MUCH like mud, a worldwide phenomenon has found its way into every nook and cranny of the town of Penola, with the growing popularity of the annual Tough Mudder event in Victoria.
The event puts teams up against an 18km course with approximately 20 obstacles of mud, ice water and other challenges.
Heidi Boyd is the driving force behind the latest craze in Penola and its surrounding communities, after she competed in her first Tough Mudder two years ago and instantly fell in love.
“I was always a very straight forward person and did not get out of the comfort zone,” she said.
“I was asked to go along with a group and I thought, okay time to step up and do something.
“I’m 47, have three kids and a grandchild on the way.
“I just thought it was time for me to go and do something.”
During that first experience Boyd conquered her fear of heights to tackle a daunting obstacle and said the feeling was “exhilarating”.
“It was the whole feeling of doing something and thinking oh my god I actually did that,” she said.
“And that just continued on throughout the entire course.
“So when I came back from doing that one I just raved and ranted about it at work.”
From there, Boyd’s employer suggested submitting a team from the workplace and it has continued to grow going into this year’s event held at St Anne’s Winery at Myrniong near Bacchus Marsh in Victoria on October 20.
“There was 22 of us who did it last year and this year we have 42, with 14 spectators coming as well,” Boyd said.
Most of these competitors reside in Penola and Coonawarra, but there are also some from places such as Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and surrounds.
Boyd said the appeal of the Tough Mudder is it is not about winning and is all about the teamwork and camaraderie.
“It is not a race,” she said.
“You are not working on time frames, it is not about who is first or who is last.
“Everyone helps each other out.
“It is a really lovely community of people.”
Not only does the event help build lifelong friendships, but it instils a sense of accomplishment on those who complete the course and provides confidence that can help in all aspects of life.
“We had a lady join us last year, she is doing it again this year,” Boyd said.
“She made a comment on one of the (obstacles) and said she was too heavy and we are not going to get her up there.
“We told her to shut up, get her butt up there and we are going to get her over it.
“There was probably a good 300 people behind us waiting to come through that obstacle.
“They were cheering her on and she hit the top and everyone burst out cheering and yelling and screaming.
“She burst into tears at the top because she had done it.”
The event has also helped Boyd battle her own insecurities and she hopes to inspire others to take a step out of their comfort zones and try something different.
“I battle anxiety, I have for many many years,” she said.
“This is part of me trying to help manage those kind of things.
“It’s done me an absolute world of good.
“I cannot express enough the feeling of accomplishment and confidence you have after finishing the course.
“You do not have to be battling anxiety or anything of the like to get this feeling.
“Everything else you used to avoid and the obstacles you used to have in life do not seem so big anymore.”
Boyd describes her team as a “bit of a motley crew”, as there are all sorts of people involved, but they all get along well.
“You do not have to be a big fitness freak to do it,” she said.
“18km sounds huge, but when you have 20 obstacles in-between it breaks it up.
“You spend more time laughing and enjoying the whole experience.
“You do not realise how much you have done by the end of it.”
Boyd’s son will join in on the action this year, after watching his mother from the sidelines in the last couple of years.
He is now 14-years-old and is eligible for the half mudder.
Boyd looks forward to continuing to fuel the popularity of the event within the region and would love to see even more people involved in years to come.
“They all laughed at me last year when I told them the prized possession was an orange headband for crossing the finish line,” she said.
“They all thought that was hilarious.
“But I tell you what, now they have their orange headbands and they are so damn proud of them.”
Boyd would like to thank her employer Luke Tocaciu, along with Daniel and Kirsty Hackwill, whose business partnership has allowed the opportunity to be available.
For those interested in signing up for next year’s Tough Mudder team are welcome to contact Heidi Boyd on 0488 288 853.
