Worlds Toughest Mudder 2018

 The Ice on the Fringe was too Damn Frosty By: Charles (Gingerbreadman) Haupert 

Preparation

I want to preface this article with that fact that this year, was my 4th WTM; of which was the first event not in Vegas. For all intents and purposes, I was a veteran coming into ‘Hotlanta’ feeling relaxed, with a rough outline of a plan and goal slightly beyond that of the previous year 2017 in Vegas. I had been dealing with a foot injury the past 3 month prior to WTM 2018; but felt I managed it well and it would hold up through the event. My only major worry was coming in heavier than years past (about 15 lbs.; weighing in at a dense 236lbs). This worry however was offset by the fact my upper body and grip strength had never been better; so, I figured I would fair 'ok' carrying the extra weight I wasn’t able to successfully shed prior to the event. 

I am confident, as a participant who does this for leisure; there is no real good way to prepare for WTM. This is a race with infinite number of variables; of which any one can derail you from your goals. This always moving target; makes the event awful; yet beautiful. It is unique, there is nothing like it; and whether it’s a year of personal success or disappointment; further success and/or redemption lies a long 12 months away. I have done this now for 4 years, and I have never felt mentally, or physically prepared for it; even with all the hours in the gym, or miles logged on my feet. In a dark and sadistic way; this race finds new and invigorating ways to break you even when you are feeling ready for anything. 

Friday- Pre- Race Pit Set-Up 

In Vegas, we always picked up our race bibs and timing chip at a nearby hotel. This was always a shit-show, and what I referred to as the ‘first real obstacle of WTM’.  This obstacle consisted of overcoming the line simulator 3000 to pick up your items such that you can go to the race site and pick out your spot; but on the up-side; it was also a great place to catch up with those folks you only see once per year. So, for the past 3 years, the ‘pit’ was funneled out onto a peninsula; leaving everyone to fight for the 'best spots'.

Atlanta was different. The pit this year was an amazing set-up; with no disadvantaged pit locations. Bibs and timing chips were collected on-site; with parking, pit access, etc. being logistically much better. What took 4 hours in Vegas took 1 hour at the Atlanta Venue. The Start and finish were separated by a football field’s worth of tents on either side; which made running through the pit rather exciting. I preferred this new set-up in Atlanta. In Vegas, the site was a desert, with dry hard ground for your tent. Here in Atlanta it was raining during check in; and the whole site was soggy, making everyone’s shoes soaked considering the race hadn’t started. Because of the rain; the socializing aspect of WTM Vegas during the pit set up process was lost a bit. A small price to pay for the improvements made. Knowing it was going to be much colder than the average low, I walked over to Eli and Nolan (TMHQ) at the timing tent and asked their thoughts, “We expected about half not to make it,” a daunting failure rate was expected even by event staff. On our way in/out in passing, I also asked WTM Veteran Rob Greer who had raced in New Jersey what he thought about the upcoming conditions. His response was along the lines of, “these temps will decimate people”. I was worried about the cold, I complained about my fear of the cold. I was trying to prepare myself mentally for the cold. A MN native the cold shouldn’t scare me; but I got nearly hypothermic in 2015 in Vegas, and the low was only 38 deg F; the projected low of this Atlanta event was 33 deg F. I had my fears; and my fears were rational........the low ended up 27deg F. 

Lap 1 

My goal during this lap is to run the 5-mile loop in 1 hour to avoid any obstacles while not over exerting myself. It was rolling hills with 1 pretty good climb of around 200-300’ of elevation gain. I settled into around a 12min/mile pace but due to lack of water obstacles or swimming; got quite warm in a wind breaker. I chatted with some folks during our lap 1 jog i haven't seen in a year. I got my typical 'clown' hello (These two guys ware creepy clown masks and talk in high voices)  which seems to happen every sprint lap of WTM; but this year it was Troubles without his partner in crime Bubbles saying hello. As I headed into the pit after lap 1; I threw on the shorty not knowing if water was coming up next lap; and uncertain which obstacles are going to open. I was also super reluctant to take a picture with the damn whiteboard my amazing Wife and pit crew likes to do; I was grumpy due to wearing too many layers that first lap (something I do a lot.... at Whistler Toughest a Year prior I went out dressed as a damn Marshmallow).  

Lap 6 (2  1/2 miles forward, 2 1/2 backwards): 

Carlo Piscitello from the World Famous Pis and Cox show (youtube) happened to come by my tent and noticed I wasn’t looking too hot; but between him and my Wife they managed to Usher me out of the pit. After making it through what seemed to be an overly difficult medical test where the medic Molly reminded me I had to turn on my headlamp.   As I ran off into the dark; I tried to run to gather back some warmth. The more I ran the more I felt the remaining core temp of my body being whisked away by the breeze.  As I kept on, traversing hydrophobia, feeling numb and approaching the obstacle Twin Peaks I stood shivering in awe. Dreading the wet spray above, and potential water submersion if I failed. Making it across the gap with frozen hands I managed to climb about 2/3 of the way up the obstacle before ice that had formed on the angle caused my feet to slip out. I banged my head into the board and slipped down into the waters below. As a clawed at the rope that was needed to climb out with numbness in my fingers; I eventually made it out of the water pit. I walked the penalty not warming, but feeling colder. As I re-intersected with the course; I knew Augustus gloop was coming up; and mentally I couldn’t fathom getting in the water, dunking my head; and getting sprayed as I attempted to climb with what felt like no hands. I was so cold. I stood at a cross roads; frozen, shivering and unknowing what to do. Suddenly I was overcome with the fear of freezing and was overwhelmed with panic. I turned back towards twin peaks. My mind went into survival mode. I wanted only 1 thing; to get out of the wet clothes I was wearing and get dry. I spoke with the medical staff at the obstacle putting on my best face so they would allow me to walk the 2 1/2miles back; instead of waiting for a ride. They did so, hesitantly. As i did my walk of shame i crossed paths with the amazing Chris and Lisa Goulding; they did everything they could to convince me to turn around; but at that point I was freezing, broken, done. At the time I no longer could mentally fathom getting wet.  Its amazing how powerful the mind can be when things like body temperature, nutrition, fatigue, etc. are effecting you. I was done. So...I walked back to the pit. I started to warm a little. I turned in my chip; and Michelle helped me turbo speed change into dry clothes. The dry clothes were...GLORIOUS! 

Conclusion 

I was done. In just over 11 hours; my watch indicated i ran about 33 miles. I was well on track for my goal of 55; but 3 small mistakes led to my demise. 1. Not enough Neoprene. 2. Not enough Calories. 3. Should have used the golden carabiner. Had I used it, I would have skipped twin peaks; and maybe warmed up. If I had warmed up with obstacle closings coming I may have made it through the darkness. But that didn’t happen. So live and learn. To everyone who stuck it out the whole night. Or made it back to the pit; managed to get dry, managed not to freeze and then managed to put on your freezing clothes in the morning; you are all super bad asses. It was a year with a tough course and even tougher temperatures. The course was muddy, slick, technical, and you should all be damn proud of what you accomplished. Do not underestimate the cold....even if you don’t it still may break you. 

Oh, and fuck this obstacle!