Tough Mudder

[NervousDad]

Awsome info, thanks for posting. I will definitely work on shoring up my teammates.

 

[Randar]

Sorry to kick up this thread, but I am in the process of getting myself ready for a Tough Mudder, I hope by April/May.

I have a few question for those who have done it.

Is a team really required? I may be able to get 1 or 2, but I'm not sure I can count on them.

Condition wise, will I make it I'm 36 @ 195 and I have pretty good upper body strength, semi strong legs. My cardio is average at best. I can run about a 6 minute mile and distance wise I can run a 5k but not much more. Bike rides I can go about 25 miles in hilly terrain.

Run more and then run more. 6 minute mile is great, but endurance is really where it's at. But truthfully TM is really just a "complete it to complete it" type of event. It's not really a race.

If you look back on this thread, you can see where I started 2 years ago from just getting involved and never being a runner. This past weekend I competed in the Spartan World Championships at Killington and finished 54th in the men's elite division.

From your description, you'd do fine now, let alone with 6 months or more to train. And yes, it's more fun to run with a friend or group of similar abilities. If you're looking for something with a bit more of a competitive aspect, I urge you to enter a Spartan Sprint or Super. Word of warning, it's a bit addictive

 

[BGBC]

I'm doing the Tri State TM in a few weeks. First one for me, but I've done a bunch of road races in the past. Doing it with a team of 6 I think. A couple friends and friends of friends. I've been running and doing P90X mostly. I've been traveling every week for work for several months, plus I got married earlier this month, so my training has been suffering a bit, but I think I'll do ok tho...

Any tips on do's or don't's as far as clothing/shoes go? Not going to be wearing a speedo, that's for sure...

 

[hunter_le five]

Any tips on do's or don't's as far as clothing/shoes go? Not going to be wearing a speedo, that's for sure...

Aw, c'mon, the speedo is a highly underrated racing garment....

Wear clothes you won't mind getting ruined. Gloves are nice to have, I just got a cheap pair from Home Depot. Cross-country type shoes, but again, be prepared to possibly throw them away at the end of the race, they will take a beating. Shirt and shorts should be light and breathe well.

 

[Randar]

Any tips on do's or don't's as far as clothing/shoes go? Not going to be wearing a speedo, that's for sure...

lightweight clothing (nothing that is going to absorb water) that will shed water and mud easily. Run without a shirt. Even if it's cold, that shirt will just get wet and muddy and make you MORE cold. I run these events shirtless even down to freezing temps. If you insist on running with a shirt, a compression style shirt is best.

Aw, c'mon, the speedo is a highly underrated racing garment....

Wear clothes you won't mind getting ruined. Gloves are nice to have, I just got a cheap pair from Home Depot. Cross-country type shoes, but again, be prepared to possibly throw them away at the end of the race, they will take a beating. Shirt and shorts should be light and breathe well.

The first time your gloves get muddy they will be totally useless. There aren't enough difficult rope obstacles at TM to worry about gloves, IMO. For the monkey bar A-frame and rings and such, just pull some grass from nearby and dry your hands off really well. That will be enough.

 

[BGBC]

Tough mudder tri-state was yesterday. Went pretty well. Tons of fun and only a little sore in the shoulders today. Not sure if I'll do another one (unless another big group of friends was doing it again), but I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't done one.