too much?

thedodgeruk

i have just started for a tough mudder
and need to know if this is too much and if so what do i cut back

sunday : 1 hour circuit training
monday: leg, back morning 1 hour body pump night
tuesday: 1 hour spinning
wednesday: chest, shoulders, morning . 1 hour boxersise night
thursaday: 1 hour body combat
friday: legs, arms
saturday: chest back

as yet it has not killed me, i know i need to get in real shape for the tough mudder

tycho_mx

Nah, not really Take a look at the photos. The finishers come in all shapes and sizes.

I mean, in the sense that Spartan Races, Tough Mudders, etc. are for most of us participation races. We aren't going to win it. We are simply trying to do our best. They are not even comparable - they have different routes, different obstacles, etc!

I did a Spartan Beast last June (14 km, very hilly). I don't run. I don't lift (except my kids, the gits are getting heavy). I ride my bike a lot. I figured I needed some running experience to go with the good cardio I had. So I ran 2 x 30-60 mins a week. Did a lot of no-weight resistance training like pushups, plyometrics, crunches, core workout, etc. For reference, I trained on my bike 12 h/week for about 4 months prior and didn't stop riding through this training.

I had no problem completing the course at the 90th percentile. Which is based on the one thing they don't tell you:r these races even the shortest ones, are primarily cardio tests - you run from station to station to do the obstacles. And you definitely want to start your wave fast to avoid waiting too much. I never stopped running. A lot of people would be walking between obstacles, but only a handful passed me in a 2.5 hour event.

I forgot all the obstacles I had to do. The mud was fun. I had no problem carrying things (sacks, a bucket of water, 2 weapon magazines). I had no problem vaulting over walls. I was surprised I could go up a rope. I balanced on a beam no problem, and had no issues with the spear throw. The obstacles that kicked my *kitten* were those upper-body strength like the two sets of monkey bars and the ring traverses. Ouch. That was 30 burpees that hurt like hell.

Take a look a the photos of the finishers. Not many look like Hercules or Athena. They are challenging but not impossible. People have a good time, unless they get hurt. Don't get too much over your head, at the last obstacle, a rope descent, I saw a woman get injured, lie on the ground for 45 min., and be immobilized on a stretcher and carted off.

My advice is get in the best shape you can get (your plan seems reasonable) while staving off injuries, practice running off-piste and find good shoes (lots of people slipping), take a couple of days off before the race, eat a good race-preparation meal (not the best time to fast, or to eat a turducken). Race within your abilities, push yourself, and have a great time!