Stephen Bowesview more articlesLiterally speaking, there aren’t a lot of things I cannot do. The list includes flying (I’m not a bird), or breathing underwater (I’m not a fish) and I’ll certainly never give birth (I’m a man). However, I’m talking science here and this list extends if I start talking about things I’ll probably never do; Such as walk on the moon, climb Mount Everest or play football for England.
Speaking honestly, during my journey to Tough Guy hell I encountered many can’t, won’t and never moments. With 27 years of history, ‘Tough Guy - The Original’ has a catalogue of horror stories ranging from broken limbs to hypothermia. Many a person has started the race, yet failed to complete (over a third we are told). There are plenty of excuses not to enter it and perhaps not so many why one would. Broken bones, limbs, hypothermia, and brutality aside I entered.
I first discovered Tough Guy over two years ago. In December 2012, whilst competing in a winter trail race, my comments about how cold it was were belittled by another runner who stated that I’d never experienced cold running until I’d tackled the Winter Tough Guy race. Curiosity took a hold and later that evening, and my journey to hypothermia began.
Tough Love
I was intrigued, interested and a little bit in love. Being a newbie I wanted to find out more about what is considered the hardest race in the UK obstacle race calendar. With its enormous climbing obstacles, frozen lakes and the infamous ‘Killing Fields’ section at the end of a 6 mile run designed specifically to break you. This is no fun run.
That was the easy part. Buying the kit was a pleasure. Blackpool beach would sort me out and a dip in the Irish Sea was my testing ground. Simply put, it was freezing, but I needed to do this. Cold water conditioning is essential preparation. I wasn’t alone in my love for TG, no fewer than 37 nationalities rocked up for this year’s challenge.
Mental Tough
Being physically fit for Tough Guy helps but this isn’t just about the ability to run or climb. It’s mental toughness. It’s a mind game. A game that has no fun ending until you wake up the next day in the warm bed realising what you have achieved.
On a dry and calm Sunday morning during the 2 hour journey from my Lancashire home, I had mixed feelings; Namely nerves, fear and excitement. Death Warrant signed at registration, the Tough Guy landscape was amidst of water, monster climbing frames, more water and the famous start hill.
4,000 Caged Ghoons, Wetnecks, Buggers and Dickheads
The competitors assembled for the cannon start caged in like wild animals fleeing from a disaster. First went the elites, followed by the Front Squad (TG veterans), closely followed by Ghoons, Wetnecks, Buggers and the aptly named Dickheads!
4000 runners in total all screaming down the hill, the cavalry charge resembled a scene from Braveheart. The incredible and intense mass energy bottled up could power all the houses in Wolverhampton. Mr.Mouse waved us off with his trademark bravado and sat back waiting for his course to take the victims one by one. And what a catch he scooped, this year 1500 walking wounded with most determined to come back next year.
Following the adrenaline came the calm as each person set their own pace. For the first 5km, the obstacles were reasonably small mainly consisting of hurdles and bog pits, but they were relentless. No signs of drop outs yet, the slalom hills took their toll as the pace slowed and people probably started to relate back to those can’t, won’t and never thoughts. It was too late now, we were here and through the pain of ten assents and descents, my determination kicked in but my legs started to cry some pain.
The Warm Up
This was the only really natural hilly part and had the race finished after the following forest section that would have been a satisfying and testing event. This was the warm up. Mr Mouse had yet to unleash the real tests that would claim his victims and the obstacles that would need conquering in order to claim a Tough Guy finisher’s medal.
The Fields of Shiver
Over the second half of the course, competitors would have to overcome fears of heights on the huge climbing frames. Standing on the top, the view was great across the course but the wind chill was working against my wet body. No time for selfies, I had to keep moving and getting down required skill and nerves on traverse ropes or cargo nets.
Claustrophobia was evident in the Vietcong Tunnels. A wet and dark underground pit with electric wires (toned down for this year). Once entering the only escape was a crawl through a maze of tight pipes, leading the continuous loop of the Killing Fields with the finish dangling like a carrot to a rabbit.
Through a combination of running, crawling, climbing and jumping, my energy levels were draining. I was cold and hungry but my spirits were kept up by talking to co-runners around Europe who shared my pain (from Ireland, Germany and Denmark) and singing out loud random songs including Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen. Why? Because the cold never bothered me anyway!
One Dunk Too Many
Upon completion of the water dunking, a series of four full body submerges in an icy cold pond awaited. I regretted getting cocky singing that song. The cold was most definitely bothering me. Had I been hit by a truck? Was I drunk? No I had brain freeze. My mother would have been disgusted by my language but it was the common vocabulary in the Killing Fields. I had to stop, compose myself, and climb another huge frame. Ever so slowly and a shivering wreck, we had another dose of brain freeze with the plank walk into another pond.
Autopilot Switched On
Autopilot was kicking in. The closer to the end, the more dense the crowd were. Many were drinking hot tea. I would have paid £50 for a cup at that moment “You’re nearly there,” seemingly every marshal said. They were lying surely? You read the stories about Tough Guy and watch the videos, but you cannot comprehend the freezing, burning pain that you encounter until you’re there in the battle zone. So as I climbed the final hill and crossed the finish line, I had won the battle. Well nearly, one final obstacle; Getting dry and putting on clean clothes. That was hard work in my current state. My post race brew was a more modest £1.50. I was shaking but the medal and kudos were my reward for the pain.
OCR is great. It’s amazing. The best participation sport I have ever done. For the common man like me, a non elite, Tough Guy Winter is the pinnacle. There are longer races with bigger walls and higher hill ascents, but this race takes the crown. Golf has The Open, tennis has Wimbledon, OCR has Tough Guy. Long may it continue.
Watch the front pack, including our Conor Hancock finishing in 2nd place below with a video from Mudstacle
