Braveheart Battle 2013: Going Through Hell

Crossing and swimming through 34 degrees Fahrenheit rivers is not for the faint of heart.  Running up and down mud hills and mountains is also not for the faint of heart.  Crawling under barbed wire, electric shock wire, and a mixture of branches and twigs, if you haven't already guessed, is also not for the faint of heart.  Slush, mud, water, fog, tires, walls, trash bins filled with water, hills, rivers, trails, hay bails, ropes, twigs, and branches were among the worst of our enemies during Germany's Braveheart Battle 2013.

The drive to Munnerstadt, Germany alone was intimidating.  Rain was beating heavily on our windshield as Jill bravely took on the roads in her minivan.  Fog and gloom accompanied us the whole drive.  It wasn't until we arrived at the shuttle bus parking lot (where we had to pay 1 euro a person to ride the bus...rude) that the weather finally started to clear up.  Though still cloudy and a warm 41 degrees Fahrenheit, we made our way to the start line.

With numbers pinned on our backs, faces painted, and warm gear on, Justin, Jill, Maria, Mika, and I were ready to begin what would end up being one of the worst/awful/awesome experiences of my life.

Justin, Julie, Jill, Maria, and Mika
Before the Braveheart Battle (all nice and clean)

The course started on a running track in the Braveheart arena.  3,000 crazy dressed people were about to embark on something they probably were not quite ready for.  The first obstacle was simply climbing over some hay bails and "road blocks" on the track.  Easy enough.  But by kilometer 3 people were already losing their costumes and contemplating walking.

The next obstacle was a long trek down a steep and muddy hill.  Followed by obstacles consisting of crossing a river 3 different times, once at about neck high water levels.  By the time we made it to the monkey bars, which oddly enough were missing the cross bars, our hands were so wet a few swings in resulted in another river walk.  

We were able to run/slide for awhile along mud-filled paths before making it to our first chance to show off for the audience.  We crossed under a dark and smokey tunnel (and of course we had to cross through the freezing water again) and had to climb up the Braveheart wall, which was just a really tall pile of hay bails.  Then we had to low crawl through mud while being sprayed by a fire hose.  Once the audience was gone, of course we had to go back into neck high water.  Brrr!

Mika's husband and son were our audience

Then we made it to a rock hill called "Hell Steps," followed by "Muddy Buddy," which was basically 5 mountains of sliding down one side of mud and climbing up the other side.  This is where we saw the first major injury.  A lady must have slid down a mud slide wrong or something, because all I could see was her being wrapped in this body bag type thing and all I could hear was her agonzing screaming.  I'm glad I wasn't her, but I hope she's alright now.

After this we went through a trash bin filled with muddy water (something I never thought I'd say I have done).  Then we worked our way through several muddy trails and log bogs, until we had to run up and down 5 hills filled with trees and, guess what, more mud.  Those hills were hard on the old ankles.

We received some water and magnesium/caffeine tablets before heading up this giant hill, which was impossible to run up without slipping.  Then it was more running, pointless river crossings, including walking through a ditch, and climbing several more mud hills until we reached "Loch Ness," the most dreaded part of the day.  We had to swim in the freezing water over several sets of canoes.  All I could really think about was how I couldn't feel my body and how, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Justin was swimming close behind me, and the lifeguards kept asking, "All is ok?"  It was an experience.  And unfortunately, once we got out of the river there was no mercy.  Right away we had to low crawl in the mud under branches and twigs and up a slight hill.  Needless to say, I was happy to start "just running" again.

I will say that only in a German race would we be given tea at a water station.  And the tea was much needed.  It was warm and super sweet.  Oh so good.  Justin had 2 glasses.  Then we headed to the "Firefly" obstacle where we could run in between fire pits and had to climb over a muddy old car.  It was warm and much needed.  Then it was some more running until we reached a barn.  Here we had to climb over a giant hay bail, using a very muddy rope.  It was a little scary, and unfortunately this is where Jill ended the race due to a massive man landing on her on the way down the bails.  She got to experience the German doctor side of the race though, and she ended up being alright!

This station had more warm tea and nutella sandwiches-double bonus!  So we were energized to continue on.  We ran for quite some time, which gave Justin time to cramp up pretty good.  We had to stop and stretch a few times.  Once the German safety patrol came by and even helped Justin stretch.  Straight running also gave us time to realize how sore and tired our bodies really were.  Plus, it wasn't just "easy" running because there was constant mud on our path.  

Along the way we started to repeat some obstacles like the trash bin filled with water, "Muddy Buddy," "Hell Steps," the tunnel with fog (thankfully no river crossing under the tunnel), the "Braveheart Wall," and we repeated several river crossings a bit later (including the neck high water one).  A few new obstacles included climbing through tires and then over a pile of tires, all muddy of course.  Watching Justin climbing through the tires was quite comical.  I was glad to be small at that point in time.

With only 2 kilometers left to go we had to go through a trail of trees and brush and back up the steep hill we ran down at the very beginning.  Then we made our way back to the track and over the hay bails and road blocks, before finishing, Justin and I, hand-in-hand.  We were given our Braveheart medals and ponchos (as if those would warm us up).  Then we collected our hard-earned t-shirts and stickers and headed to the sandwich and drink stations.  

It was a long, painful walk to the car and a sore ride home.  But overall, I am extremely proud to say that Justin and I are Bravehearts.  As a Tough Mudder finisher, I must say, this was way harder and was a true test of what my body could do.  Justin and I proved that Team DeLeon is an awesome match together.  But we both agree: never again. 

Bravehearts, baby!