Tough Mudder

[WV]

Anyone ever done this?


http://toughmudder.com/

I signed up for the one in April and need to get off my butt and get in better shape!!!!

[WV]

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Yes, did one last month. It is about three to three and a half hours depending on your condition.

It was not constant movement- you are waiting at each obstacle for others to go through so you get breaks. Don't wear good shoes- they'll be trashed. If you can run 5-6 miles in one shot comfortably, you'll be fine. Then work on pullups, dips, monkey bars, etc. Much climbing. Bring flip flops at the end, and a towel (obviously). They have water and bananas along the route like most races.
You will see gloves, hats, shoes, sweatshirts littered all over the race course. In the attached pic I'm wearing a hat I picked up, as well as gloves. IMO, you don't need any extra kit. If you're running in cold weather, you'll want a sweatshirt and socks/shoes at the end. Also- Under Armor compression shorts are a must; you will get your junk smashed without them. Good luck.

Awesome thanks!!! I need to build my cardiovascular conditioning for sure, I have no issues with the physical strength portion...well atleast in the beginning! I bet by the end your pretty trashed either way!

[Omaha]

TM is supposed to be coming to Omaha this year, but they haven't set a date. I have preregistered. I've done Warrior Dash (I've already signed up to do my second one in June) and I'm looking at traveling somewhere to do a Spartan Race this Summer, too.

Tough Mudder is longer than WD &, from what I understand, they don't time the race. It's about completing it. Where are you doing it?

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Blindside58

I thought someone died last year from heat exhaustion doing an event like this in Kansas City. Although, I think is was a different sponsor or production than this one. I imagine it may be difficult now to get a license in this area or whatever else is needed.

2 people died as a result of heat from the Warrior Dash. It doesn't seem to be any harder getting a license because WD is headed back to KC in May. (Better time of year for it than July 30-31 like last year)

[Valiant]

You need to be half marathon shape for this unless you are walking it in 3 to 4 hours.

10 to 12 mile course.

3x longer then other events, training should of started in the fall..

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Yes, did one last month. It is about three to three and a half hours depending on your condition.

It was not constant movement- you are waiting at each obstacle for others to go through so you get breaks. Don't wear good shoes- they'll be trashed. If you can run 5-6 miles in one shot comfortably, you'll be fine. Then work on pullups, dips, monkey bars, etc. Much climbing. Bring flip flops at the end, and a towel (obviously). They have water and bananas along the route like most races.
You will see gloves, hats, shoes, sweatshirts littered all over the race course. In the attached pic I'm wearing a hat I picked up, as well as gloves. IMO, you don't need any extra kit. If you're running in cold weather, you'll want a sweatshirt and socks/shoes at the end. Also- Under Armor compression shorts are a must; you will get your junk smashed without them. Good luck.

How bad was the electric shock? I've videos where some people fly through & others where guys flop to the ground screaming. Is that for effect?

[ChiefsOne]

Here's a similar one that I do the merchandise for.

http://mudathlon.com

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by WVChiefFan

Awesome thanks!!! I need to build my cardiovascular conditioning for sure, I have no issues with the physical strength portion...well atleast in the beginning! I bet by the end your pretty trashed either way!

The problem with the strength part is if you are not out in front, you get slowed way down and not on your pace. Then add the mud and slipperyness of the obstacles that are mormally easy. And that is from a 4mile course. The other guy is correct, 3 to 4 hours is probably right with the waiting if you are in great shape.


Also, I thought they timed this one also?

Good training course is running the bike trails at smithville lake.

[Cheater5]

Originally Posted by Omaha

How bad was the electric shock? I've videos where some people fly through & others where guys flop to the ground screaming. Is that for effect?

Like most things- it isnt as bad as people make it out to be. It's always at the very end, and by then you're pretty tired so getting zapped might knock you down.

To me, it felt like Andre the Giant slammed both of his palms in my chest (insert your favorite effect here; BOOM/WHAM/ZONK). I didn't fall or get knocked down, but plenty of smaller folks did. Yes, it sucks but you sprint through and it's over in 15 seconds.

Look guys, I saw 60+ year olds running this thing, and plenty of people skip obstacles. You can just...run around them if you choose. Pretty lame, but there it is. I do not think you need to be in half-marathon shape; I wasn't anywhere near that and I made it. Like I said there is constant stoppage, so you're getting your wind back.

[blackdragon11]

It's actually a fairly easy event, although it is tougher than Warrior Dash and Spartan Race for obvious reasons. I just did the one in Phoenix two weeks ago, 12.5 miles, 29 obstacles. It is not timed, it is more team oriented and you just need to finish it. Every few miles, there are water stations with bananas and first aid. The worst parts to me were water obstacles, because they are all filled with ice and probably in the negatives for temp. Don't wear gloves, they are worthless. Wear light, tight clothing. Also, wear light shoes or vibrams. No goggles. The electroshock therapy, most of us just low crawled through it. I never got shocked the entire event. Bring extra clothes to change into afterwards as well, shoes included.

[blackdragon11]

I rarely even run anymore either, so I wasn't very conditioned for running at all and still made it in 3 hours, not leaving any of my 4 other teammates behind. I would say, just practice pullups or anything to help you climb, because some of the walls get tough as you go on through the race.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by blackdragon11

It's actually a fairly easy event, although it is tougher than Warrior Dash and Spartan Race for obvious reasons. I just did the one in Phoenix two weeks ago, 12.5 miles, 29 obstacles. It is not timed, it is more team oriented and you just need to finish it. Every few miles, there are water stations with bananas and first aid. The worst parts to me were water obstacles, because they are all filled with ice and probably in the negatives for temp. Don't wear gloves, they are worthless. Wear light, tight clothing. Also, wear light shoes or vibrams. No goggles. The electroshock therapy, most of us just low crawled through it. I never got shocked the entire event. Bring extra clothes to change into afterwards as well, shoes included.

Originally Posted by blackdragon11

I rarely even run anymore either, so I wasn't very conditioned for running at all and still made it in 3 hours, not leaving any of my 4 other teammates behind. I would say, just practice pullups or anything to help you climb, because some of the walls get tough as you go on through the race.

Wow, I really want to do one of these. I really hope they set a date for the Omaha TM.

[blackdragon11]

I thought about coming back to the area to try the Missouri one if it is in KC, depending on the date. I have already signed up for the El Paso and Albuquerque races well.

[Omaha]

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Look guys, I saw 60+ year olds running this thing, and plenty of people skip obstacles. You can just...run around them if you choose. Pretty lame, but there it is. I do not think you need to be in half-marathon shape; I wasn't anywhere near that and I made it. Like I said there is constant stoppage, so you're getting your wind back.

I have a buddy who is convinced that he can't do anything. I have to convince him to do everything he does. Once he does it, he sees that it's not that bad. I'm making him do WD in June. I think some people just have really low self-esteem.

[WV]

Originally Posted by Omaha

TM is supposed to be coming to Omaha this year, but they haven't set a date. I have preregistered. I've done Warrior Dash (I've already signed up to do my second one in June) and I'm looking at traveling somewhere to do a Spartan Race this Summer, too.

Tough Mudder is longer than WD &, from what I understand, they don't time the race. It's about completing it. Where are you doing it?

I'm registered for the one in the Poconos, PA.

Just a heads up that I didn't expect. Register early to save some coin, registration fees were around $180.

Originally Posted by Valiant

You need to be half marathon shape for this unless you are walking it in 3 to 4 hours.

10 to 12 mile course.

3x longer then other events, training should of started in the fall..

If your trying to win I'll agree with you, but as someone else mentioned I think it's more about getting motivated to do it and team work. the website says you should be able to complete it in 3 or 3.5 hours.

Originally Posted by Valiant

The problem with the strength part is if you are not out in front, you get slowed way down and not on your pace. Then add the mud and slipperyness of the obstacles that are mormally easy. And that is from a 4mile course. The other guy is correct, 3 to 4 hours is probably right with the waiting if you are in great shape.


Also, I thought they timed this one also?

Good training course is running the bike trails at smithville lake.

This isn't a bad thing because I'm not looking to set a marathon pace, just have fun and it's an excuse to try to get in better shape.

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Like most things- it isnt as bad as people make it out to be. It's always at the very end, and by then you're pretty tired so getting zapped might knock you down.

To me, it felt like Andre the Giant slammed both of his palms in my chest (insert your favorite effect here; BOOM/WHAM/ZONK). I didn't fall or get knocked down, but plenty of smaller folks did. Yes, it sucks but you sprint through and it's over in 15 seconds.

Look guys, I saw 60+ year olds running this thing, and plenty of people skip obstacles. You can just...run around them if you choose. Pretty lame, but there it is. I do not think you need to be in half-marathon shape; I wasn't anywhere near that and I made it. Like I said there is constant stoppage, so you're getting your wind back.

This was my impression as well...thanks again.

Originally Posted by blackdragon11

It's actually a fairly easy event, although it is tougher than Warrior Dash and Spartan Race for obvious reasons. I just did the one in Phoenix two weeks ago, 12.5 miles, 29 obstacles. It is not timed, it is more team oriented and you just need to finish it. Every few miles, there are water stations with bananas and first aid. The worst parts to me were water obstacles, because they are all filled with ice and probably in the negatives for temp. Don't wear gloves, they are worthless. Wear light, tight clothing. Also, wear light shoes or vibrams. No goggles. The electroshock therapy, most of us just low crawled through it. I never got shocked the entire event. Bring extra clothes to change into afterwards as well, shoes included.

I thought the gloves were to help with grip because everything is pretty much wet or covered with mud....so a no go on the gloves huh.

And thanks for the tips!

[tredadda]

I am looking to do it this year. Although I am in pretty good shape, I still need to improve my condition for it because the event in Colorado starts at over 8,000 feet and end at over 11,000 feet. That will make it tougher than in many other parts of the country.