When Therese Hancock of Birkdale first became a mother, she was unable to do what she most wanted on Mother’s Day.
But this year, she will join her husband Ian as a participant in the South East Queensland Tough Mudder event being held for the second successive year at Sirromet, Mount Cotton on May 7 and 8. The course is a gruelling and intricate network of challenges spanning 20km.
“I have wanted to do this for a few years now, but pregnancy and having Chloe (now 14 months) stopped me. This year, my mother will mind Chloe and I will get to compete,” she said.
Ms Hancock said she saw the event as a physical challenge that she anticipated would make her feel “really accomplished”.
“It’s not just about the event. It’s about the work you do getting fit in preparation for it. I am more fit now than I have ever been,” she said.
Ms Hancock said she had always valued fitness and believed that participating in events such as Tough Mudder provided role modelling for her daughter, in the hope that she would follow suit.
“I used to ride my bike to work (Birkdale to Cleveland) and we often competed in community fun runs. Parklands offers a few local locations. It is also something my husband and I can do together,” she said.
Ms Hancock said she believed fitness pursuits offered challenge, self confidence and kept you working hard.
“These aren’t bad qualities to instil in my daughter. I want to show my daughter how empowering it is to challenge yourself in ways you never thought you could,” she said.
Last year’s event brought over 6000 people to Mount Cotton, and this year’s event is set to exceed that number with the introduction of two new obstacles including The Block Ness Monster and Pyramid Scheme.
To complete, prices start at $179 on May 7. This includes a one-event ticket, a headband, performance finisher t-shirt, finisher drink and professional photography. For an event ticket on May 8, prices start at $189.
Website: https://toughmudder.com.au/events/2016-south-east-queensland
