WWW: 11 Tips For Your First Mudrun

I coached Erica as she prepared for her first mudrun. She is obviously no stranger to competition but she was still nervous about this. I put forth some of my best work to get her prepared and by the end of training she felt like she could at least push through. She wound up passing the guys in her group and learning a lot. She's already signing up for more challenging runs and is back in the grind training. Here she explains to all the newbies (male and female) what she wished someone had told her.

What I learned and what you should know if you ever want to do a mud run:

1.      If you’re a girl, don’t wear your hair up high on your head because it will catch everything you’re crawling under.

2.      The less layers the better

3.      No jewelry… not even a watch

4.      Run in teams smaller than 3, otherwise you’re going to have to do a lot of waiting on people through obstacles ( unless you’re not worried about staying together)

5.      Be excited and friendly because people will help you and encourage you. It’s all for fun!

6.      Don’t underestimate your abilities or chances before doing an obstacle. I have never been able to climb a rope. I almost stopped because I had already told myself I couldn’t. But I could and I did! It sounds corny but believe in yourself!

7.      Don’t chew gum… if your mouth is open during any you’ll enjoy some nice mud taste and texture

8.      Don’t be a clean freak. You will get completely soaked and dirty front and back, head to toe, and places you’ve never imagined mud or dirt being. So expect it and wear clothes and shoes that you don’t care about. I don’t know if they will come clean or not. All of mine are in the washer as we speak.

9.      Rest and rehab! I should’ve put this number 1. I am big on fighting through the pain and completely destroyed my left hip and almost cost me suffering through this race. Luckily, though, through some really unfun rehab with Drew, we got it back to normal. If something is acting up, don’t run 6 miles in tears. Get it taken care of so you can perform better. There’s a time to be stubborn and a time to listen to your body. Rest and sleep is so crucial!

10.  Diet is a big player in this. You have to fuel your body to torture it. I stayed paleo and carb loaded on my days I busted it. Whatever works for you but I suggest staying away from a lot of processed stuff because you’ll lag more and feel worse.

11.  Last and final… Drew Hill’s workouts will be harder than the actual thing you are preparing for. I was over prepared and loved it! I have been sore the past 5 weeks but wasn’t for the first time after running the THOR. I got to have fun and bust it and enjoy myself knowing this was a free day compared to all the brutal days I am used to.

Set some goals, hit up Drew, and go after it! No excuses! Do you endu? [endunamoox@gmail.com]

2 Timothy 4:7-8

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Philippians 3:12-14

 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.