214th hosts 'Tough Mudder' run

By Sgt. Nathaniel Foster, 214th Fires BrigadeDecember 6, 2012

'Tough Mudder'
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mud Run
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Shepard (front), a transportation management coordinator assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, leads his teammates through the tire pull after coming out of the cold creek Nov. 30 at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla.-- The 168th Brigade Support Battalion held its first "Tough Mudder" competition Nov. 30 at Pig Farm Crossing here.

The event was to build unit cohesion and esprit de corps throughout the battalion. Companies had to come up with three teams of five to compete in the 2.5-mile mud run.

There were approximately 10 teams from the brigade support battalion that participated in the mud run. Each team had to have at least one woman.

The teams had to face approximately 10 grueling obstacles that would test their speed, endurance and physical strength. Pulling tires, crawling through mud and facing a steep hill, were a few of the challenges faced, leaving one team to come out on top in less than 40 minutes across the rugged terrain.

Victory was claimed by 529th Network Support Company, which is attached to 168th BSB.

"I thought it was going to be easy, but it turned out to be challenging," said 1st Lt. Anthony Paris, 529th Network Support Company executive officer and platoon leader.

"The key factor for our team's success was teamwork," said Paris.

Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 168th BSB conquered second place while Company B, 168th BSB took third.

"My favorite part of the run was being able to get dirty and play in some mud," said Pfc. Curtis Matthew, Company A, 168th BSB logistical specialist.

"For me the tire pull was the most challenging event in the mud run," he said.

The tire pull proved to be the most dreaded and challenging obstacle the competitors faced. Teams had to drag a light medium tactical vehicle tire still on the rim about 30 feet down and back.

For another Soldier the hardest obstacle was not the tire.

"The hardest obstacle for me was the hill after the sand bag carries because it almost goes vertical," said Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Shepard, HHC, 168th BSB transportation management coordinator.

"If you did not lean forward into it, there is a chance you were going to come back down the hill," said Shepard.

"Overall it was an outstanding event and hoping to do it again soon before I have to leave," he said.

At the end of the "Tough Mudder" competition the battalion held a barbecue for the Soldiers and the winning team was presented a plaque for their victory of the first ever 168th "Tough Mudder" competition.

Shepard and other Soldiers are looking forward to the next "Tough Mudder" competition.

Photos of this event and other events that have happened in the 214th Fires Brigade can be viewed on the brigade's new official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/214thFiB.

Related Links:

214th Fires Brigade Facebook