leviclampitt

Ruby, you got this. :) Taeliesyn, where are you running the super and sprint on the same day at?

Probably the greatest variable that no one has asked about yet: HOW DO WE MENTALLY PREPARE FOR MUD RUNS? This is how: http://www.mudrunprep.com/mindset/

I'd advise a personal trainer, physical therapist, or just anyone knowledgeable in anatomy and physiology to watch you move. Within seconds, it is likely they can pinpoint what is wrong and then supply you with a fix. Doctors are awesome and all but they are often too "general" to help get to the root of it (rather they…

Getting to the root of the problem would help your ankles and knees (which for most people is their hips). So... how is your hip mobility? Do you find that they are tight or can you do an invisible hula hoop pretty easy? And how about your glutes? Do they ever get sore from a workout? Can you squeeze your tookus and…

CHILL (literally). Your stress levels trigger certain hormones (like cortisol) which then have a large say if you put down fat on your stomach (including love handles) and how fast you can remove it. If you are too stressed (like from lack of sleep, undereating, overexercising, eating foods you're allergic to), it will not…

Nice - me too! One word of advice: If you're not running, try to get some long (~ 1 hour) walks in. When these get easy, walk faster, add some elevation (hills), or use some added resistance (a weighted pack). These will go a long way in adding to your "aerobic capacity" and allowing you to calm your breathing after the…

Thanks! :)

Warrior Dash is one of the more gentle courses. Sounds like you got a good plan going but make sure you throw in some grip work (like hanging from a pullup bar for time). You'll need it. :)

The transitions (i.e going from running to an obstacle back to running) is the hardest part of these races and really bumps your heart rate up a few notches. The best way to prepare for this is what you are adding in: weight training. :)

This may help with that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiTZ57xfr5Q

That Black Ops race actually sounds very appealing.

AKA You are using your lower back to support the load (hence, the bend in your spine). The solution is more glutes. Squeeze em as hard as you can. Maybe do some glute activation work like thrust or clams before hand. If you don't fix this, you 'll for sure get hurt once you progress to heavier weights. EDIT: I now see that…

I am digging the conditioning, but don't neglect the strength aspect. Building the horsepower (i.e lower reps of squat, deadlift, and unilateral leg exercises like lunges, split squats, 1 leg deadlift, and step ups) sets the stage for being able to "last" for long runs (especially hills).

Eeeeeeeeee :(

These races favor the strong ( = YOU). Since you never run consecutively for more than 400 meters in these 5ks, I don't recommend it in training. Instead get your conditioning effect from weight training ( i.e less rest) and practice the short stuff (track and hill sprints) and throw in some HIIT once in awhile.

Don't worry, you'll find it on the course. :)

If it's legit calf tear, you're looking at a 2 week recovery time (at least). Make sure to NOT stretch it but rather give it daily massage (to prevent scar tissue). Eat well and sleep tons and hopefully you'll be ready just in time to participate in the Spartan.

The running aspect is really overblown. Yes, you have to cover 3 miles but the obstacles (some of them being pure fun) allow for a lot of rest. So this idea that you have to run 3 miles straight before you should do one of these races = bogus. The big thing is being able to catch your breath after your heart rate has…

The beer is definitely a large part of it for me as well, haha. PS - I believe "Run For Yours Lives" was disbanded (and only runs in asia now). Am I mistaken?

What do you have: Patella tendinitis?

Your definitely right about leaning out. Less excess weight here (the bad kind), the easier it will be. As far as that hill, many things you can do with it: - put weight in backpack and run up it (or carry it in front of you) - get a 2x4 and run with it up the hill (awkward = hard = more calories burned) - farmers walk up…

Are you currently doing hills? Looks like the race is on a skill hill. :) This itself is definitely one of the hardest obstacles. You can do walking lunges to help to prepare for them but nothing beats sprinting up a hill with a steep incline. http://www.mudrunprep.com/toughest-obstacles/

Sounds like a good plan, man! Keep the hips + core strong and it will go a long ways on race day for any strength race.

That double sounds like a good weekend, haha. Personally, I'd trade a lot of your running in for more weight room conditioning ("less rest" type of stuff) and focus on 1 long run a week (always doing more) with maybe 1-2 sprint workouts (on hills if you have access to them) depending on how well you recover. Talk about…

Sounds like an adductor / hip flexor strain. Most likely you were squatting the weight up here (which would be more adductor/hip flexor) rather than deadlifting (which is back, hams, and glutes) and this is why this pull occurred. Whatever the case, you can still lift just work around it. Do exercises that don't aggravate…

The hardest obstacles will involve grip strength, KeepgoingKyle. Chinups/Pullups and Deadlifts will go the farthest here.

On yeah, shouldn't be too extreme. :)

What run are you doing? I would say only a few are true "fun runs". When obstacles and mud are added, the demands are much greater than a traditional 5 k. The 2 most common injuries are twisted ankles and acute injuries to the knee (both from slipping)

I'm impressed, very balanced routine. You're going to kill it!

Nice. My sister and her kid ran the Dirty Dash a couple summers ago. She didn't run much before the race (and maybe not at all) and she did fine. The obstacles for the Dirty Dash are a lot more tamer than other Mud Runs so the real factor comes down to "time on feet". If you can be on your feet for 30 - 45 minutes, you can…