why?
This new popular course involves running, diving, jumping and wading through muddy lakes, tracks and ropes. The course in known for being a testing event with competitors choosing 1, 2, 3 or even 4 laps - an option for those “Tough Nuts”.
In order to gain an insight into why people choose to push themselves in this event, I asked two competitors why they put themselves through the mud pain and tears.
JB: “I cant work out why you would want to do this, what made you want to be drenched in mud?”
Competitor A “For me it looked like a challenge, something that looked fun, it definitely pushed me to the limit but it was worth it."
JB: "The course looks tough from the pictures, was it as difficult as it seems?"
Competitor B “It was stretching, some bits were easier, but it was the weight of the mud [he laughs] I couldn’t get myself out of the water – I was that stuck.
JB: “Stuck?”
"Yes – I had to get someone to pull me out."
JB: "There must have been a point where you thought, why am I doing this?"
Competitor A “It was hard – at some points I did think that. But you have to keep going. It was so much fun and when you got the end it felt good. I even got a medal!"
JB: "Was being drenched in mud worth it for one medal?"
"Well do you have one?"
JB: "Ummm… No."
Competitor A (Laughing)
JB: "So (regaining composure) What would you say to anyone wanting to do the event?"
Competitor B "Do a few runs or something before hand. I tried to do it without any training and I couldn’t walk for the next week. But definitely do it, it was worth it."
Even though my desire for a Nuts Challenge medal is strong, the course does look alot of effort. Whilst, the competitors tell me it is a laugh and a fun new way to raise money for charity, I sure I’m not alone in thinking – I might give this a miss!
Jack Butler
