Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tips For Mud Runs!

It may be a while until my next run, but I'm not taking a break. If anything, I feel like I have more time to train. It could be that I now have a free Sunday to either workout or rest on, but either way I plan to improve. Later this year I want to complete . . . buh bum bum . . . Spartan Beast.

You may be asking yourself what is Spartan Beast? Well it's more grueling than Tough Mudder, mostly because you can't skip any obstacles and many obstacles are a bit crazy. By the way, if you want to skip an obstacle or you fail at one, you get to advance only if you complete 30 burpees. That's right . . . everyone's enemy - burpees.

I've completed a lot of runs this year. I think the number is in almost in the double digits. So here are some tips I've picked up on the way.

1) A bag or backpack may be difficult to carry but you can always pin a ziplock bag inside your shorts. I kept some sports beans, some wipes (because I wore goggles because I just recently got Lasik), some eye drops, Q-tips and a 20 dollar bill. The money was probably a bad idea but I didn't want to take my wallet with me. Looking back I should have also put a small container of sunscreen or lip balm. Surprisingly after jumping into a small pond, swimming under water and into ice cold baths, everything was safe in the ziplock. By the way, I sandwiched it between my underwear and shorts.

2) Wear proper clothes. Many people recommend to not wear cotton socks because you may get blisters but I never have. I do recommend wearing trail shoes or shoes with support. I usually wear an old pair of running shoes but I could definitely use a pair that supported my ankle. Realize that these shoes will need a whole lot of cleaning and washing afterwards. If you are lazy most places have a place you can donate them afterwards. Also, bring a change of clothes most, not all events, have a place to wash up and change. And please do not tape your shoes. It doesn't do anything to keep them on. Just double knot your shoes. I do that for every run, even 5ks without mud and I have never lost a shoes or stopped to tie them. Even when my foot was so deep in mud I swear something was pulling me under. Just grab it and pull. Plop! Shoe still attached.

Wear comfortable clothes. Compression shorts and shirt help during the cold events. I also recommend dry fit clothes to wick away sweat and water. And I wish I had a good idea for bibs. They always tear off me. If it's on my back, front, shorts; I can't figure out the best place. So I do suggest keeping an eye on them because you can easily stab yourself with a pin.

3) It's meant to be fun. At many spots I stopped to help my friends and also helped strangers get over obstacles. And don't be afraid to ask for help or let people help you. You may want to accomplish things on your own but realize that it can be dangerous out there.

4) People do get hurt. During Tough Mudder I saw golf carts hauling back people with broken noses and arms. If you can't do an obstacle, dont! If you are scared, don't do it. It's your body telling you that you are not safe and many times it's right. One person in our group skipped half the obstacles, but she didn't get her face or arms broken like other people I saw.

Watch out for any events with long wires. They can wrap around your neck and cause serious pain, especially when they have electricity surging through them. I suggest raising your hands like a triangle so that your neck and face are protected. And watch your step and the people ahead of you. If they fall at a certain spot, remember it because you may fall there too.

5) Be courteous. I almsot lost a friend on a high wall climb when another runner, who was rushing, kicked out her arms as she reached the top. I knew he was in a hurry and tried to keep him away by pulling the rope he wanted away but he still collided with her. She could have fallen off the wall. Don't be that guy. Nobody likes that guy.

5) Be prepared. Workout! Run! Practice on similar obstacles. Being unprepared is just going to leave you sore both during and after the event. Just because it's a fun event doesn't mean it's just a fun kiddie roller coaster ride-- it's physically demanding. The best way to practice, especially for bigger events, is to do smaller ones.

I hope this helps!