Tough Mudder

I have done several.

First... kudos to you for deciding to train for this event. I've met too many people who were out of shape (or marginally in shape) and who decided to jump in without any training. You can survive the event under such circumstances, but I certainly wouldn't recommend taking this approach. You'd be in for a world of pain, and you'd be more likely to injure yourself. (I'm not just speaking hypothetically. I know one guy who tore a hamstring, for example, because he was pretty much a couch potato attempting this challenge.)

I'd say the most important first step is to make sure that you can run for at least eight miles straight. The Tough Mudder folks recommend at least six miles, but I think that aiming for eight miles would be more realistic if you want to avoid too much suffering. You don't have to run fast; just make sure that you're running.

Depending on the locale, some hill work would be good, too. Also, if the trail is very muddy, it will put a lot of stress on leg abductors, adductors, and other stabilizer muscles. Better strengthen your legs up in general and put in some trail running for good measure.

There will be some climbing, so try to work on your lats and biceps. Pull-ups are one of the best ways to prepare. So is core work. Push-ups would be good too, but they wouldn't be as helpful.

I am also signed up for Tough Mudder, as well as Battlefrog and Spartan. I have done OCR's in the past, and have found that upper body is a must. I do weightlifting twice a week, a trail run once a week, lots and lots of calisthenics, and the rest is running on the treadmill or swimming laps. I highly recommend doing a trail run at least once a week and lots of burpees, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, lunges, squats, and planks.

I signed up for one on May 1st. I haven't worked out in months! I hope 2 months is enough to prepare me for this. I signed up for the half, which I believe is 5 miles

I did my first TM last summer.... I did it with a friend who was SUPER in shape and one who did not train at all. The one who didn't train, ended up hurting herself and having to quit half way in.

So, I recommend training! Focusing on running first. You should be able to do at least 3-5km at a time. Once you can do that, I would add hills. TM Toronto was KILLER for the hills - I was not prepared for that... And you def. need some upper body strength training too!

Am signed up again for this year too!

jess_diarte wrote: »

I signed up for one on May 1st. I haven't worked out in months! I hope 2 months is enough to prepare me for this. I signed up for the half, which I believe is 5 miles

@jess_diarte if you're talking about the half marathon that is 13.1 miles not 5.

dbanks80 wrote: »

jess_diarte wrote: »

I signed up for one on May 1st. I haven't worked out in months! I hope 2 months is enough to prepare me for this. I signed up for the half, which I believe is 5 miles

@jess_diarte if you're talking about the half marathon that is 13.1 miles not 5.

@dbanks80 I just double checked. It is 5miles.

amandarawr06 wrote: »

I did my first TM last summer.... I did it with a friend who was SUPER in shape and one who did not train at all. The one who didn't train, ended up hurting herself and having to quit half way in.

THIS is why I get annoyed when out of shape people talk about having completed a Tough Mudder without any training. Sure, you might be able to finish, especially if you half-*kitten* your way through, but there's a good chance that you will hurt yourself.

I also think that it violates the spirit of these races. These aren't necessarily meant to be competitions; however, they are designed to be challenging. Waltzing in without any preparation isn't *wrong*, but it doesn't reflect the intended spirit of these challenges either.

"But if someone goes in with a good attitude, who cares if they've trained or not?" I've heard people say. I think that reflects a false premise, though. I don't think one can claim to have a good attitude if they just slack off without scarcely any preparation, and then somehow just muddle through.

I know some would disagree. That's okay. I just think that one should make sure to prepare for these things. To do otherwise is foolish.

spartan_d wrote: »

amandarawr06 wrote: »

I did my first TM last summer.... I did it with a friend who was SUPER in shape and one who did not train at all. The one who didn't train, ended up hurting herself and having to quit half way in.

THIS is why I get annoyed when out of shape people talk about having completed a Tough Mudder without any training. Sure, you might be able to finish, especially if you half-*kitten* your way through, but there's a good chance that you will hurt yourself.

I also think that it violates the spirit of these races. These aren't necessarily meant to be competitions; however, they are designed to be challenging. Waltzing in without any preparation isn't *wrong*, but it doesn't reflect the intended spirit of these challenges either.

"But if someone goes in with a good attitude, who cares if they've trained or not?" I've heard people say. I think that reflects a false premise, though. I don't think one can claim to have a good attitude if they just slack off without scarcely any preparation, and then somehow just muddle through.

I know some would disagree. That's okay. I just think that one should make sure to prepare for these things. To do otherwise is foolish.

I concur. And life is the journey not the destination! I am always boggled when someone who has never run before signs up for a half-marathon in like a month. Why would you do that to yourself? Take pride in your training, try to enjoy it. Sign up for a 5k with plenty of time. It's like weight loss, work hard and consistently and you will probably be proud of your results. Try to lose 30 lbs in 30 days and well...