For Crystal Patten it was an experience that brought back fond childhood memories.
Patten, along with her boyfriend Scott McWalter and 22 of their friends participated in the second annual Tough Mudder obstacle course in Whistler last weekend to test their strength, endurance and mettle in circumstances similar to those faced by the British Special Forces.
"It's just like being a big kid - you get to go out and play in the mud and get dirty just like you did when you were a kid," said Patten.
The 29-year-old said she and McWalter participated in the inaugural season and enjoyed it so much that they decided to get their friends to take part this year. Patten met McWalter when they both played for the UNBC Timberwolves soccer programs from 2004-08.
"We just had a really great time and it was a great challenge and a good way to get all of our friends out to train for something and do something really fun together," said Patten. "[The two teams] kind of ran [together] and helped each other out with obstacles. Nobody's really competing against each other, that's the great part about Tough Mudder they say repeatedly, and there are signs throughout the course that this is not a race, it's just a fun event to challenge you."
Both teams finished the 10-12 mile obstacle course in about three hours. Obstacles include the arctic enema, electroshock therapy, funky monkey and Everest.
"I like jumping in the mud, but, I think climbing under the barbed wire and crawling through the muddy water near the electric eel is the most fun," said Patten.
Some of the obstacles were changed from 2012 so participants who returned for a second year had new challenges to work through.
Patten, a nurse at UHNBC, said she has worked with many of the women on her team in some capacity. Prince Georgers teaming up with Patten were: Katlynn Funk, Alisha Benincasa, Heather Walsh, Melissa Gail, Raelynn Kennedy, Tiffany Fong, Stephanie Cartwright. The other three members of the team were Jennifer Kupsch (Delta), Stephanie Harries (Fort McMurray, Alta.) and Nicole Winstanley (Fort St. John).
McWalter's teammates were: Chris McLeod, Dave McWalter, Josh Staub, Jason Boyes, Andy Borland, Jim Jacobs, Corey Bonnar, Terry Bonnar, Rolf Burton, Derek Patten, Joe Postnikoff and Peter Tsoutosouras.
McWalter said they were surprised by the number of people from Prince George they ran into on the course.
"I'd say there's probably hundreds of people from Prince George here," he said. "I want to set out a challenge to Prince George to set a goal to participate next year. We had such strong representation from P.G. at this Tough Mudder event that I just think it can grow."
The cost to do the Tough Mudder is $120-$200 with people who sign up early getting the cheaper rate.
"You can do it as a solo event but I think it's way more fun to do it as a team," said Patten. "Part of my goal for doing it this time was just to get my friends out and get them training and get them healthy and have a focus."
