Thanks for the video and feedback, Ironliftr3, I appreciate the heads up! My training partner and I are doing a Warrior Dash in mid-May, and I had said previously that if when we finish, we feel like we could run it again, we are on track in training. I figure if we are winded, that’s a problem.
I’m definitely NOT a 160lb quasi-gymnast, so it’s good to hear that guys with a little mass can do well. I am also in the middle of bulking season, and didn’t want to augment my physique goals just to run this course.
That’s kinda where I was… my girlfriend got into these last year. I did a Warrior Dash-ish type run back in October, and it was a lot of fun, but honestly, some of my workouts leave me more worn out. I wanted to do this as a challenge, but didn’t want to sacrifice my physique goals for it.
After doing this, any 5K Warrior Dash isn’t worth getting out of bed for. One of the signs along the course said ‘If you were doing the Warrior Dash, you’d be done by now’, at about mile 4.
Another said “There is no shame in not finishing the Tough Mudder. The shame is in signing up for a 3 mile run”.
Great info guys. I’m doing the VT Tough Mudder on May 6, about 12 weeks away. One of my questions is: Have you found improper footwear to be an issue? (aside from broken toes of course.)
PaddyM, First thing on shoes is to make sure they will not get sucked off your feet in the mud. After that, it depends on what the course is like in the one you’re doing. The 2 I did were both at ski resorts in CA and that meant lots of rocks -from gravel to Q-ball size so a shoe with good support and padding was a good idea. I used trail running shoes for both and saw more than one person struggling with 5-fingers.
However, on other courses you don’t have the downhills and the rocks and a light weight shoe might work fine.
One other thing, no G-Tex or other waterproof type uppers. The shoes will fill with water and it will not drain well.
I wore a pair of Brooks running shoes that I bought off of ebay, They’re similar to the Brooks I have for running, but I knew they’d get trashed. Tying them TIGHT is a must, DOUBLE knot them, because as stated above, they WILL get sucked off otherwise. I saw people duct taping them on, but I didn’t have any issues with a tight double knot.
I wore an Under Armor compression shirt, and a t-shirt, and compression pants and lose running shorts. Less clothes is better because you WILL be wet. I didn’t wear gloves and had no issues other than the cold wind.
They have water stations every couple miles, but I was so cold I couldn’t force myself to drink anything. I couldn’t see carrying a pack, it will get caught on some of the tunnels, and be one more soaking wet thing to haul around.
Four day’s later, and I’m still worn out. No longer ‘sore’, but just that drained and tired feeling (I’ve been the the gym every day, but just doing light workouts, 5/3/1 deload week style). My girlfriend is covered in bruises.
If it’s warm I would skip the shirt altogether. They just get wet and weigh you down when trying to swim. If you’re worried about the sun or heat (and want a shirt to keep wet and cool) then I would suggest tight.
I skipped gloves in the first one and started with them in the second, but took them off. They just got wet. The only obstacle that I found grip to be a problem was the monkey bars going accross the water, but they were so greased up that nothing would help at that point.
Depends on how long you plan on being on course. The aid stations at both events I did were pretty sparce - water and banannas only. I carried a few GU gels in a pocket and drank water at every aid station. They may have improved things since then. If it’s hot and you’re out there more than 3 hours you might want a bottle, but go with something slim so it does not get in the way. I found the GU’s to be great because trying to eat a bar on the run is a pain.
[quote]KBurnett wrote:
PaddyM, First thing on shoes is to make sure they will not get sucked off your feet in the mud. After that, it depends on what the course is like in the one you’re doing. The 2 I did were both at ski resorts in CA and that meant lots of rocks -from gravel to Q-ball size so a shoe with good support and padding was a good idea. I used trail running shoes for both and saw more than one person struggling with 5-fingers.
However, on other courses you don’t have the downhills and the rocks and a light weight shoe might work fine.
One other thing, no G-Tex or other waterproof type uppers. The shoes will fill with water and it will not drain well.[/quote]
Thanks for the info! Mine is at a ski resort also so I’ll definitely keep that in mind. My shoes right now are new balance minimus and I use them on trails but I’ll probably get something a little more supported and padded.
[quote]KBurnett wrote:
If it’s warm I would skip the shirt altogether. They just get wet and weigh you down when trying to swim. If you’re worried about the sun or heat (and want a shirt to keep wet and cool) then I would suggest tight.
I skipped gloves in the first one and started with them in the second, but took them off. They just got wet. The only obstacle that I found grip to be a problem was the monkey bars going accross the water, but they were so greased up that nothing would help at that point.
Depends on how long you plan on being on course. The aid stations at both events I did were pretty sparce - water and banannas only. I carried a few GU gels in a pocket and drank water at every aid station. They may have improved things since then. If it’s hot and you’re out there more than 3 hours you might want a bottle, but go with something slim so it does not get in the way. I found the GU’s to be great because trying to eat a bar on the run is a pain.[/quote]
great info…thanks.
my team ranges from great shape to awful. i hope to be able to finish in 2.5hrs or less, don’t want to be out in the sun running much more than that.
[quote]PaddyM wrote:
Great info guys. I’m doing the VT Tough Mudder on May 6, about 12 weeks away. One of my questions is: Have you found improper footwear to be an issue? (aside from broken toes of course.)[/quote]
Just watch out whenever you’re coming down the mountain and you’ll do fine. That’s what did me in with my Five Fingers.
DON’T go shirtless. When you’re sliding through tubes or sliding around on gravel (some places do include gravel and other rough surfaces) that shit will tear you up. Everyone I’ve ever ran close to without a shirt has said they regret it. If it’s not bitterly cold, skip the Under Armour. I’ve run in UA and a regular t shirt. T shirt’s work fine. They don’t weight you down that much.
Also PaddyM, as long as you keep your shoes tied tight you’ll be fine. My gf ran in her cheap running shoes and she whouped my ass. All the detailed shit like what to wear, what to bring as far as food and water…kids stuff. People get crazy and run in suits and ties or halloween costumes. If they can finish so can you. The first one I did was 12 miles and I feel I came over prepared. The second time I had nothing - just used the water stations and the stuff they’d give out at different sections.
As long as you want to finish you’ll do fine. The most important thing is to have fun. Anyone that’s been to one of these things will tell you that as soon as you get there the atmosphere is just electric. Even spectators will encourage you to keep going, and congratulate you on doing well. There’s no better feeling.
[quote]Chris-Adams wrote:
Has anyone done the Worlds Toughest Mudder?
It’s a race to see how many laps of the course you can do in 24hours. Only 10% manage to last the 24 hours. Would love to give it a go.[/quote]
That sounds absolutely ridiculous. Just signed up for the 2nd TM up at Mount Snow in July. Was pretty excited that there was a current forum on TMs. I’m really looking forward to it, but I definitely have to start doing some more conditioning work. Sprints 1-3x per week definitely isn’t going to cut it.
Also, it was not mandatory that you complete every obstacle at WTM - you could “fail” on them and take a time penalty. I read a few bolgs by people who competed who said that people would come to a hard obstacle and just take the time penalty rather that spend a lot of energy trying to do it.
Was not against the rules so all’s fair, but personally I don’t like the idea. What’s the use of making the obstacles so hard that people (even the top people) simply sit them out or can’t do them at all?
I’ve done two Tough Mudders and going for my third this fall. Both times I comepleted every obstacle with no problems. Very rarely had any help. Climbed every Berlin wall by myself. Actually the second time I climbed them and pulled my dad up and over too.
I think you should definitely give an honest effort to complete every obstacle. I guess it helps to be 6’2 with an athletic background too…
Vermont’s Berlin walls sucked. The mud was up to our knees by the time my group got to them. They were towards the end of the course too, so we were pretty spent. My brother tore his pants all the way up one leg to the crotch and I nearly fell off the top of one when I posted my weight on a fresh surgery scar.
