Gloucester resident Chris Mangos and two Gloucester daytimers* Joanna Smart and Deb Fowler, completed the Tough Mudder over the weekend in Gilford, New Hampshire. The Tough Mudder is a 12 mile obstacle course, up and down the steep terrain of Gunstock Mountain. Obstacles included diving into an ice pool (affectionately called the Artic Enema), crawling through dark muddy tunnels, lifting and carrying logs up hill, and running through mud pits with electrically charged wires hanging overhead. Why would anyone do this? To challenge themselves, to break out of their humdrum all-work-and-no-play lifestyle, and for the fun and camaraderie of the experience. Most participants are part of a team, and with a motto of "no man left behind," any Mudder who needs a hand can count on one of their teammates to help. The Tough Mudder also donates a percentage of their profits to The Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that assists severely injured veterans.
Part of the training for Chris, Joanna and Deb included jumping in the cold waters of Magnolia Beach in April, and running the trails around Goose Cove Reservoir and Ravenswood Park. Although they are suffering sore muscles, all completed the course in good condition! Job well done!
*Gloucester daytimers = anyone who is employed in Gloucester but does not live here.
Good Morning Gloucester 
National Geographic did a special episode on this featuring a man who completed the course with his 2 sons.
The dad was obviously older and had some physical problems, his bad knees among them, but all 3 were athletes of some kind.
They finished with the help and support of each other. One of the sons badly wanted to quit, but didn’t want to let his dad and brother down.
The course was brutal , but all 3 pulled together and did it. There were even other teams helping people that they didn’t know, to conquer the obstacles set before them.
From what I saw on the screen, this course is harder than an Ironman competition.
All of the people above who even entered this completion should be very proud of themselves.
Congratulations-you are amazing!
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Hey thanks CapeannPatio. I am still recovering! My wife had TOTAL confidence in me, instead of waiting at the finish line, she waited for me at the medical tent…lol. But seriously, what’s truly amazing is watching those with physical disabilities finish the challenge. It was a great day!
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