Tough Mudder

SilkyHotspur

"ran" Tough Mudder Mid-Atlantic yesterday, and while traffic was an absolute nightmare, causing today's event to be cancelled, I do have some insight for those of you looking to run it. Typical time is 3hrs to complete, ours took 4hrs due to the ridiculous conditions and i know some people were pulled off the course due to darkness.

Training:
We had rain...torrential rain, 30mins before our start time, which resulted in 11miles of ankle deep mud, so there was very little actual running being done. Even without the rain, obstacles are at an average of 1/2 mile intervals, so running mile after mile on flat ground really doesn't help that much. I would suggest leg press intervals, or air squat intervals, along with calf raise intervals.

Clothing:
compression shorts with hip padding (if possible), shorts with drawstring. Compression shirt (dries quicker).... *optional elbow and knee pads...Knees get cut up pretty bad.

Gloves:
Mad-Grip gloves work great for everything except Monkey Bars, take them off before, bare hands work better

Shoes:
I saw a lot of people with vibram shoes having problems towards the end. Running on light trails with a mid-foot strike is fine until your exhausted, then you revert to a heel-striker, and the pain begins. Regular running shoes work best, and when you get to the Mile of Mud, nothing will help, as you have zero traction.

Supplements:
The course had water and bananas every few miles, but if possible, take some shot blocks, or gu gels.

I saw some people with swim goggles...wasted idea, so covered with mud, and you have not a single inch of left to wipe it clean.

Ultimately the course is more about endurance than running or upper body strength, don't jump blindly off the Berlin walls...pay attention to the terrain, and watch your step. I plan on running again next year, and if you've run Warrior Dash, or Run a Muck (completed both), those aren't even a good warm-up for Tough Mudder...

Good Luck

RenewedRunner

Thanks for this!! I am running Austin next year. Gotta train first!

Julzmusic

Hey there!

I am so thankful that someone on here has done a post about this, I tried to start an 'Australian Tough Mudder' group with little results....

Thanks for the advice on training, I am stressing about my upper body especially with the pull-ups they really do seem to be taking there time and no matter how much work i do with dumbbells and other weights I still can't get myself to hoist up very well

Any further training advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated!!

SilkyHotspur

The only part of pull-ups you have to worry about is the Berlin Walls...and you'll have a guy (on your team or not) at the top of the wall to pull you over each time. On the Monkey Bars...if you fall, you'll get wet...no big deal...most guys fell, not because they weren't strong, it just comes right after you're covered in mud, so your hands are slippery. I'd keep working on close grip pullups for more bicep strength, rather than standard grip pullups, which will work lats...

mrscreager

Thanks so much for this. Just preregistered for the one ine Baltimore, 9/14 (wow, today) next year! Im so excited!! Have downloaded the training plan and going to get started right away!

GoldspursX3

Thanks for the heads up. I'm running the Nashville Tough Mudder in May '13.

I don't think I can give up my midstrike shoes though. Been using NB Minimus for a year now and I have no issue with endurance runs.

jodil68

Thx!