Q&A With A Tough Mudder Expert

The Tough Mudder Ohio 2014 is upon us, taking place this Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18 in muddy Mansfield! Some people think it's crazy that I am doing this 12-mile mud run full of wild and extreme obstacles, so people must REALLY have their minds boggled when they hear about people like my friend Johnny Madeline. 

In just 2 years (beginning in April 2012), Johnny has completed 14 Tough Mudder laps at 9 different venues. He has run in Ohio twice, but has also traveled to various cities to tackle the Tough Mudder, including: Florida (twice), West Virginia (twice), New York, Chicago, Poconos, and North Carolina. This weekend, Johnny plans to run the Tough Mudder Ohio course THREE times in two days! We will catch up with him on Sunday, but we also wanted to check in with an expert like him and ask a few burning questions!

OHVENTURES: Why did you start running the Tough Mudder?
JOHNNY: I did my first Tough Mudder to challenge myself. It also gives me another workout besides maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As of the beginning of 2014, I run for a different purpose: it's an organization called Hoorah 2 Heroes. Its man goal is summed up in one saying: "only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

OHVENTURES: What are some tips or words of advice for people who have never done the Tough Mudder?
JOHNNY: The biggest misconception is that you have to be in great shape to do one of these events and that's not true at all. You have to have the mindset and determination to complete the course, because when you cross that finish line you and get that prestigious headband. Have fun and enjoy the moment no matter what. Be sure to carb up the days before and drink plenty of water!

Electroshock Therapy

OHVENTURES: What would you say is the hardest or most difficult challenge or situation you have faced in all of your Tough Mudders?
JOHNNY: The weather can be mentally tough. Cold and rain don't mix well. The hardest obstacles for people are the monkey bars, and "Electroshock Therapy." Electroshock will give you a shock. When it hits you it's almost like your muscles seize up. The key is to cover your head, because when it knocks you in the head you blackout, and when you blackout you face plant. Don't be that person to face plant.

Johnny pictured on far left.

OHVENTURES: What is the most fun obstacle or Tough Mudder situation you've been in?
JOHNNY: The most fun is running with people you know and meeting new people! Everyone there has the same goal in mind - make it to the finish! My Chicago experience was by far my best encounter with new Mudder friends. I was on my second lap of the day when I started to talk with Heather while running. Little did I know she was with a group of three, Renee, Mike and Tom. Once I met everyone I ran the rest of the course with them. Helping them complete all obstacles and crossing the finish line with them. It was a great and memorable experience.

OHVENTURES: Which TM that you have run has been your overall favorite or most memorable?
JOHNNY: I would say that my favorite one overall was with my mom in Florida. She lost a lot of weight a couple years ago and she displayed courage and self discipline throughout the whole process!

OHVENTURES: What would you say to someone who is scared out of their wits about doing a TM to encourage them to do it?
JOHNNY: Tough Mudder isn't meant to scare you, it's meant to help you overcome your fears. So many different kinds of people that are scared do it every year, and when you see them cross the finish line you see the biggest smiles on their face. Don't let being scared hold you back.

OHVENTURES: How long does it take the average person - and how long does it take you - to complete a TM?
JOHNNY: I would say it takes the average person 3-4 hours to complete a TM depending on course length. My average time just depends on length and weather. My fastest lap at a tough mudder was in Chicago this past weekend. I ran my first lap in 1 hour and 40 minutes. My slowest was probably my first TM at around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

OHVENTURES: What are some personal accomplishments or awards you've received along the way?
JOHNNY: TM has started to reward Mudders this season with the Mudder Legion. It rewards multi Mudders with different color headbands that signify how many they've done. I have the highest legion.

OHventures Shirts Photo Blog

A collage of our favorite readers donning the official OHventures shirt!

OHventures t-shirts debuted last fall, and they have been taking the state by storm! The shirts were created to help promote hiking, biking, running, jogging, walking, and exploring Ohio, and were worn by all of our favorite readers and supporters over the past few months! 

Below, you can see some of the fun places the shirts have been popping up, and a collection of selfies and "thumbs ups" that were inspired by those who wore them! 

Consider joining the trend and getting your very own shirt! Male and female shirts are available with the above design for a cost of just $15 (plus shipping if applicable). You can order your shirt directly by emailing mike@ohventures.org along with your size, gender, and address!

Creator Mike Evans wearing the OHventures shirt!

A photo of the shirts when they first arrived - right out of the box!

Mike Evans modeling the shirt

An animation created for the OHventures homepage.

OHventures friend Mathew wearing his shirt at the Arnold Pump & Run

Fellow blogger Diane of Just Humor Me bringing OHventures to the West Coast, pictured at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco!

OHventures contributor for all things Toledo, Steve giving us a thumbs up with his shirt!

Our good friend Emily wearing the OHventures shirt at the Christmas Story 5K in Cleveland

Former OHventurer Of The Week Ryan taking a quick OHventures selfie!

My family (and Slider) supporting OHventures!!

Fellow blogger and runner, Katie, of Life Is Katetastic, smiling pretty for OHventures!

OHventures contributor (Mud Ninja) Corey giving TWO thumbs up for the shirt!

Our friend and Team OHventures Member Rachel showing off her OHventures pride!

OHventures Turns 1!

Cake by Cake Central

OHventures has reached the one year mark and is celebrating its "birthday" today, April 12! It's by no coincidence that this monumental occasion also falls on my very own birthday. This blog was a birthday gift to myself, because I wanted an outlet to express my creative writing and share my stories of all the cool things I have seen and done in Ohio.

I want to thank all of the great followers and readers for their support and encouragement over the past year. It truly is what has kept me writing, and it has helped me find my voice! 

Through OHventures this past year, I have been able to expose readers to the Buckeye Bucket List, writing about a laundry list of awesome activities, including canoeing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, parasailing, ziplining, paddle boating, boating, kayaking, trampolining, boxing, skydiving, wine tasting, caving, running, skiing, winter hiking, urban hiking, and MORE! 

And I have been to cities like Akron, Canton, Toledo, Chillicothe, Youngstown, Columbus, Zanesville, and countless others. I've visited restaurants like Der Dutchmann, Kewpee Burger, Crave, Schmidt's Sausage Haus, and more. And I have written about Ohio landmarks like the Statehouse, the Harding Memorial and the Mansfield Reformatory; as well as staple events such as Warrior Dash, Pelotonia and the Ohio State Fair. 

It wasn't all about me either: my "Featured OHventurer" series introduced readers to awesome Ohioans like Columbus Blue Jackets player Derek Dorsett, Zanesville anchorwoman Kelly Mills, and recording artist Ryan Humbert.

In the past year, the blog has evolved and grown a great deal. Aside from growing in readership, we also were able to reach new audiences by being featured on radio and in print! We were published in Columbus Alive as the Weekly Q&A Feature, and we appeared on the OSU Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing radio show "Writers Talk." Additionally, I am now a guest blogger on Ohio's official tourism blog, Discovering Ohio. You can also find my business cards at the Ohio-centric boutique, Celebrate Local at Easton Town Center, and soon can catch me as a "celebrity runner" in the Capital City Half Marathon, which I am currently training for!

All of this momentum is extremely thrilling!! Over the past year, I have started a new job, moved to a new apartment, traveled to Florida and Nashville two times each, celebrated the birth of my nephew, attended numerous weddings, and the list goes on. While at times these life events have prevented me from writing as much as I would like, I promise that OHventures is a huge passion of mine that I will never let collect dust and fade away! I am in this for the long haul, and there is much more ground to be covered. 

I have tons more in store for the second year of OHventures (and the third, fourth, and so on!). I am so glad to have every reader by my side on these crazy adventures! Thanks again!