Mud men: Jason Lyndon and Tym Kacprzaktrain on Geelong’s waterfront for the Tough Mudder event in New Jersey. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 89568_02
By MICHELLE HERBISON
Running 50km in the rain at night was one of Geelong’s Tym Kacprzak’s “crazier” training sessions for a 24-hour endurance event in America this week.
Mr Kacprzak has been physically and mentally preparing himself for the ice, mud and electric shocks he and mate Jason Lydom will endure during the World’s Toughest Mudder competition in the aftermath of Hurrican Sandy in New Jersey.
The duo qualified for the 24-hour challenge after finishing in the top five per cent of Phillip Island and Glenworth Valley’s 20km courses.
A factsheet anticipated that worldwide participation in Tough Mudder events this year would increase 20 times on the initial numbers in 2010.
“Designed by British Special Forces, Tough Mudder tests strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie,” the factsheet said.
Mr Lydom, a personal trainer, said Tough Mudder was a challenge and an adrenaline rush.
“We’ve both been bitten by the bug a bit. For me I like to show my clients they can attempt anything.
“You get to do things that were fun when you were a kid again like swinging off ropes, playing in mud and ice and jumping four metres into a creek or river.”
Mr Lydom said the duo would start the event at 10amn November 18 in light running gear then change to wetsuits, carrying headlamps, strobelights and safety lamps.
Each participant would have a tent area to revisit for food and to change clothes after completing a full lap.
“I’d imagine there’ll be guys quicker than us but you never know. Last year the winner did seven laps – 140km,” Mr Lydom said.
