Tough Guy 2009

brianon

So anyone get to do it ?

Toughest few hours of my life. Never experienced cold like. Incredible.

When I had to go under the water (dunking my head four times) I was almost delirious !? Didn't know where I was for a minute.

There were a few bad injuries and the -8 wind chill meant lots of hypothermia.

First hour was a blast. Great fun. Second hour was cold and started to get ...real. But once I saw a girl who'd fallen from a good height, in a heap being attended by the medics (it looked v.bad) I began to realise that this sh*t was dangerous. Last hour was ... mental. Crazy tough. I think I'll do it again though ... and this time I can run with the 'Front Squad'


So many memorable moments.

In three words ? Cold, Relentless and Dangerous!

Some good pics here...
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/tough_guy_challenge_2009.html

WolfForager

Plan on doing that in my early twenties some time, looks like great craic :P

Looks interesting, doubt I'd ever be interested in doing it. Working on squatting twice my weight is a challenge for me. This thing just looks a bit stupid, I mean I'd jump out of a plane before I'd probably do that.

hunnymonster

I don't get the stupid comment?


I did hear it was pretty tough this year. Congrats to everyone who finished. I hope you've rewarmed now and have gotten all the dirt off :-)

brianon

/ignores the stupid comment.

Rewarmed ? Tips of fingers still not quite fully back in operastion. Weird tingly feeling.

Dirt ? Still some remains even after 3 showers

Smellyirishman

Heh, just came over here looking for a thread on this so I could link to the Big Picture images. Congrats on slogging it out man, definitely something I'd like to try some time. How fit do you have to be, physically -v- mentally?

Did you do any specific training?

Obviously a bit stupid! The whole fire and barbwire thing? Come on!

r3nu4l

Deleted User wrote: »

Obviously a bit stupid! The whole fire and barbwire thing? Come on!

Barbed wire, fine, I don't see the problem, the fire bit is a bit much imo, purely from an environmental point of view.

Congrats to all involved, I'd say that's absolutely exhausing!
Photo 14 is very funny but Photo 13 is cool too...anyone think the bald guy on the left, towards the back is doing it wrong?

brianon

The fire was mostly for show from what I could gather. It was hot for sure but u were in and out of water so were pretty damn wet. Doubt you'd catch fire unless u fell in it

yhwh

One of the hardest things I've ever done, even harder than an Ironman, at least I knew what to expect in that. I had serious cramps by the end of it and had to do a funny roll over the anaconda as I could'nt bend my knees

When they gave me the cup of hot chocolate at the end I was shaking so much most of it ended up down my front rather than in my mouth.

The cold was defin the hardest thing about it and I've been told that the conditions had'nt been that bad since 1996.

Would I do it again...... Hell yes

I'm not anti-risk by any means - I mean look @ my online alias. I'm all about risk taking..but I don't see how going through barbed wire or running over fire is that smart. Hardcore - yes, great story to tell birds @ the bar or your mates for that "wow" effect but overall, seems a bit silly. I reckon some of the injuries would be fairly horrific too.

I mean I drove off road in the mountains yesterday in the snow and nearly got completely stranded for a bit of adventure but I wouldn't go doing this run. To each their own I suppose! That means everyone is happy!

brianon

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm not anti-risk by any means - I mean look @ my online alias. I'm all about risk taking..but I don't see how going through barbed wire or running over fire is that smart. Hardcore - yes, great story to tell birds @ the bar or your mates for that "wow" effect but overall, seems a bit silly. I reckon some of the injuries would be fairly horrific too.

I mean I drove off road in the mountains yesterday in the snow and nearly got completely stranded for a bit of adventure but I wouldn't go doing this run. To each their own I suppose! That means everyone is happy!

I think your missing the point. Its a physical test as much as it is a mental test. Have you never wanted to push yourself to what you thought was your limit and beyond ?

Mhmm...weetabix

Brianon, fairplay, I was strongly considering doing it this year but wussed out when I couldn't convince any of my mates or the lads I train with to do it. Then again I can hardly get any of them out for surfing weekends (usual excuse is its too cold I'll go later in the year) eventhough they all bang on about wanting to start it so why am I suprised??
How much training did you have to put in and did you do any particular conditioning for it??

Roper

I'd do it in a flash but for the thoughts of crawling through tunnels. It looks mental!

Oryx

I did it on sunday. It was amazing. Pushed me harder than anything ive ever done. And ive jumped out of planes too. i really enjoyed it all especially that mad in and out water trough with all the fences. Only suffered in the last stages from severe cold. Was actually glad they removed the plank section. But will have to do it again to do it fully now! It is an incredible challenge that is designed to test you in so many ways. I loved it.

5 Cantonas

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm not anti-risk by any means - I mean look @ my online alias. I'm all about risk taking..but I don't see how going through barbed wire or running over fire is that smart. Hardcore - yes, great story to tell birds @ the bar or your mates for that "wow" effect but overall, seems a bit silly. I reckon some of the injuries would be fairly horrific too.

I mean I drove off road in the mountains yesterday in the snow and nearly got completely stranded for a bit of adventure but I wouldn't go doing this run. To each their own I suppose! That means everyone is happy!

Entirely missing the point. Regarding the barbed wire; You don’t run through it. Its merely there for show. It may as well be cargo netting (just don’t lift the head or the arse too high!). In reality the simple objective of that obstacle is to make you crawl in the cold and the mud when you’re already utterly exhausted and at breaking point. The fire throws off some smoke and that’s about it.
There is nothing remotely smart about the Tough Guy concept. It’s not supposed to be sensible. Neither is it anyway way silly. Silly is the worst possible word. Would you say surfing is silly….a man on a board in the middle of the ocean? what about Rugby 15 men and a bit of leather and the possibility of some horrific injuries there too! I wouldnt call either of them silly.

Tough Guy takes away the safety net. You put your body on the line for a couple of hours and see what you’re made of. Its what sport is all about.[
Hardest damn thing Ive ever done. Going back again next year as a Tough Guy to run it from the front!

Mhmm...weetabix wrote: »

Brianon, fairplay, I was strongly considering doing it this year but wussed out when I couldn't convince any of my mates or the lads I train with to do it. Then again I can hardly get any of them out for surfing weekends (usual excuse is its too cold I'll go later in the year) eventhough they all bang on about wanting to start it so why am I suprised??
How much training did you have to put in and did you do any particular conditioning for it??

With regards to training (I did it with brianon). Lots of cross country and hill running in muddy conditions. Be as diverse as possible. Jump fences, cross streams and stay off road. Where you see a low hanging tree branch stop for a few pulls ups/chin ups and go again. Any sort of rope climbing would be useful.
I didn’t do any cold water training but I think that would be really very useful on the day. Literally dunk yourself in the sea or a river or an Ice bath and go run. Come back do it again and again! It’s the cold that gets you in the end. You need a good level of all-round fitness and the ability to deal with serve cold!

Oryx

I worked on upper body strength, cos boy, you need it. You need to be well used to running uphill and through rough ground as well. I saw lots of people done in by the run, which is the easy bit to me, if your tired by then i dont know how youd finish it . As for cold, i dont know if i could have done much more, i had run barefoot in the sea to get used to the sensation of no feet , i think the right clothing helps there, but a lot of it is your body composition and fitness.. The ability to keep moving hard and get through it fast.

5 Cantonas

5 Cantonas wrote: »

Entirely missing the point. Regarding the barbed wire; You don’t run through it. Its merely there for show. It may as well be cargo netting (just don’t lift the head or the arse too high!). In reality the simple objective of that obstacle is to make you crawl in the cold and the mud when you’re already utterly exhausted and at breaking point. The fire throws off some smoke and that’s about it.
There is nothing remotely smart about the Tough Guy concept. It’s not supposed to be sensible. Neither is it anyway way silly. Silly is the worst possible word. Would you say surfing is silly….a man on a board in the middle of the ocean? what about Rugby 15 men and a bit of leather and the possibility of some horrific injuries there too! I wouldnt call either of them silly.

Well you've explained a bit more about it than I knew - I still don't see the point of it, at least you admit it's not sensible in which case the word silly can theoretically be used. It's another tool to promote fitness and that's good - but I just think the whole thing behind it is a bit pointless. Maybe I'll have to just do it one day and find out for myself - i probably would if push came to shove being honest. I'm not taking away how hard it is to do and anyone who does should feel great but I think people would look at it as something people do for the "wow" effect as opposed to how great and fit someone is.

celestial

Deleted User wrote: »

Well you've explained a bit more about it than I knew - I still don't see the point of it, at least you admit it's not sensible in which case the word silly can theoretically be used. It's another tool to promote fitness and that's good - but I just think the whole thing behind it is a bit pointless. Maybe I'll have to just do it one day and find out for myself - i probably would if push came to shove being honest. I'm not taking away how hard it is to do and anyone who does should feel great but I think people would look at it as something people do for the "wow" effect as opposed to how great and fit someone is.

What's the point of anything then?! So testing yourself to see what you're really made of and pushing yourself way beyond your limits is pointless?

Oryx

Deleted User wrote: »

Well you've explained a bit more about it than I knew - I still don't see the point of it, at least you admit it's not sensible in which case the word silly can theoretically be used. It's another tool to promote fitness and that's good - but I just think the whole thing behind it is a bit pointless. Maybe I'll have to just do it one day and find out for myself - i probably would if push came to shove being honest. I'm not taking away how hard it is to do and anyone who does should feel great but I think people would look at it as something people do for the "wow" effect as opposed to how great and fit someone is.

From doing it, I think the fitness aspect is secondary. Anyone seriously into events like triathlon does not do this as a test of fitness. Its done as a test of guts. It lets you see what you are made of in lots of ways apart from strength and stamina. It is painful, dirty, awkward, dangerous and fun. In fact the fun part is the main reason I did it. Its hilariously silly* in parts. Its done as an addition to your 'serious' events, it does have kudos, cos its bloody hard, but it is not an assesment of you as an olympian, just as a slightly mad person who can take pain.

*using the word in a good way. Everyone needs to be daft sometimes.

Being very honest, I think the fire and barbed wire and the amount of people who get hypothermia and people who break their legs from falling from the wires or something is more of a talking point then the fitness some of the guys actually have. Basically, I can see this race being shown on digital tv at 3am on a Saturday morning where it shows people screwing themselves up concentrating less on the people who have actually done well in it.

Difference of opinion..

Oryx

Oryx wrote: »

From doing it, I think the fitness aspect is secondary. Anyone seriously into events like triathlon does not do this as a test of fitness. Its done as a test of guts. It lets you see what you are made of in lots of ways apart from strength and stamina. It is painful, dirty, awkward, dangerous and fun. In fact the fun part is the main reason I did it. Its hilariously silly* in parts. Its done as an addition to your 'serious' events, it does have kudos, cos its bloody hard, but it is not an assesment of you as an olympian, just as a slightly mad person who can take pain.

*using the word in a good way. Everyone needs to be daft sometimes.

That's exactly what the brand perceives itself to be in my opinion. Glad you have done it - I wasn't wrong in my judgement!

r3nu4l

This all comes down to asking 'what is fitness?' (The eternal question )

A professional 100m sprinter will probably not be fit for a marathon!
A professional cross-country runner may not be 'fit' enough to bench press his own bodyweight.

Many gym goers are used to doing defined numbers of sets and repetitions all within the confines of a set routine where the only change is the addition of more weight to make the muscles bigger and stronger.

Tough Guy seems to mix it up and test the strength, endurance and willpower of those who enter.

5 Cantonas

Oryx wrote: »

From doing it, I think the fitness aspect is secondary. Anyone seriously into events like triathlon does not do this as a test of fitness. Its done as a test of guts. It lets you see what you are made of in lots of ways apart from strength and stamina. It is painful, dirty, awkward, dangerous and fun. In fact the fun part is the main reason I did it. Its hilariously silly* in parts. Its done as an addition to your 'serious' events, it does have kudos, cos its bloody hard, but it is not an assesment of you as an olympian, just as a slightly mad person who can take pain.

*using the word in a good way. Everyone needs to be daft sometimes.

mmmm. Depends really. I trained specifically for Tough Guy as a serious event. Was fit anyway but upped it again for Tough Guy. The fun side of the event did appeal but I did want a proper test too. I found the course allows you to take out what you put in and then some. Go at it hard and you'll have to dig in very deep. Early doors was fun for sure but by the middle of the killing fields the fun had well and truly stopped! Starting down the field did curtail me a little. Thats why I intend to go back next year and run it from the front.
For a guy like me whos into all-round fitness as opposed to specifics I found it an ideal test. I wish there was more of that type of event to be honest.
But certainly its a mental test as much if not more that than physical one....but I guess that could be said of all sports!

Silly...only some of the costumes I saw out there!

Oryx

Yeah the mankinis were a bit odd. I signed up in october as something to train hard for. A springboard onto other things. I felt if i could do this i could do anything. And like you it gave me a reason to up my training a notch. I had no idea what it would be like, and i was very surprised when i was picking up places on the run, cos i wouldnt be ironman fit. Of course then i got to the killing fields and found my limits.. The last bit of that was a swearing, shivering, grim, cramp filled slog. TG does require a high level of fitness, but its a personal thing, a battle with your own head, moreso. And the barbed wire and fire get overemphasised. They were tiny moments in a huge course, and actually the easier bits