Getting Down and Dirty at Tough Guy!

The morning didn't start too great. The cold I had been trying to shake was still lingering and when we met in the morning Jade was having a hard time staying awake. At this early hour of Sunday morning it's hard to get excited about anything, but we were all pretty fired up about the challenge that lay in wait up at Linton Army Base.

When we arrived we were welcomed by a formidable and lethal looking army obstacle course. This is where NZ's highly respected soldiers are conditioned and this is our opportunity to see if we have what it takes! Immediately the pre-race excitement hit and discussions of team and individual strategies commenced. The plan of attack - to stay together as a group and help each other through. Good in theory, but once the starting cannon cracks, the best laid plans can be swept aside by adrenaline and competitiveness.

We managed to stay close for a couple of kilometres, but when we hit the first major obstacle (a swamp bigger than Ben Hur) Jade was caught out by the bog and the masses, while Jamo and I managed to slip through the chaos and found ourselves up near the front of the pack.

The effect cold muddy water has on the system is amazing and it quickly took it's toll. The great thing about this event is that you are never sure what is next, but what you do know is that it won't get any easier! Through wet boggy fields, in and out of damns, lakes and rivers (some with barbed wire hanging perilously overhead), through forests, up banks and over fences, surely they are running out of ideas?

Ah - not even close! The final stage of the first 6km lap a section of the Army obstacle course, which prior to the start gun looked like a school play ground, but was now a 100m trail of physical torment. It was when I got through this that my morale hit a speed bump - there was still another lap to go!

I had lost everyone but knew Jamo was ahead of me somewhere. I had a couple of army guys on my tail, which would have been motivating if they hadn't been carrying over 30kg of gear and still keeping up with me! The second lap was a lot easier mentally as you knew what to expect, but this time I was a little happy to see the obstacle course up ahead, as it meant the finish line was not far ahead.

I hit the finishing chute shattered, but I wasn't allowed the privilege to show this as Jamo was up ahead smiling while simultaneously rehydrating with a bottle of the sponsors finest ale. It was great feeling to finish, but with Jamo making it home ahead of me I fear the challenge has only just begun with 12 months of banter ahead!

Congratulations to Jamo and Jade, as well as Nick and Rachel. I expect we will all be back there next year, hopefully with a few more willing participants. This is an event I would recommend to anyone keen to get down and dirty. Next year Jamo, the title is mine!

Click here to return to our Newsletter.

By Hamish Abbie BPhEd, BComm, CHEK L1, XLR8 Coach, REPs - 22/07/2010