Tough Mudder 2016

As a team, we’ve taken part in Tough Mudder since 2013 and each year we’ve somehow managed to convince and gain new recruits. This year was no exception.

After being told (not asked!), I reluctantly agreed to the challenge. A couple of the usual go-to team leaders and triple Legionnaire headband owners were unfortunately unable to make it this year, due to our Mage Titans USA event which took place at the same time. Suspiciously, it was these same people that signed us up. The fear began to kick in and our initial thoughts were who was going to shout at us to carry on, or give us a leg up over an obstacle? Nonetheless, we began our training and signed our waivers … there was no going back.

Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile, 22 + obstacle mud run designed by British Special Forces to challenge the toughest of the tough. The course requires physical strength, stamina and most importantly mental grit; overcoming fears is a definitely a huge part of Tough Mudder. It’s certainly not a challenge for the faint hearted.

So, why did we do it?

Teamwork is a huge part of our DNA here at Space 48 and Tough Mudder truly does epitomise this. It’s not a race, it’s a challenge, and we believe that the strength of one person is nothing compared to the power of a team. Throughout the course I was truly surprised by people’s willingness to help one another outside of their immediate team groups, and even as a first time Mudder I was also pleased to be able to offer my help. I went with an awesome group of people who spurred on and motivated each other right to the finish line. Our Project Manager Jake, even let us stand on his head, and if that’s not teamwork I don’t know what is! Not only has Tough Mudder strengthened us physically but it has also strengthened our relationships with our fellow colleagues.

Despite being submerged in mud, shivering from the Arctic Enema ice obstacle and being covered in cuts and bruises, it’s this teamwork that really makes Tough Mudder enjoyable.

Aside from reinforcing one of our core values, we also wanted to use Tough Mudder as a way of helping our local community. We managed to get sponsored for our efforts and we were able to raise money for a local and well deserving cause, Warrington Hospital Children’s ward.

This Monday morning was a little different to our usual Monday’s, and feeling a huge sense of reward, we hobbled into the office to excitedly share our Tough Mudder stories with the rest of the team. We recommend other companies to ditch the meeting room and take on Tough Mudder!