eKourier July 2013

FEATURES

Tough Mudder – Probably T

container filled with tonnes of ice isn’t everyone’s idea of how best to spend a Saturday but You know when you have to sign a death waiver it’s going to be good… right? As a Tough Mudder I Pledge that…….. • I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge • I put team work and camaraderie before my course time. The Tough Mudder culture is outstanding. Everyone lived and breathed it, no complaints just camaraderie and people helping people.

S wimming across a 40 foot for a team of enthusiastic Kennardians that’s exactly what we did. Described as probably “The Toughest Event on the Planet” the 20km course designed by British Special Forces aims to test your all round strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie and they weren’t lying! Not knowing how the day would play out definitely created some nerves. As we lined up ready to start the MC announces 15km of the 20km course is all up hill (a little detail that was missing in the glossy brochure). Too late to abort our team and hundreds of others got down on one knee and recited the pledge!

It was a refreshing reminder of what can be achieved when we believe and challenge ourselves.

• I do not whine – kids whine • I will help my fellow Mudders complete the course • I will overcome all fears.

I for one was thrilled to be a part of it!

After a few hoorahs we shook hands with our fellow Mudders (like we were going into battle), we were nervously excited but ready for whatever was thrown our way. We conquered mud crawls, ice baths, electric shocks, mud tunnels, stacked hay bales, inclining monkey bars over water, 5 metre diving platforms and a large half pipe called Everest! In true Kennards spirit our team was positively vocal with many loud OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE’s and give us a K give us an E give us an N and so forth. When things got hard we replaced running with shuffling and then shuffling with walking but we finished and stayed true to our pledge. We high five’d other teams, stuck together, encouraged and laughed as we worked our way towards the finish line. We survived and accomplished more than we thought we could. The buzz and satisfaction of crossing the finish line was amazing and definitely excelled everyone’s expectations.

Spot the KSS team in the official video – hint look for the orange! http://toughmudder.com/videos/ sydney-autumn-2013/ Fiona Harding Business Development Manager

Kennards Kourier July 2013

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