So your friends are trying to talk you into a Tough Mudder? Your probably thinking, “not a chance”, right? Well that’s what I thought when I ran my first Tough Mudder. I was outta shape and the thought of running 500 yards terrified me.
I’m here to tell you, you can do it!
Myth 1: You have to be a muscle bound marathoner.
Most of us do not have a 6 pack that’s great but it certainly isn’t a necessity. What you do need is more mental toughness and the willingness to suffer through a little pain to achieve a goal. Wanting to cross the finish line is more important than having that 6 pack abs.
I have seen more than one guy who was chiseled that failed because they didn’t want it enough. Having a good team push you when you want to give up is also very important and I would argue more important. When you are part of a team, you will be surprised what you can accomplish!
Myth 2: You need to run 12 miles nonstop.
Ok, let’s get this out of the way. You will have to cover 12 miles BUT not all at once. So you will only need to actually run a ½ mile at a time. Anybody who puts in a little bit of cardio effort can do that. And if you can’t, that’s all the more reason you need to start getting in shape!
You should get to the point where you can run for a few miles without collapsing though. Remember, at the end of the ½ mile you will need strength to overcome the obstacle. Luckily there is not time you need to do it in, so you have as long as you need!
Myth 3: You have to have a team.
Couldn’t round up any of your friends to run a Tough Mudder or new in town? Well don’t worry. Yes, you will need some assistance with certain obstacles that cannot be done alone but trust me when I say that other Tough Mudders will help you.
Everyone is there for the same reason and if you just ask, most teams will take you onto their team. A real comradery develops out there among the Mudders and everyone wants to see everyone succeed.
Myth 4: Completing all the obstacle is mandatory.
Don’t tell anyone I said this but YES you can skip obstacles. If you have a severe case of claustrophobia or fear of heights or cant swim etc you don’t have to suffer a meltdown trying. It’s one thing if you are unable to PHYSICALLY complete an obstacle, other Mudders will help you.
I mean that’s half the fun and challenge is to face your fears and tough it out! Stretching yourself is what Tough Mudder is all about. You should try and complete every obstacle, trust me when I say, you will feel so proud of yourself and have such a feeling of accomplishment if you can complete them all!
Myth 5: You need to be training every day for Tough Mudder.
I would heartily encourage you to join a gym and start working out but it certainly doesn’t need to be everyday. You don’t have to be a gym rat. Honestly, if you can devote 3-6 hours a week, you should be fine. You should be doing that anyway!
Now you don’t HAVE to join a gym, I say that because most people don’t have the equipment that you may need. If you do, great! You can train at home but the problem is many people just don’t do it. There is something about going to a gym and being around other people working out that is motivating.
Now that we “Myth Busted” the top 5 myths of Tough Mudder, the rest is now up to you! To quote Nike, Just Do It!
To help you out with your training here are some other articles:
8 Exercises For Tough Mudder Preparation
Tough Mudder Workout Equipment
Tough Mudder Workout Plan
