Back in September 2006 myself (Luke Mulligan) & Mike Williams (also at Shire) decided to enter the Tough Guy 2007 challenge.  The original inspiration to enter was an article that I read, in the weekend FT magazine of all places, a few years ago.  I kept the article but never seemed to get around to entering...

I did quite a lot of training in the months leading up to Christmas alternating between 6, 8 and 10 mile circuits.  However, January 2007 was unbelievably busy at Shire with a mixture of personal tax returns and a lot of limited company work, and even a funding proposal for a VC investment! (which we're hopefully about to complete) Altogether it was a record month for Shire - and I'd like to thank the staff for their dedication throughout the month.  However, it certainly didn't help the training - both Mike and myself worked all day on the Saturday before the race - but I'd been clocking some good times on my weekend runs and felt pretty confident.  

Tough Guy is a race of two halves.  The first half involves a fell run of 'approximately' eight 'country' miles. Despite some pretty steep hills I felt strong over this part and moved quite far up the field.  What came next was the 26 obstacle assault course, which was uncomfortable, very cold and sometimes unnerving test of physical and mental strength.  I think the pictures convey this - particularly my wincing at the end .

The important thing is that we have so far raised over £2,000 for the Leicester based charity Wishes 4 Kids, providing special treats for terminally ill children.  We're keeping the fundraising open for as long as possible, so if you've not managed to sponsor us click on the 'contact us' page and let us know how much you'd like to pledge.

Enjoy the photos, they bring back some vivid memories for Mike and myself!  If anyone has the balls to join us next year let us know - and start training now!

Luke

	After the fell run, most of the obstacles involved water and a lot of mud or height!
	Mike, in the (only just) luminous green entering the obstacle course
	Luke, trying not to fall in.   If you look carefully you can see two lunatics in the background who did the race wearing just a thong!
	Luke under the barbed wire - cramp starting to set in at this point.
	Mike following through (so to speak) with a bit more traffic.  The guy to his left only just got through, after Mike had to unhook him!!!
	Luke just emerging from the water and not looking too happy!
	Mike scaling one of the log walls.  There were a series of three walls: 2m, 3m and 4m.  Tough Guys are supposed to 'shin up' them without using the ropes...
	Through the 'Fiery Holes'... 3 chest deep ditches filled with a thick slurry of mud, water and hay; separated by islands with bales of straw set alight. Nice.
	The 'Vietcong Tunnels'.  An underground crawl through fifty feet of old sewage pipes.  Choose your tunnel carefully as at least one is a dead-end!
	The underwater swim.  Pitch black and freezing cold - you are completely dazed when you surface.
	The 'Brandenburg Gate'.  40 feet up the cargo net, across and down again.  Luke cramped again at the top and had to have one of the safety guys stretch it out before he could descend the other side . Not pleasant descending40 feet with cramp!
	Not many get across without experiencing the water...
	Mike on the run again.
	Luke in the water (middle, wearing the not so luminous yellow).
	Mike about to traverse the rafts...  looking a bit weary?
	They say a photograph never lies...
	Luke at the finish line (below the red arrow!)
	Luke, immediately after the race, looking shell shocked.
	Mike at the finish.
	The proud idiots with their medals.  Within 10 minutes there was talk about signing up for next year....
	Feeling human again.  Feeling great for completing the course.

Shire House, 4 Long St. Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, LE9 4DQ Tel: 01455 271111 Fax: 01455 271341