Tough Mudder- advice please
Discussion
My daughter and some of her friends have been pestering me about doing the Mini Mudder, they've been booked in and it's on the same day as their new Half Mudder so my wife and I (plus another child's mum) have also signed up.
I've downloaded the training plans so got a rough idea of what's expected. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week so not so much bothered by the strength aspect of it as I have a personal trainer who will be able to cover that off.
I guess what I need to know is what I should expect of the course (it's the half normal one), what I should be wearing and other such things as what's available on the day etc, etc.
I'd expect to be waiting around for the kids one to finish before, or after we do ours.
To add this is my first event of any kind so some tips would be appreciated!
Thanks,
J
I've downloaded the training plans so got a rough idea of what's expected. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week so not so much bothered by the strength aspect of it as I have a personal trainer who will be able to cover that off.
I guess what I need to know is what I should expect of the course (it's the half normal one), what I should be wearing and other such things as what's available on the day etc, etc.
I'd expect to be waiting around for the kids one to finish before, or after we do ours.
To add this is my first event of any kind so some tips would be appreciated!
Thanks,
J
If you can run the actual distance involved then it's no problem as you can skirt round the obstacles as your ability permits at the time.
To develop the upper body strength to do monkey bars or drag yourself over a high wall might take several months and some considerable dedication. Great if you're up for it but if you can't see yourself ever doing such as thing don't let that stop you. Your pals will help you up and over stiff where needes, or just go for a swim.
It's just a good laugh and not a competition, treat it that way and it's a great day out.
The electric shocks f
king hurt though, and you can't train for that.
To develop the upper body strength to do monkey bars or drag yourself over a high wall might take several months and some considerable dedication. Great if you're up for it but if you can't see yourself ever doing such as thing don't let that stop you. Your pals will help you up and over stiff where needes, or just go for a swim.
It's just a good laugh and not a competition, treat it that way and it's a great day out.
The electric shocks f
king hurt though, and you can't train for that. Be careful what you wear, as you'll get wet and muddy, you don't want anything that absorbs water! It'll just get heavy and uncomfortable.
Cross country running and get used to at and mud
Always wanted to do one, but it's not the sort of thing my friends would be up to and don't want to do it on my own
Cross country running and get used to at and mud
Always wanted to do one, but it's not the sort of thing my friends would be up to and don't want to do it on my own
dave_s13 said:
The electric shocks fking hurt though, and you can't train for that.
I had years of doing lousy household electrical work, that was perfect training.king hurt though, and you can't train for that. I'm intending to do one of these in the next few years - but when and who with is the key part. My partners son has pretty bad CF, and the tough mudder will either be done with him at some point after he gets new lungs, or if he doesn't make it, it will be done in his memory (I'm not accepting that as an option at the moment).
Good luck, it will be fun.
To be honest I would stick together as a group and just go and have a laugh - the emphasis of the event is all based around teamwork and helping out your fellow Mudders - I did my 3rd Mudder in 2014 (will be doing the South West one this summer) and I understand some of the obstacles have evolved to the point where you cannot actually do them on your own.
If you are that way inclined then I would practice some off road running and hills but I wouldn't really worry too much about how fast you get round the course - it's not a race!
Get a decent baselayer and some trail shoes and you should be good to go - as already mentioned, try to avoid wearing cotton on the day.
If you are that way inclined then I would practice some off road running and hills but I wouldn't really worry too much about how fast you get round the course - it's not a race!
Get a decent baselayer and some trail shoes and you should be good to go - as already mentioned, try to avoid wearing cotton on the day.
Gecko1978 said:
just done my third an first on my own as friends not into it beyond one off braging rights. Slipper disc means I can't run fast I just job / walk around enjoy the challenge its more mental than physical I find.
One off bragging rights? It’s more likely a case of why do another? I’ve done two but only did the second as a group of ages were a man down. They’re over hyped, not really a challenge and very expensive for what they are. If you like OCRs then there are better vfm and better course out there.
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
Badda said:
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
I did it solo the first time i did it, there was no shortage of people willing to help, that's kind of the point of the event. It's a challenge, not a competition. I'm doing the Spartan Ultra this year and starting to panic about it a bit already!
I got into OCR this year and have now done 4 Spartans (4 other OCR's) and another 2 Spartan beasts to go to get a double trifecta this year.....so I've put some time in on it!
The most important factor is RUNNING. The guys that dominate these things are RUNNERS. There's no getting around it....a light weight bloke that can do sub 40m 10k's without thinking about it will destroy the gym monkey that think's cardio is 5 mins on a stepper.
As somone 6ft6 and 220lbs I've spent all year upping my running (now at 20m for 5k and 44m for 10k) just to get even slightly CLOSE to the top 10 in my age group runs. So, get out and run. A 10km OCR is like a 20km flat run (in terms of effort)
As for clothing - tight and little. Most top Spartans run with compression shorts and nothing else. A tshirt (even a compression shirt) just holds onto cold water. Although if you aren't rocking abs - maybe a tshirt is best!
Biggest tips I had this year - forget gloves. Get down the park and chin up on the rusty swings and toughen your hands. Gloves suck. And (if you have the budget) I would NEVER run an OCR without good shoes. I use InoV8 Mudclaws and will climb out of bogs that others are dying in!
Oh...and does tough mudder have a rope climb? If it does, learn technique. Rope climb is 99% technique.
That's it - and don't forget its a Tough Mudder so if you want you can skip the tricky stuff and just have a laugh taking selfies with mates (which is the reason I run in competitive heats on Spartans and avoid TM - Spartans don't skip NOTHING!!!!!
)
The most important factor is RUNNING. The guys that dominate these things are RUNNERS. There's no getting around it....a light weight bloke that can do sub 40m 10k's without thinking about it will destroy the gym monkey that think's cardio is 5 mins on a stepper.
As somone 6ft6 and 220lbs I've spent all year upping my running (now at 20m for 5k and 44m for 10k) just to get even slightly CLOSE to the top 10 in my age group runs. So, get out and run. A 10km OCR is like a 20km flat run (in terms of effort)
As for clothing - tight and little. Most top Spartans run with compression shorts and nothing else. A tshirt (even a compression shirt) just holds onto cold water. Although if you aren't rocking abs - maybe a tshirt is best!
Biggest tips I had this year - forget gloves. Get down the park and chin up on the rusty swings and toughen your hands. Gloves suck. And (if you have the budget) I would NEVER run an OCR without good shoes. I use InoV8 Mudclaws and will climb out of bogs that others are dying in!
Oh...and does tough mudder have a rope climb? If it does, learn technique. Rope climb is 99% technique.
That's it - and don't forget its a Tough Mudder so if you want you can skip the tricky stuff and just have a laugh taking selfies with mates (which is the reason I run in competitive heats on Spartans and avoid TM - Spartans don't skip NOTHING!!!!!
)Badda said:
One off bragging rights?
It’s more likely a case of why do another? I’ve done two but only did the second as a group of ages were a man down. They’re over hyped, not really a challenge and very expensive for what they are. If you like OCRs then there are better vfm and better course out there.
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
For a variety of reasons (primarily based around timing), I've yet to do one - tough mudder, wolf run, spartan, etc. Bit of a shame, as there's a good crowd of people at work that I could enter with.It’s more likely a case of why do another? I’ve done two but only did the second as a group of ages were a man down. They’re over hyped, not really a challenge and very expensive for what they are. If you like OCRs then there are better vfm and better course out there.
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
Which ones do you count as better vfm?
clonmult said:
Badda said:
One off bragging rights?
It’s more likely a case of why do another? I’ve done two but only did the second as a group of ages were a man down. They’re over hyped, not really a challenge and very expensive for what they are. If you like OCRs then there are better vfm and better course out there.
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
For a variety of reasons (primarily based around timing), I've yet to do one - tough mudder, wolf run, spartan, etc. Bit of a shame, as there's a good crowd of people at work that I could enter with.It’s more likely a case of why do another? I’ve done two but only did the second as a group of ages were a man down. They’re over hyped, not really a challenge and very expensive for what they are. If you like OCRs then there are better vfm and better course out there.
Also, not sure about doing it solo - several of the ‘challenges’ require team mates. What do you do, ask another team for help?
Which ones do you count as better vfm?
Spartan - especially running Elite or Age Group (as I do) is proper racing. Judges monitor the obstacles, there are penalties and no one is "there with Bob from accounts". It's proper racing and you can go anywhere in the world to do one and know what to expect. My fav.
Nuclear Race - I do these with my son (16) as it's more "fun" - some of the obstacles are almost impossible with mud and stuff - but no one is policing and you just have fun.
Random local ones - Great VFM. There seem to be a few one off events that spring up (check out findarace.com) and they have little of the budget that the big boys bring but have a "fun, thrown together" feel. If one is in a local woodland to you - go try, I've enjoyed everyone I've done of these "low budget" races.
TBH if you are looking to run with mates Tough Mudder seem to have that "we're all in it together" thing nailed. Personally, the idea that I have to wait while Billy gets his fat ass over a climb or (even worse) I hold up others waiting on me is off putting.
Tough Mudder is meant to be a challenge based on certain fears to overcome. It's not a race, no timing etc it's a challenge to get round for the everyday Joe. It was actually created to give an alternative to timed races and for something a little more interesting than a marathon.
I go round every year with my brother and we have a great time, we stop and help anyone who needs help and have a lot of laughs along the way. Two years ago we were at the top of Everest helping people up until our arms felt like they were going to fall off.
The people you see checking thier time on their watches and not stopping to help others at it impacts their time don't get what Tough Mudder is about.
Tough Mudder has a friendly festival vibe to it and I would reccomend it to anyone. If you are a single entrant or interested in getting a medal or a time then this won't do that.
The book is also an excellent read
I go round every year with my brother and we have a great time, we stop and help anyone who needs help and have a lot of laughs along the way. Two years ago we were at the top of Everest helping people up until our arms felt like they were going to fall off.
The people you see checking thier time on their watches and not stopping to help others at it impacts their time don't get what Tough Mudder is about.
Tough Mudder has a friendly festival vibe to it and I would reccomend it to anyone. If you are a single entrant or interested in getting a medal or a time then this won't do that.
The book is also an excellent read
PistonTim said:
At least Billy is getting his fat ass over something rather than sitting at home...
1000% - I just don't want him holding me up! I LOVE seeing people at races that look like it is day 1 of a new life for them. All power to them....but in the same way Lewis Hamilton doesn't want learner drivers on the grid at F1 - I don't want new joggers in my way and so pick a sport that keeps us seperate (Spartan as opposed to TM) (and I doubt they want me charging past them like a tool either!!)Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff