Reflections on Mudder, 1 year later

I was going through some e-mails, and found the following exchange:
From: Michael
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 9:50 AM
To: Jaron ; Russell ; Ben ; Kaye
Subject: Mudders

39 Days – 5 Hours
*****

From: Kaye
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 12:22 PM
To: Michael
Subject: RE: Mudders

My gut reaction is NO. I’m NOT tough enough yet!
Starting to panic.
*****

From: Michael
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:03 PM
To: Kaye
Subject: RE: Mudders

If someone put a gun to my head and told me to rank order the toughness of our team it would be as follows:

1. You
2. Jaron
3. Me
4. Russell
5. Ben

Please do not forward this.
*****
From: Kaye
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:04 PM
To: Michael
Subject: RE: Mudders

You are generous – and you might be sucking up.
Whatever. It’s working!
:)
*****
From: Michael
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:08 PM
To: Kaye
Subject: RE: Mudders

I have no reason to suck-up, you’re not my manager anymore.

The only generosity I dealt was to Jaron. I think he may have me on endurance but not on grit. In fact it think I should swap him and Russell.
*****
From: Kaye
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:13 PM
To: Michael
Subject: RE: Mudders

Well, at the very least, you’re sweet.

I guess we’ll see who has it in a month! I’m SO not worried about the distance, but I’m still very concerned about the obstacles that require upper body strength. I’m starting to get concerned about the ice bath, too. (I despise cold water.) But, I can deal with that – it’s a fleeting moment, anyway. It’s the upper body stuff that scares me….
*****

And, looking back, I'm still irritated that I wimped on the last two obstacles. It makes me want to do it again. And, then I remember Balls To The Walls, and I come to my senses. But, still....
I am happy that I did it. I still feel like a bad ass - 12 months later.
Turns out, Michael was the toughest of ALL of us. He kicked every obstacle in the ass and didn't even get winded. He's amazing.