My Very Own Tough Mudder

10 days ago Kirk did the tough mudder in Utah with one of his friends from high school (Dustin Huelskamp). The race was held at the motor speedway near Toole. He was like a little kid at Christmas the night before the race. The race was 12 miles and 21 obstacles. The race isn't about speed or coming in first, it's about completing each obstacle with your team. The whole race is about teamwork and most obstacles can't be done by yourself. You don't have to complete each obstacle before moving on, but you do have to try. Some of the obstacles included crawling through mud under barb wire, jumping off a 20 foot platform into muddy water, swimming fully submerged into 32 degree water, crawling under dead animal carcasses, running up a half pipe, climbing up a 15 foot mound of mud, scaling sheer 10ft walls, running through electrical wires (10,000 volts), carrying a 40 pound log a mile, and the list goes on. Yes, this is Kirk's idea of fun, ha ha. He had to sign a liability waiver, as did every person who went to watch the race. Being 7 months pregnant with two toddlers I opted out of going to the race but he was lucky to have his mom, aunt Paulette, and family friend Jerri support him.
He LOVED the race. He was grinning from ear to ear all night afterwards. He loved the physical challenge and the teamwork involved. It was physically exhausting for him and he walked like an old man the next day. His battle wounds included a huge bruise on his arm and leg with multiple bruises and scrapes on his knees and arms, a head cold and ear infection, slivers in his hind quarters, and a very sore back (which is still sore 10 days later). Immediately after the race he wanted to sign up for the next tough mudder but after the recovery period he is slightly more reluctant to sign up again.
I'm proud of my very tough husband.
Proof that he did it:

Taped his socks up (so mud wouldn't get in) and shoelaces down (so they wouldn't stick in the mud)

With Aunt Paulette and Dustin

Number on his forehead (it was gone by Kirk's second obstacle)

With his awesome mom

Jumping over the wall to the starting line

He's off! And already covered in mud

Crawling under the wires

Waking up after blacking out from a wire shocking the back of his neck

So muddy AND happy!

Monkey bars!

Didn't make it...water was so cold!

Slippery mud wall

Can't make it up without someone pulling you up and someone else holding your foot

Running for the half pipe

Totally nailed it!

More electric wires

Didn't make it

But lived to tell about it!

These headbands are earned!

The dirty face he wanted to kiss his wife with (muddiest lips I've ever kissed!)

So Happy!