training for tough mudder in june...

centaurizoe

I have decided I am going to participate in June's Tough Mudder, taking place in Whistler. Has anyone done tough mudder? Have any training tips? I will be following the bootcamp they have on their website.
If I fail, at least I will be in good shape and be able to try next year!

djxil

I was about to post the same question for one here in Dallas, TX later this year. If I went now, I would be a casualty!

Staniel_2013

I completed one of these in October of last year in Seattle. They are intense and really fun (depending on your sense of humor, can't see why people wouldn't thing running through live electrical wires isn't!?)

As far as training tips, the only thing I will honestly say is work on EVERYTHING. These events aren't made for just runners or heavy lifters. These events are 10 miles or more (Cardio, lots of it) but then you have to stop and climb over walls (strength) or do monkey bars (strength). Their suggestions are very good though.

Also, unless you walk off the course and leave before you cross the finish line. You didn't fail or lose or come in last. As they say, it is not a race. You do the best you can and keep moving forward. I couldn't complete two of the obstacles but still crossed that finish line, I haven't been that proud of myself in a long time.

Also, I did it by myself (friends chickened out and I was in worse shape than any of them). Just like on MFP, everyone there is help each other and work together towards a common goal.

*Add - Just thought I throw it out there, I'm going to be doing another one this summer and add to my list!

them_and_me

I'm signed up for June in Whistler as well! I've been working on my cardio and taking a butt load of different strength training classes at the Y.

Having this goal to work towards has really motivated me to get to the gym and my only goal is to cross the finish line (without being carried across on a stretcher).

All the best during your training!

GillianMcK

Not a huge fan of obstacle courses myself, but my trainer has done 4 tough mudders, dirty weekend (20miles 200 obstacles), spartan races etc, his advice for the team that they put together is the running being the main focus, there's always someone to help you with the obstacles, you just need to be able to get to them.
Monkey bars I think would be the most difficult as it's on your weight to strength/grip ratio, a lot of them didn't like the ice duck.

Although given that they are aiming for Worlds Toughest Mudder in November, I think they might be insane and not sure how much of their advice I would listen to!!!

These events are a great excuse for adults to play in the mud!!

greypilgrimess

I did the Scotland one in 2012, it was incredible, one of the best experiences of my life (though I hated it at the same time for some of it! lol).

My advice:
*Upper body strength. Lots of hauling yourself over things. Work on those push ups and pull ups (I did assisted)

*Run. They say make sure you can run 7 miles, I think they're right. I had hills on my course, if you do then train for them.

*Go for fun not to compete. The camaraderie is amazing, you'll not be short of people to help you.

*Be aware that a lot of the challenges are mental rather than physical. You can't train for them (like the ice bath or the electric wires) but you can make the decision to just go for it. Don't spend any time at an obstacle worrying about it or putting it off!

*Make sure you gear right on the day. Gloves were a good idea for me, so were shorts going over the knee (they can get pretty torn up!)

*HAVE FUN! You will love it, and you will be proud! Go earn your orange headband!