A Month Out From My Tough Mudder, Tips?

MysticRealm
MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm actually less than a month out from my Tough Mudder and am looking for any 'last minute tips' to get as prepared as possible.
I currently run 5km twice a week, 7-8km twice a week, and a long run once a week (I have done two 12km and two 16km long runs). Should I bump my long runs up to 18km yet or do you think 16km long runs are far enough?
I also do 2-3 days of Stronglifts 5X5 a week, and also work on my pull ups each time. Pull ups are a recent addition and I can only barely get 2 done (with what I believe is proper form) then I do a few where I go as high as I can and hold for 10 seconds).

I did a 5km obstacle course race (my first organized run ever) 3 weeks back (ran the whole thing, completed all the obstacles with help on 2 of the bigger walls, finished in about 45mins), and have another 5km obstacle course race on sunday this week.
What should the week before the race look like workout wise. How many runs, how long of runs, and on what days should I do them (race is on a saturday)? What days should I lift? I don't want to be too tired or sore on race day but don't want to feel unprepared either.

From what I understand carbs are good the night before a race, but what should I eat in the morning? I normally don't have breakfast at all so not sure what I should do. I race at 9am, and it's an hour and a half drive from my house plus getting there early enough to get my race packet and stuff before hand so I should have time to digest. If I eat something at home/on the way should I also eat a small something closer to race time?
I hear they have water and food stations along the way. What type of food do they offer (I don't like bananas but I think that's a pretty common one to have at races!)?

Any other tips or tricks about preparing or running the course?

Replies

  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    Every ones body reacts differently to such activities/food intake.
    My suggestion is to do a few practise events on your own using the same timeline. When I did the local Heritage run 10km, 8:30am start, my breakfast was a banana, yogurt, cheese and 1/2 liter of water at 7:00. This is what I found worked for me after 4 different test runs. Not to heavy - has never caused me digestive troubles.

    Sometimes we become our worst enemies by over thinking.
  • dinsfamily
    dinsfamily Posts: 84 Member
    I just did my first one in May and didn't train for it as much as I had planned. I was pretty worried going in, but ended up doing every obstacle (just fell off one obstacle and got a little swim in, but completed the rest) and felt great finishing.

    I always take it a little easier the week before a race and eat just a little bit extra the night before. Basically the same as I do for my half-marathons worked for the TM as well.

    Have fun!! We had a blast and can't wait to do more!!!
  • kristinareisinger
    kristinareisinger Posts: 37 Member
    I have done 2 TM and you sound very prepared.
    There's no need to worry about running. The obstacles really break it up and depending on where you live, the steep/rugged terrain will slow you down to a walk sometimes anyway.
    Don't worry about the obstacles - its really so much more FUN than you can imagine.
    Except for Arctic Enema. That's not fun anyway you look at it. Here's my advice - make sure you slow up and catch your breath before you jump in because as soon as you get out of that ice water you are going to need to run hard for at least a half mile before you finally feel warmed up again. And don't dillydally while you are in the dumpster. Get in and get out FAST!
    Take warm dry comfortable clothes and several towels for cleaning up and changing. Take a bar of soap for the "shower" afterwards. Its a glorified hose, but you'll be glad to use it.
    I find chunky peanut butter on apple slices is the best pre-race breakfast for. me. Definitely eat something high in calories but that doesn't put a lot of food in your stomach. You want your body's energy to go to your muscles not your digestion. And they have bananas but other things as well. Take an extra gu or some sports beans with you just in case.
    Have a blast - its like they built an adult-sized playground just for you that weekend. So go with the mindset that you are going to go play - really hard and really muddy.
  • dinsfamily
    dinsfamily Posts: 84 Member
    kristinareisinger wrote: »
    I have done 2 TM and you sound very prepared.
    There's no need to worry about running. The obstacles really break it up and depending on where you live, the steep/rugged terrain will slow you down to a walk sometimes anyway.
    Don't worry about the obstacles - its really so much more FUN than you can imagine.
    Except for Arctic Enema. That's not fun anyway you look at it. Here's my advice - make sure you slow up and catch your breath before you jump in because as soon as you get out of that ice water you are going to need to run hard for at least a half mile before you finally feel warmed up again. And don't dillydally while you are in the dumpster. Get in and get out FAST!
    Take warm dry comfortable clothes and several towels for cleaning up and changing. Take a bar of soap for the "shower" afterwards. Its a glorified hose, but you'll be glad to use it.
    I find chunky peanut butter on apple slices is the best pre-race breakfast for. me. Definitely eat something high in calories but that doesn't put a lot of food in your stomach. You want your body's energy to go to your muscles not your digestion. And they have bananas but other things as well. Take an extra gu or some sports beans with you just in case.
    Have a blast - its like they built an adult-sized playground just for you that weekend. So go with the mindset that you are going to go play - really hard and really muddy.

    Ooooh...that arctic enema. I've done other obstacle races with cold water, but TM knows how to bring it. That was something else. After that, I had one running pace...slow. The people were probably even more fun than the obstacles! Love the TM community.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Thanks guys. The arctic enema is definitely an obstacle I am NOT looking forward to, but I have already made up my mind I will be at least attempting every single obstacle. (and hopefully being able to complete most of them!)
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Carb loading is part of the taper, rather than the night before.

    Over the week reduce your training volume but keep the intensity high. Eat more over that period to restore glycogen.

    If you wait until the night before you just carry unprocessed food around in your gut.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Ok, thanks, I have no problem carb loading! ;)
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