This Tough Mudder proves that age is no obstacle
Meet Bruce Grey, the 70-year-old legend who has smashed three Tough Mudder races, completing his third in Melbourne in October.
The retired Air Force Chaplain is no stranger to intense fitness courses, having trained young recruits through hundreds of military physical training courses.
In 2015, Bruce and a fellow officer at East Sale RAAF Base were both deeply moved after reading Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, a novel spotlighting the extraordinary disadvantage and terrible circumstances women face in developing countries.
Today Bruce’s team, Half The Sky, fundraises for CARE, an international humanitarian aid organisation fighting for the empowerment and education of women and girls in third-world nations.
We caught up with Bruce to find out his advice for older Mudders looking to get involved and how he prepares for the muddy obstacles.
So Bruce, what does your Tough Mudder training regimen look like?
A lot of old people are preparing for the grave and I’m not. I like being around young people. I’ve got seven grandkids so I must keep active.
I did military PT for years, so it’s all about preparation. You can’t go into a gun fight unprepared.
It also helps that I’m old, I don’t feel the pain as much.
I built my mud brick palace 28 years back and every weekend you’ll always find me gardening and working on the house.
I attend a gym session once a week and I ride a BMX bike!
You’ll also find me playing in the playground with my grandkids as they scramble up and down all the obstacles
By participating in these races, I hope I’m teaching them something to fight for that helps the world on a different level.
Can you let us in on any of challenges you faced in this year’s race?
This year felt like the coldest Tough Mudder I’ve ever completed. Note that the wind and cold could be your extra obstacle!
What are your three main tips for older Tough Mudders who want to get involved?
- If it’s your first time completing a race like this, then I would definitely get some training with a trained instructor. They can help you build your three levels of fitness: cardio, high intensity training and core body strength.
- Go in with the mindset that you’ve got nothing to prove! You don’t have to go through every obstacle, do what you feel comfortable with.
- Race with a team, remember that you’ll get through the race together.
Do you have any goals for future Tough Mudder races?
This year I had four team members that joined me in the Half The Sky team. I hope to race with the biggest team in Tough Mudder history, along with my grandkids when they’re old enough.