Tough mudder

carrieannhitchen

Any one else doing tough mudder this year? I'm extremely unfit and 70lbs overweight but just signed up to do tough mudder to raise money in aid of bone cancer research . Any tips?!? I'm slightly terrified. I've got 6 month to get ready

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

I'd start by using the couch to 5k app. learn how to run and build up some stamina.

Edit to ask, did you sign up for the 5 mile or 10?

carrieannhitchen

10 mile

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

The Bupa 10 mile training plan is good, you'll need to be able to run 5k in under 40 minutes before you start that though.

On the rest days from couch to 5k, do some form of resistance training to help with strength for the obstacles.

Good luck with your goal.

carrieannhitchen

Thank you. It's going to be a huge challenge . But it's for a good cause so it's a bit of extra motivation

girlinahat

Upper body strength will be key too. Start doing some strength training.

See if your local park has any monkey bars or similar, or adult playground type things to get practicing on clambering over things. The actual ‘run’ bit isn’t a major part of the TM run, although on a 10mile route you’ll need some endurance.

carrieannhitchen

That's a great idea . I think the park does have monkey bars . I'm sure the kids won't mind if I use them

PurelyAmy

girlinahat wrote: »

Upper body strength will be key too. Start doing some strength training.

See if your local park has any monkey bars or similar, or adult playground type things to get practising on clambering over things. The actual ‘run’ bit isn’t a major part of the TM run, although on a 10mile route you’ll need some endurance.

I've heard this ALOT. So I've been trying to up my endurance but also been doing functional training. Pushups/Assisted pullups/Dips and tyre jumps.

My WolfRun is in 97 days (September 2nd)

swebb1103

I am signed up for the TM next week - I am scared but excited. I have been doing running and strength training for the past 6 months. I am still worried about upper body strength - I started at zero - but my buddy says there is a lot of teamwork in getting over obstacles. I hope so! Good luck and have fun!

natruallycurious

I ran my first Tough Mudder last October and will be running it again in August. I could only run a 5k when I did my first one, so don't worry about trying to get up to running 10 miles before running it (the run is very broken up by obstacles, I felt fine with only having my 5k distance).

It's true that there is a ton of teamwork in helping people finish obstacles. I would recommend starting a strength program and trying to build both upper and lower body strength if you can. Yes, upper body strength is important, but so is lower body in this type of race! Good luck and have fun! They are a blast!

spartan_d

@natruallycurious offered some great advice. I do recommend building up to the point at which you can run at least six miles, if possible. If not, then a 5K running distance can work if you take it easy.

I do advise people to bail on obstacles if they feel uncertain and there is significant risk of injury (running up Everest, for example, if your running is bad and your legs are tightening up). Tough Mudders are all about conquering one's fears, but you also want to avoid hurting yourself, especially if you're out of shape.

natruallycurious

spartan_d wrote: »

@natruallycurious offered some great advice. I do recommend building up to the point at which you can run at least six miles, if possible. If not, then a 5K running distance can work if you take it easy.

I do advise people to bail on obstacles if they feel uncertain and there is significant risk of injury (running up Everest, for example, if your running is bad and your legs are tightening up). Tough Mudders are all about conquering one's fears, but you also want to avoid hurting yourself, especially if you're out of shape.

To the point of bailing on obstacles. Pushing your limits and accomplishing new things is great, but please don't do obstacles that you're not comfortable with. For instance, the Reach Around. That was one where there wasn't much assistance and I could see people getting hurt if they aren't careful (I didn't see anyone get hurt, I just mean I could see the potential for it).

Sharon_C

Stamina and upper body strength. You don't have to run the whole thing. Many people run at the beginning and end up walking it toward the middle and end.

spartan_d

natruallycurious wrote: »

spartan_d wrote: »

@natruallycurious offered some great advice. I do recommend building up to the point at which you can run at least six miles, if possible. If not, then a 5K running distance can work if you take it easy.

I do advise people to bail on obstacles if they feel uncertain and there is significant risk of injury (running up Everest, for example, if your running is bad and your legs are tightening up). Tough Mudders are all about conquering one's fears, but you also want to avoid hurting yourself, especially if you're out of shape.

To the point of bailing on obstacles. Pushing your limits and accomplishing new things is great, but please don't do obstacles that you're not comfortable with. For instance, the Reach Around. That was one where there wasn't much assistance and I could see people getting hurt if they aren't careful (I didn't see anyone get hurt, I just mean I could see the potential for it).

Yes, correct. @natruallycurious is experienced at this sort of thing, so I would heed her advice.

I know a fella who tore a hamstring trying to run up Everest. He had barely trained and wasn't in very good shape. I've also seen some people (especially larger ones) take some nasty spills off of cargo nets and the like.

I'm not saying this to ridicule the heavier folks or those who aren't in good shape yet. Nor am I trying to discourage people from pushing their limits and conquering their fears. I just don't want anyone to get hurt... and I say that as someone who has done a lot of scary things at races like these.

yoliyoda

@carrieannhitchen Is your even coming up soon?

briscogun

I've been wanting to do one of these but can't seem to find anyone that wants to join in. Maybe I'll bite the bullet and go solo one of these years...

Good luck, OP! Remember, its not how you finish, just that you do finish. No style points will be awarded I promise!

mirrim52

I just signed up for the Tough Mudder 5K in Toronto. I have never done anything like it. I am hoping I can do a longer one in 2019