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:
(High Steppin, from Tough Mudder event pics)
(The Atwell Arsenal emerging from Arctic Enema)
(Fire Walker – We’re in there somewhere)
(Bale Bonds, from Tough Mudder pics)
Take to the quarries in style with your fully customized team jersey. High visibility names and numbers will help you keep teammates in site and let spectators to pick you out of a crowd. Made of a space-age Kevlar and Teflon blend, these shirts are designed to easily shed mud and be 100% bullet proof (disclaimer: actual results may vary). Your Atwell Arsenal team jersey will have you looking and feeling foxy from the top of the highest monkey bar to the depths of the deepest quarry.
Want to keep the team spirit going even after the Tough Mudder is done? Introducing the Atwell Arsenal casual line. Get down with your bad self as you limp from the parking lot into the bar. The shirts are black to create a slimming effect, sure to mask your post-race celebration weight gain. Use the long sleeves to wipe your mouth when you don’t have the hand strength left to grip a napkin. 
Available for the first time in America, it is the Atwell Arsenal’s new line of club wear. Hit the night in style in this shirt that is sure to make you the bell of the ball. Logo printing available in sequenced or with new photoreactive inks that glow under a black light. See what the buzz in Milan and Paris has been all about. Limited release available new in Soho, Orange County, and Parma. Available nationwide this May.