So, you have decided to do your first Tough Mudder and made a commitment to training, and you have a better idea of the fact that there will be obstacles placed in front of you in the form of set-backs, even before you tackle the actual course obstacles.
These pre-event set-backs can come in many different forms, such as lack of motivation to train, training injury set-backs, and just life in general. Know that small things will come your way, but if your commitment is consistent and you have a plan, your chances of making it to the starting gates and finishing your first TM can be realized.
When I started out training for my first TM, I made a commitment to train 5 days a week, with a focus on upper body strength and legs training…Did I mention LEG training? O.K, I will say it one more time, LEG TRAINING! The reason I stress leg training, is the fact that it will be your lower body that will take most of the load to get you to the finish line. Most of the people who do not finish, did not finish due to falls, leg cramps and just plain old leg fatigue! I will talk a bit more on leg cramps later on, and a few pre-event tricks I did to prevent muscle cramping in the quads and especially in your calves. I know they worked, because I have never had any cramping or leg issues in completing any of my three TM’s. Oh, did I mention I have had three reconstructive knee operations and a ruptured Achilles tendon repair?
I do not want to make a big deal about this because one of the most inspirational experiences of doing a Tough Mudder, is the people you meet along the way…..There are many disabled veterans, some double amputee’s and disabled veterans in wheel chairs that Finish this event! Whenever I am at a point in the course when my legs are tired, or I am starting to get in my head, I think of these brave, honorable men and women who are doing this and all my complaints are not that big of a deal. I was honored to carry the flag of a fallen Marine on part of the course in my second Tough Mudder. A group of his fellow Marines were doing the Tough Mudder in his honor. These stories and people are what makes this event very special and a life experience you will never forget….It is totally worth it!
In getting back to training, again, I focused on upper body strength and legs for power. Because of my knee issues, I ran on a track and really never ran more than 5 miles at one time. Near the event day, I was running 5 miles three times a week. I would not focus on long distance running as Tough Mudder is an Endurance Event….Power and Strength will get you through the beast, and being able to run 5 miles without stopping and without not being completely exhausted at the end will be a good test of decent conditioning.
One exercise that I loved to do for legs is deep lunges….Since I ran on the local High School track, at least once a week I would do one lap around the track doing lunges on the outside lane of the track. It takes a while to get around the track, but if you can get around to the point from which you started without your legs shaking or giving out, this is a great test of leg power.
As far as upper body strength, remember that the majority of the obstacles on the course will require you to pull your body weight or hang with full body weight and keeping a strong hand grasp. No problem if you cannot hang on, you will be falling into ice cold water and going for a short swim. Because I wear two knee braces, they are usually caked with 5 pounds of mud in the last few miles, so I have intentionally dropped in the middle of an obstacle just to wash the mud off. Believe me, a few pounds of excess mud on your body can feel like an extra 50 pounds!
Now, I know I have stressed the importance of upper and lower body strength, but let me stress that everyone will not be into pumping iron 5 days a week and walking lunges around a track. As long as you have done some consistent exercise, remember, there will be thousands of people who are all working to accomplish the same goal….Get to the BEER at the Finish Line! Now, even though there are people helping to push or pull you up a wall, it is easier to help the 110 pound person over the wall then someone like myself, at 210 pounds. I have made it a point, to look for that person that needs help or the person who has lagged behind there group and just needs a little pep talk and someone to walk with for a while. Yes, I said walk! You may think you are jogging in the last couple of miles, but it will be walking! The only Goal in this Event is to Finish! Period!....Oh yes, and get a Free plastic cup of Beer!
In my next blog, I will talk about how to work through aches and pains along the way during training and knowing when you’re dealing with an injury and how to go about overcoming each scenario. Keep Motivated and Keep Training!