Time for Tough Mudder
Given the recent interest in all things obstacle racing by the general public and the abundance of choices promoting these events I thought it might be good to educate some on what these things are all about. I’ll use Tough mudder.
You have to like to run (20klm) on dirt, mud, gravel, pavement and trott along paddocks. You have to like getting mud everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. If you are the type of person that likes to jump of moderate heights into a dam, slide down a makeshift water slide, get “mildly”electrocuted, trounce over knee deep mud, enjoy and ice bath, swim in cold water and even crawl underground for a few dark metres you should be ok and will survive.
At the end of the line In Tough mudders case , we are welcomed with a complimentary beer which to me was unusual to drink straight after running 20klm. Not to be too anti social and really wanting to drink anything that did not have mud in it turned out to be quite a treat.
On completion your effort are rewarded with a once size fits all orange head band along with a finishers T-shirt. ( plus that beer ) You then look like everybody else around. Filthy, exhausted, jubilant, proud, somewhat energised, ready to tackle the world knowing you have smashed the challenge and possibly conquered some fears, All while proudly showing off your new kit!
I really treasure my “silly little headband” It is after all my badge of honour.
Preparing for an Obstacle Event
Our preparation began by getting the required physical strength to ensure we would all have a better chance of finishing injury free. Let me put it this way. Lack of preparation will show up on the day. period. Like any endeavour this will ring true. The better the preparation the better you will be both mentally and physically ready to not only run the 20klms plus 18 obstacles, but to actually complete the event well. That is after all our plan.
Our team will be tackling this event for the third time and having been through the initial “first scary one” we know what lies ahead, what it takes and now how to prepared for it better. We have a team of around 10 plus our support crew/cheers squad tagging along for the ride. For the tough mudder crew in addition to their own particular training requirements our basic programming over time has been lots of bodyweight movements, regular running and all the basic compound lifts ( pulls, press, push and squat) utilising both barbells and Kettlebells for variety. A solid serving of hard style kettlebell swings was always a regular treat.
The Cardio component in particular with the ladies group has been complimented with Boxing training. ( A great cardio full body workout) Overall the group is well prepared and physically ready to tackle the coming challenges.
With a basic preparation of running along with a solid strength base anyone should be able to complete the course without much trouble. A properly followed program readies you for the event, allows you to recover quicker and reduces the risk of injuries. If you are one of many and turn up unprepared with only a bare minimum of preparation, (and believe me I’ve seen plenty examples out there) You might somehow find a way through and eventually make it. However I don’t like your chances of pulling up well the next couple days or even worse, get an injury that could have been prevented if you just prepared.
Our groups newbie’s naturally are a little nervous but with all our events they will be taken care of by the more experienced among us during the day by our more experieved runners allowing us all to finish together as a team should.