Possibly the Toughest Event on the Planet

That would be the Tough Mudder.  I won't be going, but my son Caleb will.  He registered long ago and paid his fee and is just about piddling himself with excitement now that the event is almost here.  Sunday he will go and participate in this grueling event, with all registration fees going to a good cause.  He has been working out hard for the last year, and he feels he is at his peak fitness and ready to go.

If you are not familiar with this event, here is what the official website of the Tough Mudder says:  "Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and cameraderie.

With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $3 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the prenier adventure challenge series in the world."

Furthermore, "Tough Mudder is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing 'endurance' road race.  It's Ironman meets Burning Man, and it is coming to a city near you...."

Caleb will be traveling about 2 1/2 hours to Frederick, Maryland this Sunday for the event.  I will make him vow to find a hotel room if he is too tired to safely drive home after the Mudder.

You may be wondering why, as his mother, will I not be going to cheer him on?  I have some thoughts on the whole deal, and here they are:

1.  Someone has to take care of Caleb's puppy.  Dogs are not allowed in the viewing areas.  I know, that would seem to sound like a cop-out.

2.  I fear that if I went, I could possibly suffocate in the oxygen-depleted testosterone-heavy atmosphere.

3.  I myself could possibly die of a heart attack watching my son doing all means of potentially harmful stunts.  (Kinda like when he went bungee jumping in New Zealand.  My heart can only take so much stress.)

4.  I do not want to watch my son crawl through the mud under the dangling electrically charged hanging ropes.

5.  I'm sure when he returns home I will hear all the glorious details of how awful and painful and amazing it was.

In case you want to see more of what's ahead for Caleb, watch this:

So, go get 'em Caleb!  Be safe!  Have fun!