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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider attempting to be a 'tough mudder' this summer?

46 replies

Borntorun25 · 02/02/2014 17:40

Tough mudder is a scary looking 12 mile obstacle course. Neighbour is organising a team and asked if I would be interested. Had a look at website and scared myself shitless but part of me really wants to have a go.
I'm just wondering if anyone out there has either done it or knows someone who has? Is it reasonable for a 'normal' person to give it a go or is it just all really good athletic/army types who do it?
I can run 13+ miles comfortably but my only upper body exercise is pushing the Hoover around occasionally!
Don't know anyone in RL who has experience of one, would be very appreciative of feedback from anyone who has.
Link is www.toughmudder.co.uk

OP posts:
Original poster
Borntorun25 · 02/02/2014 17:43

Oops, will try link again.
www.toughmudder.co.uk

OP posts:
BertieBottsJustGotMarried · 02/02/2014 17:44

Well, you've got 4-6 months to train your upper body haven't you? Grin

overmydeadbody · 02/02/2014 17:46

do it!!

CherryLips1980 · 02/02/2014 17:47

My best friend did it last year - she had to train hard for it tho (she was already running 10ks). Says its the hardest physical thing shes ever done but she finished on a huge high and she is so proud of having done it.

It hasn't put her off though - she's doing it again this year. It sounds amazing! I wish I had the balls to train for and do it.

BertieBottsJustGotMarried · 02/02/2014 17:49

Haha, have you done the quiz on the site? I got the second one, thought I would get the "No way" result as I'm a total wuss and pretty unfit.

Quoteunquote · 02/02/2014 17:50

Get on your local indoor climbing wall and bouldering wall at least two to three times a week, you will be doing one hand pull ups within weeks, and your whole balance and your coordination will go up at least 5% to 10% a week,

You won't notice the hard work you will be having too much fun.

newestbridearound · 02/02/2014 17:54

This would literally be my idea of hell Grin but I have a friend who really fancies doing it and I know it's popular. If you feel you can cope with the training then go for it OP! There's loads of videos on youtube that people have taken around the course if you want a better idea of what it would be like.

Original poster
Borntorun25 · 02/02/2014 17:57

Tried the quiz but it wouldn't let me past the first page, maybe it's telling me something! Keeps saying there's something missing though I have filled in all the boxes.
Yes, I will have to get working on upper body, lots more hoovering for me Grin
I'm worried about the electric shocks!!! Just how painful are they? And does anyone end up lying incapacitated and twitching in the mud?

OP posts:
Original poster
Borntorun25 · 02/02/2014 18:04

Climbing wall is a great idea, I used to take DS2 and quite fancied giving it a go myself but never had time before. Would be ideal training for this, thanks for idea.

OP posts:
BakerStreetSaxRift · 02/02/2014 18:27

I contemplated doing this back when I could run half marathons, chickened out when I saw that you had to run through electric cables!

If during it you are struggling to get over the walls etc then the others help you, there is a lot of camaraderie. I'm sure, if you were female and doing it, you'd get a leg up from loads of people.

Go for it!

EmmaBemma · 02/02/2014 18:33

yeah why not. It's in the summer so won't matter if you get cold and wet. It's longer than I thought at 12 miles though - for some reason I thought tough mudders were only 10K or so? So would be tiring yes, much more so than a straight half marathon, but they do look a good laugh. And there would be no time pressure like in a half marathon - I've no idea what a good time for a tough mudder would be - would be more about the experience

Climbing does help with upper body strength, especially grip strength, but really you're supposed to use your legs to push you up more than your arms to pull you up. Your arms are more for balance most of the time unless you're going up an overhang or something. The best thing that has helped me with upper body strength was slowly learning how to do proper press ups last year. If you try to do a couple of sets every other day (making sure you've got good form) you'll be in great shape from those alone!

lougle · 02/02/2014 18:45

A group of men I know did it to raise money for a children's cancer ward. I think they all took the training pretty seriously, and all completed it. Running is a definite start, but you'll need to practice running in all weather conditions, on beaches, in muddy forests, etc.

TippiShagpile · 02/02/2014 18:46

Do it. I did it and it was amazing. I have never felt a sense of achievement like it.

Prettykitty111 · 02/02/2014 18:47

Oh god I so want to do this. But I don't know anyone else who would want to is anywhere near fit enough the fitness wouldn't bother me, it's the endurance/mental stuff

gordyslovesheep · 02/02/2014 18:49

DO IT! you will love it - I did

Aliama · 02/02/2014 18:49

yANBU. Nuts, maybe, but not U.

HotDAMNlifeisgood · 02/02/2014 18:49

I did one last year. It was fantastic!

I also have no upper body strength, but my team helped me haul my carcass up and over the walls.

It really was a wonderful experience for that "team" feeling, with all of us watching out for each other, leaving no-one behind, etc. And a great sense of achievement afterwards indeed!

TallGiraffe · 02/02/2014 18:49

My sister did it last year, she loved it!

My idea of hell personally Grin

HotDAMNlifeisgood · 02/02/2014 18:50

And lots of bruises. Bruises made of PRIDE! Smile

LordEmsworth · 02/02/2014 18:50

There is a really interesting article about "obstacle races" in this month's Runner's World.

Not for all the tea in China will I be voluntarily electrocuting myself

McPie · 02/02/2014 18:58

I done it in August last year and will be doing it again in June. It was hard but I loved it, you don't have to do every obstacle which was good as I am not too keen on heights so missed those ones out.
If you do go for it then I would work on your upper body strength as I struggled on the climbing wall and getting over things, I have started doing strength training now and will be working on my running and hope to be able to get round quicker than the 5 hours it took me last year.

McPie · 02/02/2014 19:00

The zaps are not that bad and if you are smart on the electric eel then you zig zag your way through the wires without getting anything other than a couple of snaps on the arse, was rather proud of myself on that one Grin

brainwashed · 02/02/2014 19:12

Someone from my running club did it. I would like to but the electric shocks put me off a bit...also the jump from a height into murky water of an unknown depth ( and there was a death in the us I think where someone didn't come back up). But as part of a team where you're all looking out for each other it could be great fun!
I did do an adventure race last year in the rat race series...minor obstacles such as scramble nets etc and water crossings where you're up to your waist in freezing water(remember how cold it was last march?!). That was great fun and I am planning to do the longer night version next year...it will be my son's 18th birthday present complete with visit to the beer tent after!

RussianBlu · 02/02/2014 19:15

I though you were doing street talk for being a tough mother in the summer holidays.

Yo, s'up peeps? I'm one tough mudda!

MrsWolowitz · 02/02/2014 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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