Running in Mud: The Attraction of 5K's with Obstacles

I know, I know...some of you are saying, "Why would anyone run in mud?" "Why run a 5K instead of a marathon or a triathlon?" "Why run at all?!?" Fair enough, people, but as someone who is participating in the Hell Run (www.hellrun.com) this weekend, I might have some insight for you! Or maybe I'm just trying to justify to myself why I'm doing this thing...hmmmm...

Anyway, on to the first question...why do a 5K? It's a fairly short race, for one thing...there's a great program called Couch to 5K (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) that helps people go from zero to running a 5K in a few months. Also, there are a lot of races you can participate in, from fun runs and holiday-themed runs to fundraisers for charities. It's pretty easy to get a crew together to run with, and being part of a team can be a fun way to get to know people (or get to know them better). And hey, there's usually some fun schwag (giveaways) at the event.

Now on to the tougher question...why run a 5K where you also crawl through mud, climb over large wooden walls, and jump over fire? Well, the people who do this are usually of a slightly different breed than those who run 5K's. The names for these races are very impressive-sounding (Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, Hell Run) and those that participate tend to glory in the filthy and grimy, and feel very hardcore. I personally don't like getting dirty, but I was attracted to this kind of race for a different reason, one that I'm sure others share. It's kind of a dirty little secret of mine. I hate running (there, I said it). Like, really despise running. Long-distance running, that is. I have an abundance of Type II muscle fibers (also known as fast-twitch) which makes me very dangerous over short distances (like the dwarf in Lord of the Rings). Give me a workout where I can do something for a minute as hard as I can, then do something totally different for the next minute, ad infinitum, and I'm in heaven. Ask me to do the same thing for a half hour? I'm in hell. That being said, I inherited heart issues from my Dad, and I know it's important for me to be in good cardio health. I've achieved this in my adult life mostly by kickboxing, but I've found it harder to get to classes in the last few years since my second kiddo. I need something I can train for at the gym or outside by myself. So the idea of a 3 mile run broken up by 7 obstacles that I can clamber over or crawl under seems like a reasonable compromise.

These are some things I've considered while training for this event - if you're thinking of doing one, these might be helpful! Wear shoes that you don't mind throwing away when it's over...I suggest Value Village. Prepare yourself mentally for running/jumping in conditions that are unfamiliar to you, like having clothes and shoes full of mud. And let a good part of your training mirror as closely as possible what you're going to be doing. In addition to longer, slower runs and strength training, I've been doing this ridiculously hard interval training. I run for .4 miles, then hop off the treadmill and do some pullups. Then I hop back on for another .4 miles, and then it's bear crawl time. I pretty much want to shoot myself around the 3rd round, but I've gotten up to 6 rounds so far and am feeling good about my preparation. We'll see if it's enough to get me over the gauntlet!

The race is this Saturday. My Hell Run nickname is "Galactic Ninja." I will be in costume. Pics to come! :)

sand

Yes, sand. If you've never trained in sand before, you're kinda missing out! First of all, it greatly increases the difficulty of simple exercises. Jumping or bounding is much more difficult with the extra drag, so it's more bang-for-your-buck if you're looking to get your heart rate up in a short amount of time. Secondly, the sand cushions the impact on your joints during your movements. Here's a few of my favorite exercises in case you want to give it a try!

* I'm a fan of doing full-body exercises like bear crawls in sand...this is a great exercise for martial artists and rock climbers because it increases hand and wrist strength! The important thing to remember to keep your wrist in a neutral position (i.e. neither flexed nor extended) throughout the movement...that way you strengthen the wrist joint instead of compromising it! And, uh, watch the sand-kickback...it's not so easy on the eyes. ;)

* Any jumping exercise you do on land easily translates to sand, but remember that your balance will be more greatly challenged on sand. I suggest trying this progression: double legs hops (DLH), DLH from side to side, double leg jumps (traveling forward or zigzaging diagonally). Once you've mastered these, start at the beginning at the beginning of the progression using a single leg. And make sure you train both legs equally!

There's some good info on this webpage as well - check it out!(http://www.verticaljumping.com/sand_training.html)

So find a lonely spot of beach...or just use the sandpit at ZUM (http://www.clubzum.com/team-roster/meet-the-pros.html). Enjoy the last bits of summer!! :)

Do a different thing

You know what's been a super helpful part of my life this year? Therapy. After years of saying that I'm just fine, therapy is for people with "real" problems, I can deal with my eccentricities, etc., I finally gave it a try. Brilliant!! Everyone should give it a shot. But anyway, I gleaned a little nugget of knowledge from my therapist that might speak to you. I was speaking to a long-time client this morning who's in a difficult spot. She feels unmotivated, not just to lose the recent weight that she's gained, but in the rest of her life as well. She knows what she needs/wants to do, she's just having a hard time overcoming inertia enough to actually do any of it. I've certainly felt that way before (and often), and I'm betting most of you have as well. Life can seem overwhelming, and sometimes there's so much wrong going on that it seems there's no point in doing right. I'm a total perfectionist, and when I'm in that headspace, it feels like any good thing I do for my life or my situation is just a drop in a really stupid ocean.

Here's something that therapy taught me, something that I brought into play when brainstorming with my client about a path forward. In order to start the ball rolling, in order to make a difference, you just have to do a different thing. In other words, make the choice to walk around the city for half of your lunch hour. Ask yourself if you're really still hungry before you go get seconds. Start the work project that's been hanging over you because it looks too big and scary. Just begin something. The more little things you do, the more you start to seem to yourself like someone who can "do things." You get the immediate results of your choices, and those little choices build toward a long-term impression of yourself that is different, that is not bound by inertia. You're moving.

In my mind, "health" and "fitness" are about so much more than having toned arms. It's about feeling good in your own skin...feeling not only physically capable of participating in the activities that interest you, but having the drive to get out there and do them. It's more a state of mind than anything else, or rather, the state of mind is the real key to being healthy as long as you live. It's not easy...but it's not impossible either. Trainers can help (and so can therapists). How many small awesome choices can you make for yourself today? :)