Looking through the previous
articles I noticed that many of you like to be physically active. This week I
would like to tell you about a couple of fitness events combining endurance and
strength. Inspired by military obstacle courses, they are a challenge both for
runners and those who train crossfit or similar forms of fitness.
Tough Mudder
The first organized event that I
discovered was the Tough Mudder. Right now it takes place all around the world
and already over 1.3 million participants have taken part in this challenge.
The first race was held in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy
Livingstone, two British Harvard post-graduates. Its goal was to put physical
and mental strength to test.
In general a Tough Mudder is a 10-12 miles run that is
made up of 20-25 various obstacles. These kind of competitions focus on
teamwork, hence a lot of obstacles are almost impossible to complete without
the assistance of another person. The variety of challenges that participants
face is overwhelming. Not only do they have to have a great endurance (it’s
hard to run ~15km without any preparation), but they have to face climbing over
walls, swimming in ice cold water or even passing through wires with
electricity hanging over their path.
Runmageddon
A couple of weeks after discovering the Tough
Mudder I came across posters adevertising the Runmageddon. It is a polish
version of this intense obstacle course. What caught my attention was the distinction
between three different toughness levels. You can sign up for: Runmageddon
Recruit, Classic or Warrior. This are the basic categories, but that’s not all.
Occasionally they organize special events like Mini-Runmageddon or Mountain
Runmageddon Hardcore (this one sounds insane…). What distinguishes each type
from another is the distance that you have to run (5-15km) and the number of
obstacles to tackle. To participate you have to sign up in advance and pay the
entrance fee that not only covers your starting number but also a tech t-shirt,
electronic time measuring chip, deposit bag, a dog tag, bandana and cold drinks
at the finish line. If you sign up as a team it’s possible to get some nice discounts.
Men Expert Survival Race
This is the obstacle course that got me most
interested. It also has different levels of difficulty: Warrior – 5km and 20
obstacles, Hero – 10km and 30 obstacles. Some of the obstacles that I quite
exited to face in this year’s edition are:
‘Elektrofaza’ – A 4x6m cage with electrical
wires hanging down. The organizers are saying that this will be a shocking and
electrifying finish of the run.
Triceps Killer:
Walk above the water:
About two week before the run an interactive
map is published where participants can get a closer look at the course that
they will have to tackle.
Anyone wants to join me and get a little muddy?
Sources:
http://menexpertsurvivalrace.pl/info/przeszkody/#0
Comments
I think that in order to to participate in such an event you have to train regularly for months, you can not go without physical form. Personally I will stay being a fan of the usual occupations of running or swimming, I do not need such experience.
Here is a funny video of inflatable obstacle course. It may be a little bit more "childish" than your example but I think it seems to be extremely fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9iTkL_3zQc
Before this I would like to try myself in "Bieg Rzeźnika" - over doubled marathon (77,7km) in Bieszczady. Out of 1500 participants only 300 finished it. You have to run in team with 1 partner where you help each other.
How long have you been training for Survival Race?
I've been preparing myself for this race since April, I hope that I'll be able to finish it :)
However, some time ago on the TV I've seen something I may try - Mud Football :D There is even a thing called Mud Bowl. You can see the pictures from it here.. I could try it, because it looks more like fun and getting dirty than something requiring some incredible skill (and I'm terrible at football!)
It is also nice that it is a team sport. I personally prefer team sports than individual. Playing any sport helps to keep good condition and endurance but team sports are developing also other skills such as cooperation and responsibility.
Currently, my health unfortunately didn't allow me to participate in the competition, however, as soon as possible for sure I'll try to take part in one of these events.