Hate is a word describing a strong dislike towards something. So I will begin by saying that I HATE running. I really hate it. I find it long, boring and monotonous. I’ve tried so many times to get into it and each time I have failed miserably. I’ve tried running in the park. Running on a track. Running on a treadmill. Running with a friend. Running with an iPod. Each time I ran, I have gotten bored after 10 minutes and wished I was doing something else or taken my bike out for a ride instead.
My Alternative to Running
So running isn’t for me. It isn’t for everyone. I commend the people who have the mental toughness and discipline to run every day. I like to think I do have some mental toughness and discipline in me though just not when it comes to running. I’m a gym rat. I enjoy working out at the gym and participating in group fitness classes. I enjoy it so much that my part-time job is teaching group fitness classes.
I thought about joining a running group to help me get into running but it never fit into my schedule. Ok, let me rephrase that. I never made an effort to fit it into my schedule. My common law partner isn’t in running either. In fact, he hates it just as much as I do. We keep on saying that one day we’ll suffer through the pain together and go for a run.
It never happened.
Challenging Myself in a Different Way
Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’ve reached a plateau in terms of my fitness. Believe it or not, even people in the fitness industry need motivating. Just as much as you guys. Maybe even more.
This year was the year I decided to try an obstacle course race.
Obstacle course races are nothing new and have been around since the beginning of civilized society. We can thank the Ancient Greeks for that. They had a race known as the Stadion, where competitors would complete obstacles as they ran around a track naked. The Stadion was once part of the five events in the Olympic Pentathlon.[1] These races also became an essential part of military training, preparing soldiers to maneuver their way through obstacles that they may come across in the battlefield.
These races come in a variety of distances and obstacles, ranging from easy (Mud Hero) to insanely tough (Tough Mudder). Aside from running a certain distance, you have to muscle your way through obstacles such as crawling through a narrow tube, climbing a cargo net and wading through pools of mud. Tough Mudder is considered the toughest obstacle race on the planet. This is the one obstacle course you want to work your way up to. The course length is 10-12 miles with 25 military style courses that were designed by British Special Forces.[2] These courses were designed to challenge your toughness, strength, stamina and mental grit. Obstacles include jumping into a dumpster filled with ice water (!) and wading through water with live electrical wires hanging above you. Like the majority of obstacle course races, Tough Mudder is all about completion and having the bragging rights.
This is not for the faint of heart.
I decided Tough Mudder was too tough for a beginner like me, so I did Mud Hero instead. I did not actually take the time to train for Mud Hero, but I was lucky in a sense that I developed a decent fitness from working out regularly and teaching my fitness classes. The course itself was not too bad. The only thing that wore me out was the uphill running, which is one of the things you should focus on when training for these races. Another aspect to focus on is upper body strength training to help you climb those cargo nets, and make your way up those walls. What I liked about the race was that while you may be tired when you reached an obstacle, it was a nice break from running. My curiosity as to what the next obstacle would be my motivation to keep me running.
The fact that there was free live music, free beer and food (unfortunately not free) to celebrate the event also helped my motivation.
With one obstacle course race under my belt, I’m ready to move on to the next level. Warrior Dash is next on my list.
My goal is to put my limits to the ultimate test and complete Tough Mudder in a few years.
Have you done any obstacle course races? Would you do Tough Mudder? Am I crazy for wanting to do this? 🙂
[1] Marshall, John. Obstacle Course Racing Growing in Popularity May 7, 2013.
[2] Tough Mudder, 2012
I’d really like to do one (the dirty girl mud run is coming up in nov) but I always either lack the funds to do it or someone to do it with. But it’s on my list of things I want to try!
They are quite expensive. The Mud Hero one was $60 and that was the second early bird price.
I am in the same situation when it comes to finding people to do these runs with me. I managed to get my sister and brother-in-law into it though. Too bad, you live so far away! I would totally do it with you! 🙂
We are total opposites! I’m one of those weirdos that loves to run – but I’ve found I hate fun runs and obstacle course races. I think it’s because I am way too competitive when it comes to my sport.. sure, I race to have fun, but I also race to win! I did the Color Run this year and was so annoyed because 90% of the people walked it (I know, I know.. I’m a grumpy-pants). But the obstacle course races you’re doing look serious and intense! And if you’re enjoying them, more power to you, that’s awesome. I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines 😀
Lol! Even though Mud Hero is generally considered a fun run, there were a few people who were kind of competitive. I ran/half jogged the whole way, but some people did walk and were chatting with their friends as they walked.
I think with Tough Mudder there is a competitive division in which you can sign up for. I feel like I would be intimidated and it would probably be all ex-military folk.
One of the things about the tough mudder that I’ve heard is that they really encourage helping others complete the obstacles. Some of them are meant to be unable to really complete without the aid of others on the course, so teamwork is a big part of it.
There’s this one obstacle that’s a really tall skateboarding ramp that you have to run up. I believe they make it slippery to make it even more difficult. People are at the top to grab you and help pull you up. Of course, that obstacle is at the very end, when you’re the most exhausted.
I would totally do Tough Mudder…if they got rid of the electrical wire. Everything else is ok. Ice, fire, hot guys, and mud. I just think that there will be a course out there where 15 people get electrocuted. Just saying.
The electrical wire is the only thing that scares me too. And perhaps the ice bath. I don’t do very well with cold.
Sounds interesting – I don’t think I could ever do something like this. I could maybe train for and run a marathon but not like this.
I feel like training for a marathon would be harder for me. I didn’t think I could do it either, but you won’t know unless you try. 🙂
My co-workers and I considered doing tough mudder up at Whistler, BC when it was happening but we eventually decided not too. We are not that tough… haha
Perhaps if you completed the race, the end result would be becoming tougher? 😉
Hey I’ve done 2 tough mudders and looking to compete in the tougher mudder next year and also considering worlds toughest next year in November
You are not crazy these events are incredible the comradery as well as the fun live music and challeng of these events is what makes them amazing I whole heartedly suggests you do one
Now with that they provide a training PDF that I have pinned to my pantry and if you do all the exercise listed in 3 monht the time frame (I did mine over an 8 mo period because I like feeling prepped) you will be more than ready and on race day you may not feel ready but you will be.
From some who
Kinda ran 5ks to some one who kinda wants to try a 24hr obstical race
Hi Matt,
This response is super late but thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience with Tough Mudder. I may re-consider in the future, once it is considered safe to have those types of events.