I might seriously injure myself doing this?

[Onthewrongsideof30]

I'm fit and active. Train 6 days and due to a bit of personal unhappiness (fertility issues) have decided to throw myself into exercise, while I deal with the grief. I'm due to do a tough mudder shortly. Half marathon with army style obstacles. I have trained for it.
However I have read about all the things that can go wrong, broken teeth, infection, broken ankles etc. plus they make you sign a waver for person injury. I'm scared, I love running but I don't like being cold, dirty, heights or in small spaces. All of which the obstacles will involve. Should I swallow my pride and cancel or face the fear and do it anyway? Help !

You'll be fine!

I'm doing Nuclear Rush on Saturday and injury never crossed my mind. Same when doing Tough Mudder. I know dozens of people who've done it multiple times. No injuries. Just do what you're comfortable with and work with your team.

I loved the HM TM I did.. it’s not really a race so there is no sense of competition between participants, just vs yourself and your perceived limits. With a team you’ll be supported over the obstacles. I did it with my DH and we ended up helping solo runners, joined up with other teams and generally had a great day! And you’ll relish getting wet and muddy! You’ll probably be disappointed when you do an obstacle well enough to avoid the water haha!

May have to look up to signing up for another one as a goal for post birth fitness talking about it now haha!

Very sorry about your fertility problems.

It sounds like you will dread the event, which might not be good at the moment. If you don’t actually like the idea of doing it, don’t! It’s your leisure time.

Self care.

To be honest, you won't even notice being wet and muddy, honestly. It took me 2 years to convince a friend to join me but she hated being wet. Last year she gave in and loved it & we all booked this year straight away! She said you get so engrossed in helping people and working out how to do things, that you don't consider being wet or muddy.

The electrocution is only on a car battery, it makes you jump but doesn't hurt - and you can opt out! (Although i am well practiced with getting electrocuted thanks to ponies and electric fencing)

Last year was the first time i got up Everest on first attempt too, i'm so not going to get up first time this year too

Right ladies, I'm feeling encouraged. Those who have done it I need your top tips. It's tough mudder full, it's in 4 days. It will be 23/24 degrees. Hit me !

Pushing yourself to do something that's a bit scary and achieving it is exhilarating, you signed up for a reason, enjoy it. I've not done a tough mudder but similar events, I also went zip lining over a jungle this year and am petrified of heights it was incredible and other people were so encouraging and supportive. Sorry to hear about your fertility issues , don't give up, I have similar and just found out I'm pregnant.

Long leggings if you bruise / scrape easily, gloves (either weigh lifting ones, or very thin rubble type clubs), don’t forget to help others over obstacles after you have been helped!

It’s great fun

Oh you’ve already done all the training! Well prepared? That’s a bit different.

Go for it, hope it goes great!

I'm running in compression, tights and socks. Compression bra and team printed running top. Have trail ASICS shoes, which are broken in and can accept trashing them. Plan on taking hydration gels, for me and the team. Have been tapering my training and plan on carb loading 2/3 days prior. (As current diet is very lean and high protein)

I bet you a bag of Giant Chocolate Buttons that you will have the Best Buzz Ever after you've done it.

It sounds like you are ready.

Good luck and

I wonder if you've been cajoled into this by the FaceBook group and now don't want to lose face. You hate mud and enclosed spaces? You'll hate it.

I'd pull out personally. I watched my bil do a tough mudder and it was highly competitive, and involved things like lots of people struggling under army nets very close to the ground, lots of mud and hurling yourself over things.

I saw 2 broken arms and teeth knocked out. I would be devastated to lose a tooth as vain as that sounds and being in plaster would mean time off work and just a total disaster really.

Can you wear a small mouth guard, if you're really worried about your teeth? Might help...

Wear a sports mouth guard.

Honestly, Tough Mudder isn't that hard in terms of danger or whatever. Of course there are accidents in any race. I bet if anyone looked through the injuries people sustained on Parkrun they would feel a bit put off - it's like the fitness equivalent of reading the side effects of a drug! You look at ibuprofen or Rennie or something and read the side effects, you think you're gonna die!!

You will be fine You sound really fit, and very much prepared for this! And because there's an edge of unknown challenge in there, you will come out feeling a million dollars with your achievement.

I say this as someone who is quite cautious, too.

Please stop punishing yourself, it isn't going to help maybe this is a step too far, back out if you want to.🌸

@pigmcpigface so true every week I listen to them talk about the defib at parkrun. Never once do I think, oh shit I might need that!

I will admit I spent an hour googling mouth guard today at work. Lol

Don’t be hesitant to stop if you really feel uncomfortable. You sound like you know when you’ve pushed yourself far enough. If you don’t complete it, you know you’ve given it your best shot. If you do, massive sense of smugness and well deserved. Enjoy it! (If you can!)

dont do it, if it is not something you are going to enjoy. Dealing with fertility issues itself is stressful enough. Look after yourself, may be book a nice holiday , somewhere to go and relax. Dont make it pride thing. no one is judging you and those who do, dont really care about you. hugs

onthewrongside - Exactly! You are going to get a few bumps and scrapes in there, but hopefully nothing more serious. You have to be aware that you could sprain or break something, of course, but you can do that walking down the street.

And as for the mouthguard- preparation and awareness are good. I used to love doing mountain marathons and would spend hours googling the lighest tents in the world. It's part of the whole anticipation!

My DP has done this, and he said it was a fantastic thing to accomplish.

He doesn't like getting muddy and wet, however he really enjoyed this. He wants to do it again.

Just have fun OP. And if you really don't think you can do parts of the course, then don't do it.

Good luck

Sorry to piss on your strawberries but the volume and severity of injuries in tough mudders are significantly higher than other events. This is why you are signing a disclaimer which you wouldn't do for a Park run!

Be aware of those risks and make your decision accordingly. You'll probably be fine but let's not pretend you're not putting yourself in some danger.

One of the risks is that you simply cannot train for the obstacles in the way you'd prepare for a marathon. Jumping off a 9ft wall or running through a field of electrical wires while wet can't be compared to taking an ibuprofen. Let's get real.

Would it seriously impact your life if you were out of action with an injury? That would influence my decision. I simply cannot afford to have time off work and have people relying on me at home.

Sorry to be Mrs Boring and Sensible

You don't sound perfectly matched to this activity, tbh.

You’ll be fine. I’ve done loads and find them fun. Be sensible and operate within your limits. I have see people get injuries but they have all been proper accidents like falls. If you think something’s too much it’s ok to go round it

You’ve done the training so bloody well go for it!