Tough Guy, Nettle Warrior – 25 July 2010

Claire Scammell tackles fire and water as she conquers the Tough Guy.

Having never done the ‘Tough Guy’ before, and having only watched You Tube and listened to other participants I was a little apprehensive and, truth be known, not really looking forward to the challenge. I purposely didn't look too hard on the website in case I saw something that really scared me and thought it better to leave to chance. I travelled up to the venue, which was near Wolverhampton, the night before and my apprehension grew after receiving photos on my phone from a friend who was camping on site. The obstacles looked huge and there was a lot of water involved.

Claire, with 4141 emblazoned across her forehead, is ready for the off.

Race day came and consisted of me signing my 'Death Warrant' and having my number marker penned across my forehead and on my arms as I was told the race number would be unlikely to survive the event!! The race started around 11am by a cannon firing and 2500 runners running across a field covered in smoke grenades which was likened to a battlefield! A short time into the run came the first of many obstacles. This was what I can only describe as a huge, deep, water-filled mud pit. It relied on someone helping you out as it was slippery and high. There were a number of these. The run then carried on across country and through woods. Up until I reached what is called the slalom. It was a steep bank into a wooded area which was taped off to give 12 ups and 12 downs up the slopes! Steep wasn't even close. Tree branches and roots were the only way to clamber up them and there seemed like more than 12.

Once the slalom was completed and almost 8 miles in the assault course started. Again more ditches filled with deep mud to clamber in and out of. There were haystacks on fire to run through. A cargo net to climb up before grabbing a rope above my head whilst balancing my feet on a rope below and crossing from one side to the other. I was slightly uneasy as being five foot nothing I could just about reach the top rope and when a slightly burly man stood on the bottom rope I was hanging on and swinging for dear life!! At the end of this obstacle were little wires hanging overhead. These were electrified! Luckily I never got a shock although my running mate made a quip about them not working before being electrocuted on the arm! I can't repeat what she said but it hurt!!

The rest of the course is a blur. I remember the torture chamber. A chamber going underground in complete darkness. Into a ditch filled with mud, more electrified cables, huge cow bells and finally the tunnels. Concrete and going upwards in complete darkness. Big enough for the average person to slide through. Not one of my favourite obstacles. I then had to jump the plank. A dodgy plank hanging over a lake 12 foot above it! More mud and water when I came to what I would describe as a bridge of logs. Having to go underwater to reach the other side, four or five times. A slide into the lake, a slalom of mud into another lake. Crawling under barbed wire before having to clamber over concrete piping that was strategically placed sideways. It’s a lot harder than you would think as, being round and rather large, there is nothing to grab hold of. It was a case of flinging yourself across it.

There were many more obstacles in between and the summer event required participants to do two laps of the assault course. I finally completed the course in just under 4 hours. I was very dirty and wet and bruised and sore. If you like unusual races and a bit of mud you will love this. I did. However, a word of warning, I couldn't walk properly for two days afterwards and was covered in cuts all over my legs, but I feel I will be doing the tough guy again in 2011.

Claire

Click here to witness a You Tube clip showing the full madness of this event – before sending your entry form off!