Student Steven Vigue seeks team members for hardcore obstacle course
By DANIELLE MILLER
Staff Writer
Over 750 thousand people will experience the Arctic Enema this year—for fun. The Arctic Enema is the name of an obstacle, a 20 foot long ice bath, in the Tough Mudder events which feature a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces according to the Tough Mudder website.
Participants are encouraged to register as a team. IUSB student Steven Vigue is organizing a team of Raging Titans to compete in Chicago on May 18-19.
“British Forces started it in the UK in 2008 and now it’s all over the world. It’s designed after their training facilities,” said Vigue, who has participated in 3 Tough Mudder events.
The obstacles and course change with each event but some, such as the arctic enema have been repeated.
“My favorite obstacle is the Funky Monkey,” Vigue said. “It’s 50 feet of monkey bars in the shape of a house. Other obstacles like the anaconda is a tunnel you crawl through on your hands and knees in rocks and dirt and into a small pool of water,” he said.
The obstacles are designed to challenge participants not only physically but mentally as well.
“The electroshock therapy really scares a lot of people. It’s the final event and the most intimidating,” Vigue said. “It’s 30 to 50 feet in length on beams of wood and there are wires draping six inches apart. They are coated in yellow rubber with slits in them. If you touch it, you’re going to feel it. It’s difficult to get around. You can’t go under it. It’s the final event and you can see the finish line.”
The average time to get through the entire course is three hours with groups starting every twenty minutes throughout the two days. After the course is completed, teams can get a Tough Mudder tattoo and a beer with the rest of their swag according to the website.
“The purpose is not to race, it’s the challenge. You put teamwork before winning. You jump into an environment of fun. You build confidence. There’s mud and rocks but people are still joking and laughing,” he said.
The Tough Mudder website does not encourage a specific training regime however Vigue already works out in the SAC and will offer to simulate some of the obstacles with his teammates to prepare them.
“Tough Mudder will punish you, no matter your shape, size, or current level of fitness,” says the website. “As such, we encourage all Mudders to increase their physical training in preparation for the event. That said, completing a Mudder is as much about mental toughness, grit, and camaraderie (and having a great time) as anything exclusively physical…each Tough Mudder course will have 10-12 miles of hills, mud, water, ropes, walls, electric shocks and fire designed to push you to your limit.”
To join the Raging Titans team contact Steven Vigue at svigue@umail.iu.edu or call 574-315-2878. To learn more visit http://www.toughmudder.com.
