The Atwell Arsenal assembled at the Great Northern Mall before the sun was up. Our fearless leader Bob-o-licious volunteered the services of his SUV since it could fit the whole pack of crazy in one car. Sears was gracious enough to keep an eye on our cars while we were gone.
(The Atwell Arsenal – Steve, Bob, Erick, Tim, Dan, Justin)
Nerves tensed and stomachs churned as we drove the half-hour to the Ford plant where everyone would be parking. We joked to lighten the air, but anyone on the team who said they weren’t at least a little apprehensive of what the day might hold would be a liar. Would the weather hold? How cold would that water be? Would our legs last through those long miles?
The parking lot was abuzz as we gathered the last of our gear and made the hike to the shuttle bus. Rhianna and Chris Brown pumped from the speakers. Not the most traditional Tough Mudder music, but it worked in a pinch. As the bus neared the course, we craned our necks like excited school kids on a field trip. We could see glimpses of obstacles just through the woods. Black and orange flagging marked portions of the course that ran along the road. And then we arrived: Tough Mudder basecamp.
Registration was quick and painless thanks to arriving so early. We picked up our packets, pinned on numbers, and got the ceremonial forehead number inscribed from Sharpie wielding volunteers.
The Atwell Arsenal stretched and prepared. A big screen overhead showed G.I. Joe 2 trailer on a loop. Jicha took a couple of turns at the keg toss, trying to knock over wood cut outs of Fabio, Mini Me, and Keanu Reeves.
From the stage an MC both directed traffic, offered tips, and kept the atmosphere light. “It's now or never 8:00 wave. If you're not in the starting corral by now, you might as well get back on the shuttle bus and go home. Also, if you're walking around in a pair of those weird separated five-toe shoes please be aware that you are creeping the rest of us out. I don't know what was going on in your regular shoes that you had to separate everybody, but maybe you need to sort those issues out.”
(warming up)
We heard the national anthem being played at the starting line for the 8:00 wave and stood at attention. The MC remarked as the first wave of 600 took off, “Look at them go. Like a bunch of baby sea turtles. Most of them aren't going to make it.”
(The Atwell Arsenal – Steve, Bob, Erick, Tim, Dan, Justin)Nerves tensed and stomachs churned as we drove the half-hour to the Ford plant where everyone would be parking. We joked to lighten the air, but anyone on the team who said they weren’t at least a little apprehensive of what the day might hold would be a liar. Would the weather hold? How cold would that water be? Would our legs last through those long miles?
The parking lot was abuzz as we gathered the last of our gear and made the hike to the shuttle bus. Rhianna and Chris Brown pumped from the speakers. Not the most traditional Tough Mudder music, but it worked in a pinch. As the bus neared the course, we craned our necks like excited school kids on a field trip. We could see glimpses of obstacles just through the woods. Black and orange flagging marked portions of the course that ran along the road. And then we arrived: Tough Mudder basecamp.
Registration was quick and painless thanks to arriving so early. We picked up our packets, pinned on numbers, and got the ceremonial forehead number inscribed from Sharpie wielding volunteers.The Atwell Arsenal stretched and prepared. A big screen overhead showed G.I. Joe 2 trailer on a loop. Jicha took a couple of turns at the keg toss, trying to knock over wood cut outs of Fabio, Mini Me, and Keanu Reeves.
From the stage an MC both directed traffic, offered tips, and kept the atmosphere light. “It's now or never 8:00 wave. If you're not in the starting corral by now, you might as well get back on the shuttle bus and go home. Also, if you're walking around in a pair of those weird separated five-toe shoes please be aware that you are creeping the rest of us out. I don't know what was going on in your regular shoes that you had to separate everybody, but maybe you need to sort those issues out.”
(warming up)We heard the national anthem being played at the starting line for the 8:00 wave and stood at attention. The MC remarked as the first wave of 600 took off, “Look at them go. Like a bunch of baby sea turtles. Most of them aren't going to make it.”
The quest continues:
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