Mudwoman aspirations
May 1, 2012 8:04 AM Subscribe
Is 3 months a feasible time frame to train for a Mudman race when I can't currently lift my bodyweight?
My husband is excited to try the Mudman race this year and has invited me to go along with him. I don't know if I can feasibly get strong enough for it in time.
My history: 31 year old woman, just started running last May. Did the C25k thing over the summer and ran a ~32min 5k in September and, with some lazing about and training, ran a ~34min 5k two weeks ago.
(I'm ok with being slower as it was a route that had hills and I know I didn't train as consistently as I could have this winter).
In February I started some strength training and have discovered I can do 3 sets of 5 assisted chin-ups and dips that equate to about 45-60 pounds each.
My concern is that I weigh between 165 and 170 (depending on the day) and the Mudman obstacles look to involve a LOT of pulling and climbing - including climbing a rope up over a wall. And I can't currently chin-up or dip my body weight, which to me is a very similar exercise.
I'm not looking to lose weight - I like me; I like getting fitter and stronger; I like eating mostly healthy; I'm so over diets and counting calories.
I work full time, but am willing to lift more weights more often during the week. I just am concerned that it's not feasibly possible for a me to get that strong in such a short time period.
Am I selling myself short? Is there a training regimen you can think of that would get me to Mudman strength in three months or should I set my sights on Mudman next year?
My husband is excited to try the Mudman race this year and has invited me to go along with him. I don't know if I can feasibly get strong enough for it in time.
My history: 31 year old woman, just started running last May. Did the C25k thing over the summer and ran a ~32min 5k in September and, with some lazing about and training, ran a ~34min 5k two weeks ago.
(I'm ok with being slower as it was a route that had hills and I know I didn't train as consistently as I could have this winter).
In February I started some strength training and have discovered I can do 3 sets of 5 assisted chin-ups and dips that equate to about 45-60 pounds each.
My concern is that I weigh between 165 and 170 (depending on the day) and the Mudman obstacles look to involve a LOT of pulling and climbing - including climbing a rope up over a wall. And I can't currently chin-up or dip my body weight, which to me is a very similar exercise.
I'm not looking to lose weight - I like me; I like getting fitter and stronger; I like eating mostly healthy; I'm so over diets and counting calories.
I work full time, but am willing to lift more weights more often during the week. I just am concerned that it's not feasibly possible for a me to get that strong in such a short time period.
Am I selling myself short? Is there a training regimen you can think of that would get me to Mudman strength in three months or should I set my sights on Mudman next year?
Best answer: My wife and I finished a similar race just a few weeks ago, and I agree with restless_nomad. Do some basic strength training and you'll be fine. The worst thing that might happen is you'll have to go around an obstacle instead of completing it. The cardiovascular fitness required to actually run the 5K is the hardest part, and it sounds like you have that no problem. I'll also add that this kind of thing is incredibly fun and invigorating, and you should definitely do it.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:03 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 9:03 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
you're looking to finish, right, and not get ranked ? Given the length (5k) and number of obstacles (17), I'm not sure how much 'running' you'll be doing (2 "long" stretches and then a whole lotta obstacles from looking at the map)
Can you hop a fence easily ? Crawl on arms/legs (army crawl) ? (Though the barbed wire is usually a lot higher than an army crawl calls for).
Lots of folks struggle with the cargo net and wall climbs. As resless_nomad says, arms are for support, legs for climbing.
I'd also agree with his comment that the monkey bars might be the hardest. (Well, slogging through all the water obstacles will be hard and slow)
For most of those, you can practice at a local park. Ya might look strange as an adult on the kids playground, but there are monkey bars and usually some climbing type obstacles..
posted by k5.user at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Can you hop a fence easily ? Crawl on arms/legs (army crawl) ? (Though the barbed wire is usually a lot higher than an army crawl calls for).
Lots of folks struggle with the cargo net and wall climbs. As resless_nomad says, arms are for support, legs for climbing.
I'd also agree with his comment that the monkey bars might be the hardest. (Well, slogging through all the water obstacles will be hard and slow)
For most of those, you can practice at a local park. Ya might look strange as an adult on the kids playground, but there are monkey bars and usually some climbing type obstacles..
posted by k5.user at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
As long as you are looking to just finish you should be fine with continuing your current exercise regime. In the course I ran last fall, the monkey bars were indeed the hardest part as k5.user pointed out. It was even harder than usual since everyone is wet and covered with mud. I didn't feel bad about not completing that obstacle and from the looks of it, most of the other people in the race didn't either.
posted by mmascolino at 9:13 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mmascolino at 9:13 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: you're looking to finish, right, and not get ranked ?
Right. Even being in the top 50% isn't on my radar. I would like to cross the finish line, but I'd also like to not be a crying puddle of fail because I can't haul my ass over a wall.
posted by jillithd at 9:14 AM on May 1, 2012
Right. Even being in the top 50% isn't on my radar. I would like to cross the finish line, but I'd also like to not be a crying puddle of fail because I can't haul my ass over a wall.
posted by jillithd at 9:14 AM on May 1, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks for all of the input. I have decided to go for it! Excited and scared, now!
posted by jillithd at 11:47 AM on May 1, 2012
posted by jillithd at 11:47 AM on May 1, 2012
it'll be fun, really. A 2-pack-a-day friend did one with me and a group. He walked when he was tired, jogged when he could, and made it over the obstacles to finish.
posted by k5.user at 11:54 AM on May 1, 2012
posted by k5.user at 11:54 AM on May 1, 2012
In the course I did (urbanathalon) the wall climb at the end had plenty of course provided assistants to push you over if you needed help.
posted by garlic at 12:00 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by garlic at 12:00 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
k5.user: "A 2-pack-a-day friend did one with me and a group. He walked when he was tired, jogged when he could, and made it over the obstacles to finish."
Yeah, my wife and I did a bit of training for our race, but we knew our cardio shape was not going to be good enough to run the full distance. That coupled with the fact that my wife had just gotten over a really bad chest cold (so her lung capacity was not at its peak) meant that we ended up walking the majority of the course. Despite that, some of the obstacles were so intense and insane (50ft hands and knees crawl through a 3ft by 3ft tunnel, 30ft military crawl up and down hills through mud, cargo net climb, etc.) that we both felt like fucking superheroes when we emerged from the course. You will be very scared and very excited, even as you are running the race, I bet.
The only obstacle we didn't complete was a series of wooden posts set into the ground, about three to four feet high and two to three feet apart, and you were supposed to jump from one to the next. We attempted it, but neither of us have a great sense of balance, and it just seemed too likely to result in injury if we fell off one piling and into the next one. I don't think either of us could have done the monkey bars that are planned for your course.
In any case, we are already making up our training regimen for next year's race! You will have a blast.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:32 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yeah, my wife and I did a bit of training for our race, but we knew our cardio shape was not going to be good enough to run the full distance. That coupled with the fact that my wife had just gotten over a really bad chest cold (so her lung capacity was not at its peak) meant that we ended up walking the majority of the course. Despite that, some of the obstacles were so intense and insane (50ft hands and knees crawl through a 3ft by 3ft tunnel, 30ft military crawl up and down hills through mud, cargo net climb, etc.) that we both felt like fucking superheroes when we emerged from the course. You will be very scared and very excited, even as you are running the race, I bet.
The only obstacle we didn't complete was a series of wooden posts set into the ground, about three to four feet high and two to three feet apart, and you were supposed to jump from one to the next. We attempted it, but neither of us have a great sense of balance, and it just seemed too likely to result in injury if we fell off one piling and into the next one. I don't think either of us could have done the monkey bars that are planned for your course.
In any case, we are already making up our training regimen for next year's race! You will have a blast.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:32 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Technique is your friend - good technique will prevent injury and keep you from wearing out. I have run multiple Warrior Dash, a Super Spartan, and a couple of Muddy Buddy races. THe most recent was with my fiance, who is about you-shaped.
In order:
Over-Under: You want to 'pop' with your legs and arms at the same time, get your hips over the log, and slide over. Or squeeze your eyes tight, blow out through your nose, and quick down-and-under.
Check Your Balance: Interestingly, the quicker you go, the easier it will seem to be. Small, controlled steps, with your arms in close and knees flexed. Don't try to absorb movement with your waist, use your knees. Keeps your eyes on the end of the bar, your feet know where to go.
Hit The Deck & The Squeeze: dig your toes in as you move forward - you want to be pushing with your legs as you pull with your arms.
Nowhere But Up: If there are foot-holds, this becomes very easy. Use the rope to keep yourself as close to the wall as possible, and push up with your legs. If no footholds, you'll want to lean back more and walk up as you pull up, hand over hand, with your arms.
Web Of Lies: Grab the knots.
Hang In There: If you can do it fast, one hand per bar, go ahead. If not, tighten your core to reduce swinging, and hand-to-hand through the bars.
Mudmen Gladiators: Don't try to avoid them, you'll just get intercepted by two. Pick one and charge.
Add negative pullups (start on top of the bar, and lower yourself down with tensed muscles). Farmer's Walks will help develop your grip strength, but are completely optional.
Good luck, and have fun!
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:16 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
In order:
Over-Under: You want to 'pop' with your legs and arms at the same time, get your hips over the log, and slide over. Or squeeze your eyes tight, blow out through your nose, and quick down-and-under.
Check Your Balance: Interestingly, the quicker you go, the easier it will seem to be. Small, controlled steps, with your arms in close and knees flexed. Don't try to absorb movement with your waist, use your knees. Keeps your eyes on the end of the bar, your feet know where to go.
Hit The Deck & The Squeeze: dig your toes in as you move forward - you want to be pushing with your legs as you pull with your arms.
Nowhere But Up: If there are foot-holds, this becomes very easy. Use the rope to keep yourself as close to the wall as possible, and push up with your legs. If no footholds, you'll want to lean back more and walk up as you pull up, hand over hand, with your arms.
Web Of Lies: Grab the knots.
Hang In There: If you can do it fast, one hand per bar, go ahead. If not, tighten your core to reduce swinging, and hand-to-hand through the bars.
Mudmen Gladiators: Don't try to avoid them, you'll just get intercepted by two. Pick one and charge.
Add negative pullups (start on top of the bar, and lower yourself down with tensed muscles). Farmer's Walks will help develop your grip strength, but are completely optional.
Good luck, and have fun!
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:16 PM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
To add to TMOTAT comment:
Tire Dash This isn't football practice, so don't plant your feet in the tires, run along the rims/edges of the tires. You'll fly over it.
I heavily second the balance obstacle advice as well - speed is your friend.
posted by k5.user at 5:53 AM on May 2, 2012
Tire Dash This isn't football practice, so don't plant your feet in the tires, run along the rims/edges of the tires. You'll fly over it.
I heavily second the balance obstacle advice as well - speed is your friend.
posted by k5.user at 5:53 AM on May 2, 2012
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The thing is, climbing a rope over a wall involves using your arms to steady you as you climb up with your legs. Upper-body strength helps, but you are not dangling freely or anything like it. It's closer to climbing up a ladder.
Looking through the obstacles, it looks like the monkey bars will actually be the hardest, upper-body-strength-wise. And those are easy to practice! (You can also skip an obstacle if you really, really have to.)
In three months you can gain a fair amount of strength, and if you can hit the gym three days a week and do some barbell work, by all means do so, but you should be fine for a race like this with that kind of prep time. They're really not as hardcore as they'd like you to think.
posted by restless_nomad at 8:11 AM on May 1, 2012 [1 favorite]