How the hell do I train for this?!

Hanley

....serious question.

http://toughmudder.com/london-2012-course-map/

Lots of aerobic work I'm guessing?! 20km adventure race in London in May.

Anyone ever done one?!

the drifter

#faceplam

Satanta

I was thinking of doing gale force north. That tough mudder race is just insane.

Mellor

Lots of cardio. Running with 5-10kg packs (wet muddy clothes). Crawl/Sprawl Drills. Climbing work (ropes, walls etc)

Looks pretty sick. 20km over that terrain is tough without the obstacles.

Brian?

Didn't Oryx do something similar? Tough guy or something like that.

Edit: just looked at the map, I don't think it was that insane.

Hanley

Oh dear... Sounds like I'm entirely underestimating this

Hanley

Mellor wrote: »

Lots of cardio. Running with 5-10kg packs (wet muddy clothes). Crawl/Sprawl Drills. Climbing work (ropes, walls etc)

Looks pretty sick. 20km over that terrain is tough without the obstacles.

Hmmm I'd planned on doing it in a pair of under armour shorts and a sports tee - probably not that much to worry about clothes wise. Assuming weather's good of course

Must get some rope climbs in actually. Tbh Looking at the obstacles, I don't think they're gonna be the issue - more the 20km run!

Killme00

Grow a tasche obviously

cmyk

Do a braveforce race first and it'll give you an idea of what to expect? Though I've only ever done a 10k version max I didn't actually find the run that bad, the obstacles tend to take your focus off it a bit.

As mellor said above running that terrain is probably the hardest avoiding going over on an ankle.

Dubdude

Join the army i'd imagine there training is similar but seriously I don't think any amount of training would prepare you for that unless you got to do a couple of smaller courses similar to it.

JJayoo

What kind of gloves would you wear for an event like this? I could imagine numb hands would make it almost impossible for the later climbing events.

Hanley

JJayoo wrote: »

What kind of gloves would you wear for an event like this? I could imagine numb hands would make it almost impossible for the later climbing events.

It's mid-may... can't be THAT cold surely?!

The Guvnor

I wouldn't sweat it too much tbh.

Getting fitter is the key imo - half these obstacles are probably like something out of wipeout so expect to fall off one or two and when on the obstacles make sure there is not too many people near you as IME they will grab onto you as they fall!:D

Kevin Duffy

If you're serious about doing it, gimme a shout. I was once so serious about AR that I quit my job and went full-time....aw man, dem was the days.....(that said, it's not an AR, they're different)

I haven't done that particular race (I think it's new) but I've done similar assault-course style races and much longer, multi-day mountain races and AR. It looks tough, but very doable.

Barry.Oglesby

Recreate the course in your back garden. You should hit me up about this too, I've done all of those things in that race... separately... and spaced apart by a few months or years.

Thud

I'm sure you'll find some volunteers on here to help you with the electric shock training

Dubdude

Maybe some mountain runs for prep. http://www.imra.ie/

Oryx

You'll need a strong cardio base alright, but also do hill sprints, and running through water (along a beach etc) to get used to running with wet cold feet.

Your upper body strength will need to be good, and things like burpees and hard circuit training will get you used to the bursts of energy youll need for climbs etc. Practice jumping from heights too. I used to use my kids rope swing to practice the rope climbing, to get used to the grip!

You need good general flexibility, strong ankles for the mud, and supple calves, because they will cramp on assaults after a hard run, especially when you are cold.

Ill be doing Hell and Back in a few weeks, a much milder version of the above, though as mentioned, I did a similar event to yours a good few times. The first time I did it I was completely undertrained and it hurt!

For hell, weve been training on sand dunes, in ponds and the sea, long runs and hill sprints, with pushups, crawls and situps thrown in at intervals.

RyanTubs

That looks insane - don't really see the point of the nettle crawling and poo pond though.

token

That looks class apart from the 20km bit. Good luck with it. It should make an interesting training log.

Gordon Gekko

Lots of guides on teh interwebz. This blog is interesting - gives an idea what to expect http://mustachemantraining.blogspot.com/

The Davestator

Oryx wrote: »

You'll need a strong cardio base alright, but also do hill sprints, and running through water (along a beach etc) to get used to running with wet cold feet.

Your upper body strength will need to be good, and things like burpees and hard circuit training will get you used to the bursts of energy youll need for climbs etc. Practice jumping from heights too. I used to use my kids rope swing to practice the rope climbing, to get used to the grip!

You need good general flexibility, strong ankles for the mud, and supple calves, because they will cramp on assaults after a hard run, especially when you are cold.

Ill be doing Hell and Back in a few weeks, a much milder version of the above, though as mentioned, I did a similar event to yours a good few times. The first time I did it I was completely undertrained and it hurt!

For hell, weve been training on sand dunes, in ponds and the sea, long runs and hill sprints, with pushups, crawls and situps thrown in at intervals.

Im doing Hell & Back too. Started my first light run last Saturday after 8 weeks off recovering from a major hernia so not exactly ready!

Oryx

The Davestator wrote: »

Im doing Hell & Back too. Started my first light run last Saturday after 8 weeks off recovering from a major hernia so not exactly ready!

Sure its only a wee jog in the hills But fair play after an op like that. I know guys who used a hernia op as an excuse to do sfa for months!

christeb

Finallly run through a field with some electrocuted wires.

Seriously, why would you bother?

opinion guy

RyanTubs wrote: »

That looks insane - don't really see the point of the nettle crawling and poo pond though.

Yeah I thought it was interesting until Ir ead those 2. F**k that

Hanley

Kevin Duffy wrote: »

If you're serious about doing it, gimme a shout. I was once so serious about AR that I quit my job and went full-time....aw man, dem was the days.....(that said, it's not an AR, they're different)

I haven't done that particular race (I think it's new) but I've done similar assault-course style races and much longer, multi-day mountain races and AR. It looks tough, but very doable.

I will indeed, thanks

Oryx wrote: »

You'll need a strong cardio base alright, but also do hill sprints, and running through water (along a beach etc) to get used to running with wet cold feet.

Your upper body strength will need to be good, and things like burpees and hard circuit training will get you used to the bursts of energy youll need for climbs etc. Practice jumping from heights too. I used to use my kids rope swing to practice the rope climbing, to get used to the grip!

You need good general flexibility, strong ankles for the mud, and supple calves, because they will cramp on assaults after a hard run, especially when you are cold.

Ill be doing Hell and Back in a few weeks, a much milder version of the above, though as mentioned, I did a similar event to yours a good few times. The first time I did it I was completely undertrained and it hurt!

For hell, weve been training on sand dunes, in ponds and the sea, long runs and hill sprints, with pushups, crawls and situps thrown in at intervals.

Unreal - great help, thank you

christeb wrote: »

Finallly run through a field with some electrocuted wires.

Seriously, why would you bother?

Same reason I'm learning how to dive off 1, 3 and 5m boards from next week - cos someone asked me if I fancied it and it sounded fun!

itsallaboutheL

Being the nice person that i am, i have no problem hooking you up to the fencer at home, i'll even drag the mobile one up to Dublin for you.

Oryx

Clothing wise shorts and a shirt will be ok in May. Even in freezing temps you don't need heavy clothes unless theres a lot of deep water. You might want weightlifting or cycling gloves to protect your hands tho. And the shocks aren't so bad I'd take them over some of the other stuff.

Hanley

Oryx wrote: »

Clothing wise shorts and a shirt will be ok in May. Even in freezing temps you don't need heavy clothes unless theres a lot of deep water. You might want weightlifting or cycling gloves to protect your hands tho. And the shocks aren't so bad I'd take them over some of the other stuff.

Might get myself a pair of Crossfit gloves so