Toughguy 2009

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Discussion

Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Sunday 3rd February 2008
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Got the application form, I quite fancy doing this next year, something to train up for.

Anyone done it, this year or previous?

ewenm

28,506 posts

252 months

Sunday 3rd February 2008
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I heard today that no-one finished this year's race... Unconfirmed.

The jiffle king

7,061 posts

265 months

Sunday 3rd February 2008
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I did this in Jan 07 and nearly made it all the way round, but after falling off a rope form about 15ft, I got hyperthermia.... Was brilliant fun though, being in water for over an hour is a killer, the electric fence hurts, but it's the water and wading through mud which gets you.

You'll never feel as cold, it's tough to keep moving, you get cramp and it plays on every fear...... but I'm going back.

People did finish, but the x country was shorter this year and this missed out the slaloms which are killer hills you go up and down.
http://www.toughguy.co.uk/Tough%20Guy%202008%20Ind...


T-J-K


Edited by The jiffle king on Sunday 3rd February 18:30

tigger1

8,408 posts

228 months

Monday 4th February 2008
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ewenm said:
I heard today that no-one finished this year's race... Unconfirmed.
I think what was said was that although people did get to the finish, NOBODY completed every obstacle - there was something stupid like 50 feet of steps you were supposed to somersault down...possibly. Organiser was on Radio 2 (Chris Evans show) last week - sounded absolutely barking.

Edited for spilleng mistakes

Edited by tigger1 on Tuesday 5th February 09:39

Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Monday 4th February 2008
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How hard is it, actually? I know that's hard to quantify but I've done long-distance running, Army assault courses, a bit of fell-running (in my youth).

The jiffle king

7,061 posts

265 months

Monday 4th February 2008
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Perhaps I can provide some insight. I can run a reasonable half marathon sub 1.25, an ok 10k sub 37 mins and can run for 2.5 hours no problem. I have also played football to a reasonable standard and can take knocks and pain.

Tough guy plays on all your fears. I never get cramp.... I did at tough guy. It drains your energy by making you cold and keeping you cold. Your stomach and heart are immersed in water slowing the blood down. Then you have to exert yourself greatly in freezing temperatures. The obstacles look fun on the pictures, they are beasts, and going through the underwater tunnel was terrifying to be honest as there are people everywhere and the water is disgusting.

I loved the excitement of it, the challenge and I failed... I'm back in the summer to challenge myself again and then will be doing next years winter one.... Tough... mentally yes, your senses are disorientated and 600 people got hyperthermia when I did it... oh and 7 broken legs. People cry when they complete the course as they are drained......

The website only has 1/2 the obstacles and they are not what get you, its the cold, the wind, breaking the ice in the water

T-J-K



Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Monday 4th February 2008
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Cool, cheers for the description, I am wondering if it might be an idea to do something similar but smaller first?

The jiffle king

7,061 posts

265 months

Monday 4th February 2008
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Forgot to mention that it is just an incredible day. Go along to watch first if you want to, but it puts people off.

The day is intense, friendly, you see people pull together and smiling despite the pain.

It makes you feel humble and even in failure, I honestly felt like a hero just for trying.

Of course my wife thought differently as I was shivering in the first aid tent and seeing me slip off a rope into freezing water. Do it with people, go as a team and you'll be fine... A bit of body fat helps!!

T-J-K

Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
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Cheers mate, I am making enquiries among the madder ones at work to see if anyone else fancies it.

Last question, are all the obstacles compulsory, I know that sounds daft, but I don't like tunnels...

The jiffle king

7,061 posts

265 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
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Compulsary? Well you can go around.

At least 1 of the tunnels is closed at the end which is a worry, but you will see which ones are free. There are load of people in them but you can walk around.

You should be more concerned with the underwater tunnel and jumping into the water from 15ft.

When you are there, you'll go through them as everyone does

They won't take your medal away if you don't

T-J-K

996 sps

6,165 posts

223 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
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Done the event a few times in 2003/4, main thing what cheesed me off was the bottlenecks to get onto obstacles, you could never really get into any stride.

Also the fact I then sat in a mini bus to Plymouth after!

Dont be to hyped up by the gossip its cheeky is the best description!

If you can get the endurance course at Lympstone organised for a charity event that would be far more taxing.........

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 5th February 17:14

RichBurley

2,432 posts

260 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
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Well, you all sound MMMMMMMAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!

Think I'll just stick to running...

m3sye

26,231 posts

208 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
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Not for me I must say but this may help you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubwfhWl7D3o

and see related vids for more

Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
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Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Friday 15th February 2008
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Looks like I've got a team together from work, with a bit of cash from the company for gear, so look out for a lot of shivering Nationwide employees next year.

The jiffle king

7,061 posts

265 months

Friday 15th February 2008
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Worth wearing the right gear, I didn't and paid

A helly hansen is perfect, no loose jogging bottoms, a swimming hat.... yes you'll need it, but a wooly hat and gloves set when you get there. The best fiver ever spent and the gloves are perfect for ropes... wear them for the killing fields. You'll need cross country shoes if you're a runner, not football boots.

T-J-K

Chrispy Porker

17,181 posts

235 months

Monday 18th February 2008
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996 sps said:
Done the event a few times in 2003/4, main thing what cheesed me off was the bottlenecks to get onto obstacles, you could never really get into any stride.

Also the fact I then sat in a mini bus to Plymouth after!

Dont be to hyped up by the gossip its cheeky is the best description!

If you can get the endurance course at Lympstone organised for a charity event that would be far more taxing.........

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 5th February 17:14
The Endurance course is more taxing you say?
Just wondering as I did that a few years ago!

Yugguy

Original Poster:

10,728 posts

242 months

Monday 18th February 2008
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What kind of endurance is it though? I don't want just running you see.