Tough Mudder - A crazy idea, or a fun event?

[kiwifraser]

At some point on a night out with friends I agreed to enter, but that was before looking at the event website. I'm committed now, and looking forward to it even though I'm a tad worried about what lies ahead.

Ad hoc feedback since then from others ranges from it being really hard and a long day even for well trained experts, to it being an overhyped charity type event which is easy for the majority.

Given it is nearly a half marathon whilst covered in mud and has 20+ obstacles on the way that look pretty tough, I don't for a second think it will be a walk in the park.

Anyone been through it already and prepared to offer some advice?

[Centurion07]

Yes, hold your nose as you jump off the Walk The Plank obstacle otherwise it all goes up your nose as you go 3ft underwater & almost drown trying to get to the surface again.

Maybe that's just me though.

ETA: Try this: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Centurion07 on Saturday 20th July 13:34

[kiwifraser]

Cheers for the link. It was no surprise that the PH search function was broken when I was looking for other threads, and nothing seemed to be in the last couple of months in the sports forum.

[DJFish]

A buddy at work did it this year, one of the obstacles features live electrodes that give you quite substantial electric shocks as you pass under them whilst soaked, exhausted, freezing and covered in mud............have fun.

[valais]

Are you a masochist?

Put it this way, the only people I know that have done it are single, and the rest boast of S&M sessions with their partner.
There are more rewarding challenges in the UK.

[mondeoman]

A bunch of my mates did it earlier this year, on a lovely warm day. It's not as bad as you think, and one of them said a sprint triathlon was harder.
Might be totally different if it's cold and rainy though, but you're not really doing competitive speeds between obstacles, so just enjoy the fun of it .

[kiwifraser]

mondeoman said:

A bunch of my mates did it earlier this year, on a lovely warm day. It's not as bad as you think, and one of them said a sprint triathlon was harder.
Might be totally different if it's cold and rainy though, but you're not really doing competitive speeds between obstacles, so just enjoy the fun of it .

Thanks. That's what I'm hoping for. We are a mixed team of 11 with a wide range of athletic abilities. I'm sure we will have fun, and I just hope we can finish it before they close the course for the day

[Johnny]

kiwifraser said:

mondeoman said:

A bunch of my mates did it earlier this year, on a lovely warm day. It's not as bad as you think, and one of them said a sprint triathlon was harder.
Might be totally different if it's cold and rainy though, but you're not really doing competitive speeds between obstacles, so just enjoy the fun of it .

Thanks. That's what I'm hoping for. We are a mixed team of 11 with a wide range of athletic abilities. I'm sure we will have fun, and I just hope we can finish it before they close the course for the day

I'm planning on doing one, early next year most likely. I imagine it to be hard, but fun.

Trying to get a few boys together at work for a team. I've had some very funny looks...

[kiwifraser]

We are doing the Scotland one on Saturday 24th August near Edinburgh. Far enough away to fit in some training

[CooperS]

I'm now more than a stone over weight and can barely run 5k without feeling like I've done a marathon so I'm with much fitter football mates doing a event early next year.

Looks a laugh and tbh it's probably tougher mentally than physically.

It was this or the Artemis challenge which was something I considered this year before getting married which kicked all thoughts of tri training out the window.

[Iang84]

Its good fun heres my small write up from when I did it at the start of the year

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[dave_s13]

I'm doing it too. Sept one in Yorkshire.

Only thing I'm really fussed about is getting cold, I don't do cold!

[Centurion07]

dave_s13 said:

I'm doing it too. Sept one in Yorkshire.

Only thing I'm really fussed about is getting cold, I don't do cold!

Keep your fingers crossed this weather lasts then. I did the southern one beginning of june and the one thing I definately would not do is a TM in the cold! You're soaking wet for most of the course from the water obstacles and if it's cold I think you'd REALLY know about it!

[einsign]

My wife did it earlier this year, I will be doing it with her next year.

Watch this training video, rather amusing, and inspirational! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErZ5GjOyas

[dave_s13]

einsign said:

My wife did it earlier this year, I will be doing it with her next year.

Watch this training video, rather amusing, and inspirational! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErZ5GjOyas

What a great looking gym! Moustache bloke is hardcore fit too, top work.

This is a good one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9NatIdlWGE

That ICE BATH looks fooking rubbish.

Edited by dave_s13 on Monday 22 July 22:13

[y2blade]

Hi Fraser.
My Bro has done a few of these, the last one he did in fancy dress with his mate as Sylvester the cat

Great events.
Enjoy.

[mondeoman]

I'm doing Spartans in Spetember, volunteering on a Tough Mudder the week before and I'll be doing one next year if the Spartan one is OK

[Gilhooligan]

They look brilliant. I did something similar called Total Warrior in the Lake District. It was 10 miles of very similar obstacles (think walls, fire, getting electric shocks, more walls, wading through rivers etc) then we had to climb up a massive hill which reduced most people to walking.

It was absolutely brutal. I went home covered in cuts and bruises. I honestly felt less fked after doing the Edinburgh Marathon but I think I may have been a bit dehydrated which didn't help.

Would I do it again? Yes, totally. It was a great feeling finishing it and we got a free pint at the end. Also I'm sure some of the money raised went to an air ambulance so a good cause. I'll do a tough mudder one day.

[kiwifraser]

An update...
I have gone from not owning a pair of running shoes 2 months ago, to looking forward to this Saturday's event. I have been running twice per week, and steadily increasing training times and distance. Last weekend I ran a 10k in 55 minutes, and was really happy given I am a complete novice! We are aiming to get to the finish as a team of 11 after completing every challenge, rather than try to get any specific time.

I plan to run in dri-fit/ coolmax shorts and a t-shirt, have a pair of trail running shoes that I have been training in, and have bought a pair of gloves (as I'd rather have them to discard, than wish I had brought some). Any last hints?

PS: I have asked for help in the health forum on nutrition in the lead up days if anyone cares to offer advice? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by kiwifraser on Tuesday 20th August 10:46

[DMN]

Gilhooligan said:

They look brilliant. I did something similar called Total Warrior in the Lake District. It was 10 miles of very similar obstacles (think walls, fire, getting electric shocks, more walls, wading through rivers etc) then we had to climb up a massive hill which reduced most people to walking.

It was absolutely brutal. I went home covered in cuts and bruises. I honestly felt less fked after doing the Edinburgh Marathon but I think I may have been a bit dehydrated which didn't help.

Would I do it again? Yes, totally. It was a great feeling finishing it and we got a free pint at the end. Also I'm sure some of the money raised went to an air ambulance so a good cause. I'll do a tough mudder one day.

I did the 10K one this year, my knees have not recovered. I'm already training for next years.