So here we are again. The Royal Marines Commando Challenge and another team going in for it! WHY, WHY, WHY? It's tough, cold and mucky ....but it is for some great charities. As well as The Devon Air Ambulance it also supports the ROYAL MARINES CHARITABLE TRUST FUND and C GROUP - SUPPORTING ROYAL MARINES.  This is it's 25th year and it is the fore runner of all the extreme assault courses out there - and it's still the authentic ROYAL MARINE training course which is used every day by the marines. Now THAT'S one to tick off your list! :)

Let me give you a quick run down - firstly, it always runs in October, it's cold, usually raining and it's mucky. Nerves kick in as soon as you get there and you see everyone milling around, some shivering and filthy having just run the course, others bags of nerves and adrenaline as they stand waiting for the Troop carriers. Bone shakers more like!! I'm sure they don't have suspension, you sit side by side and back to back and have your teeth nearly rattled out of your head just getting to the starting line. Then you're warmed up by the marines ....and not in a nice way either, burpees, press ups, up, down, side, other side, run, jump! Then off you go, at 2 minute intervals and against the clock, off across Woodbury Common.

Your 1st obstacle isn't too bad - down a steep pebbly track to a brook which you have to jump into and wade your way along up river following it's meandering path.

Then out and straight into the crocodile pit where you're expected to launch yourself belly first and commando crawl through the quagmire on your stomach. Muck clutching at your clothes and sticking to you everywhere.

Then up a hill and down dale to the smartie tubes - 2 long thin sewer pipes 50 ft long, half full of water and gravel, scraping your elbows and your knees as you make your way through in the pitch black staring at the bottom of someones shoes in front of you.

Then out of there and straight into a tunnel. It's low and you can't see your hand in front of your face. You double over and feel your way through as it gets ever lower, then light at the end and you crawl out of a letter box size hole.

Then onward and upward once more, now soaking wet, clothes sticking to you and mud weighing you down, trainers caked in gunk making you feel like you're running in diver's boots! 2 more tunnels to go then the fun begins.

Down a steep gulley and you're on track for Peter's Pool. Hold the rope as you wade in chest deep freezing water that takes your breath away, boulders clashing your shins and trainers and threatening to topple you with every step.

Then off once more to the BIG crowd gatherer .....The SHEEP DIP. A SHEEP DIP would be bliss in comparison! You wade into water that resembles gravy ....a couple of "Yorkshire Puddings" wouldn't look out of place in the stew like pool. Then you brace yourself to be plunged unceremoniously under the water and thrust through a totally submerged sewer pipe before being grabbed from the other side by a marine who just grabs whatever he can get hold of to pull you out, and you immerge with a huge gasp as you grab a lungful of air!

Then you run - mucky, cold and wet back to the start line to try and finish with a fairly decent time.

THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! But I have complete faith in everyone on this team and we are going to nail it. We're not asking YOU to do this challenge, we'll do all the dirty work ....we're just asking you to support the charities we're DOING THIS FOR and put your hand in your pocket and help us to smash our target.

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