First Time Tough Mudder This Sunday!

I had a great time!

The best thing I did was start seriously hydrating a week in advance. I upped my water intake to about 3 liters a day.

The day of the race, I had a banana with toast and peanut butter. I didn't drink a lot of water before I ran because I didn't want to pee on course (and, also, I was properly hydrated).

That obstacle at the start just kicks you in the stomach...I got stuck behind a girl who seized up and I was in the water for almost a minute and I completely cramped up. I have a pic on here of me falling out of that obstacle and EVERY muscle in my body seized up. Literally my toes cramped up..I couldn't run more than maybe 1000 feet without my legs cramping up..I limped across that finish line...bruised and drained..and I found mud 2 days later :sick:

Drumheller? I will be watching and cheering everyone on!

Be terrified, I blacked out twice on my first race due to the electric shocks I got. Ambulances every 5 minutes carting people off the course. It will totally kick your teeth in after you hit the Arctic Enema and realize you have another 12 miles to run after swimming through ice cold water under a barbed wire surface. Stick together, you MUST use teamwork to finish the course, and that means you will have to rely on others as well not on your team. Don't be afraid because hands will go everywhere..Boobs..butts..balls...but it's all in a competitive/friendly spirit to get people over obstacles so don't read more into it than that. It was by far THE most grueling psychical event I ever did, so I ran 2 more. You will love it.

That obstacle at the start just kicks you in the stomach...I got stuck behind a girl who seized up and I was in the water for almost a minute and I completely cramped up. I have a pic on here of me falling out of that obstacle and EVERY muscle in my body seized up. Literally my toes cramped up..I couldn't run more than maybe 1000 feet without my legs cramping up..I limped across that finish line...bruised and drained..and I found mud 2 days later :sick:

I just did my first tough muddder in August (at 51...I rock) ...it was awesome....the weather was horrible, rainy and cold, it was all either up or downhill (course was at a ski resort) 6 inches of mud and water everywhere.....best thing I ever did.

Enjoy!!!

Thank you all! Yes, I know for a fact that the Arctic Enema will likely be the very worst one for me. I get cold easily, so that is my number 1 concern.

That said, any advice for attire? There is ZERO chance of me getting too hot, so conserving heat and staying as dry as possible would be the goal.

The arctic enema was my second obstacle and was over quick. Luckily, I did it in December in FL, so it wasn't miserably cold and I could warm up. I wore compression capris and a dri-fit shirt. I would recommend wearing something formfitting.

I did mine in the mountains of Utah in October, 35 degree weather, freezing rain and 20mph winds.

The arctic enema was my second obstacle and was over quick. Luckily, I did it in December in FL, so it wasn't miserably cold and I could warm up. I wore compression capris and a dri-fit shirt. I would recommend wearing something formfitting.

The Artic Enema sucks, but it's also kind of awesome. The blast of cold on my muscles made me feel better once I shook it off and my pace picked up.

I wore long Reebok compression tights and a long sleeve under armour compression shirt. I ran it in October.

Perfect that's what I was thinking!

I adored it.

I can't wait to do another! I didn't actually find it massively difficult but I did walk 90% of it as my friend had an allergic reaction to something and had an asthma attack 5 min in so couldn't really run. I trained a lot so I could run 12 miles so walking it was a doddle.

I was petrified about electricshock therapy, (I have horses and a healthy respect for electric fencing), but I only had 2 light shocks [although I still ended on my knees]. Artic Enigma was the worst for me by far, it was okay until my head went under and then you can just feel your body starting to shut down.

Mud mile was hilarious and the best. It felt like a huge achievement and I was on top of the world afterwards. And even though I barely ran, the next day I felt like a truck had run me over then reversed back over me. Walking was interesting.

To be honest, if it calls for walking for me or anyone on my team, I am absolutely going to. I am not a distance runner (5ks for me!). Finishing and having a muddy blast is what I'm in it for.

I definitely walked some of it. The course I did was a 13-mile run in the hills of West Virginia. Most people had to walk the steep parts. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your well-earned beer :drinker:

Anyone have any last-minute advice? I'm wondering if I should be eating any differently/more for the next few days, or change my exercise routine at all leading up to it.

My plan (my team's plan as well) is to really go at our own pace, we are not superstar athletes and just want to finish it together! Any advice on the mental game/approach would be more than welcome as well! I'm a bit terrified of what I've signed up for but looking forward to it

Tough Mudder #4 coming up on the 27th. My advice to you is... Just enjoy it. It's not a race. Don't psych yourself out about any of the obstacles - don't think about the millions of ice pieces in Arctic Enema, just jump in, hold your breath, dive under, and get the F out. Don't eat anything you haven't trained with already - would hate to have a stomach issue with those icky port-a-potty things. Don't wear cotton. Don't do it. Don't wear shoes you haven't been training in.

Bring a loofa.. YeS I said bring a loofa. You'll thank me when you have to stand in the freezing cold hose water at the end to rinse off, bring body wash also. You're welcome. Comfy shoes/sandals/slippers for after TM, a trash bag to keep all your wet crap at the end from destroying your car, a towel to dry yourself. Bring some money! You're going to want to buy food and swag!

Good luck!