Tag: obstacle race

  • How to Win a Warrior Dash Obstacle Race

    How to Win a Warrior Dash Obstacle Race

    This guest post comes from Jason Fitzgerald over at Strength Running. Jason wrote our original obstacle race training guide. Take it away, Jason!

    When I beat nearly 17,000 other people to win a Warrior Dash obstacle race, I was more surprised than anyone.

    It was my first obstacle race. I had no experience with any of the obstacles. And I was just having fun!

    I didn’t do any specific exercises or or practice any of the obstacles. If you’re wondering how I did it, I’ll show you how to train for Warrior Dash without ANY obstacle experience.

    My only goal was to have fun and see if Warrior Dash could live up to the hype. The experience led me to write a free report showing you the same principles that helped me win the race.

    Want in? You can download it now, for free.

    Warrior Dash Course Report

    Most Warrior Dash courses have a narrow start – requiring a strategic start. Get close to the starting line so you don’t get caught behind the hordes of runners behind you, wading through mud and yelling warrior battle cries.

    Obstacle courses are typically set up on trails or in enormous grass fields. The uneven footing will slow you down and present its own challenges, so stay vigilant about where you step.

    The first obstacle will likely come out of nowhere (seeing around a lot of people is tough!). Take your time; you don’t want to get cut by barbed wire or suffer a running injury from one of the obstacles.

    Soon, you’ll realize that the obstacles you’ll face are significant:

    • A cargo net stretching two stories high
    • A vertical wall with a thin rope to pull yourself to the summit
    • Multiple truck tires to jump through
    • A concrete tunnel to somehow traverse through
    • A cargo net to climb over (don’t get your leg caught!)
    • Mud, barbed wire, and fire. Get excited.

    Don’t forget the hills! Most obstacle race courses are on an unforgiving series of rolling hills, uneven terrain, and wet grass.

    Preparing for an event like this requires a smart approach – here’s how to achieve success.

    How to Train for an Obstacle Course Race

    Here are the top seven ways to train for an obstacle race:

    • Don’t get hurt! Barbed wire and fire are real! Slow down and crawl low enough under (and jump high enough over) these obstacles. Women should wear their hair low but put together so it doesn’t get caught. Make sure you assume all obstacles (like fire, electrically charged wires, or barbed wire) are real.
    • Start near the front.Don’t start near the back or you’ll be stuck behind the crowd. Bottlenecks behind obstacles always happen, so get out ahead of everyone else.
    • Slow down (seriously).Don’t rush over any of the obstacles. Even though you have to slow down, remember that you can’t continue if you fall off a 15-foot barrier and break your foot.
    • Strengthen those muscles!You’ll be a lot faster over the obstacles if you’re strong. You don’t need to bench 300 pounds, but get comfortable with general strength exercises like a good medicine ball workout.
    • If you want to run fast, run fast.Let’s remember that to run fast, you have to practice running fast. It’s very helpful to run a variety of paces in your training, whether that’s classic repetition workouts on the track, hill repeats, or fartlek runs
    • Become a trail runner. The VAST majority of obstacle race courses are on dirt paths, trails, grass, and other uneven terrain. You’ll be at a huge disadvantage if you’re not ready to run on this type of terrain. Trail running improves your proprioception, balance, agility, and ability to cover uneven terrain more quickly.
    • Run more. Always! There’s a reason I beat over 16,000 other runners to win a Warrior Dash and it has nothing to do with my agility, power, or strength. I was simply a stronger runner.

    Train like a runner and you’ll dominate any obstacle race you enter.

    Train Smart, Race Fast

    Don’t be intimidated to enter your first obstacle race. The majority of registrants are more inexperienced than you are – and most obstacle races are completely accessible to anyone with even a small amount of fitness.

    But if you want even more ways to train for Warrior Dash (and maybe even win!), check out the free report on obstacle races here.

    Here are a few ways to prepare:

    • Run a trail race. The uneven terrain and hills will definitely prepare you for any off-road obstacle race.
    • A Parkour class will teach you how to run over obstacles quickly.

    Obstacle racing is a new and different way to run fast. If you’re bored of traditional road races and need a different challenge, a race like the Warrior Dash might be just the thing to break you out of your rut.

    Just remember that runners will always be the top finishers at any obstacle race so train accordingly!

    photo: Thatcher Clay

  • The World’s Craziest 5K: ROC Race

    The World’s Craziest 5K: ROC Race

    The Ridiculous Obstacle Race, or ROC Race, is deemed the craziest 5K on Earth. Boasting the world’s largest inflatable slide, the race is inspired by game shows and offers some pretty nutty obstacles.

  • Buccaneer Rampage: Newport, Oregon’s First Obstacle Race [Interview]

    Buccaneer Rampage: Newport, Oregon’s First Obstacle Race [Interview]

    [youtube id=”as8ZZqFIfwc” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    It all started with a muddy mountain biking race. An obstacle race next? Why not.

    After a series of successful community events, the Department of Parks and Recreation in coastal Newport, Oregon began mapping out Newport’s first obstacle race, the Buccaneer Rampage. Set to run on August 24th, 2013, the Buccaneer Rampage will undoubtedly be the gnarliest mud/obstacle race on the Oregon coast.

    As Peggy mentions in the interview, “IT’S GONNA BE GREAT.”

    They’re building their own obstacles, and Liam has promised his racers a few clever surprises on the way.

    Oh, and the best pirate costume wins. Sounds like my kind of race!

    To those of you Nerve Rush supporters on the west coast – check out buccaneerrampage.com and register for the race. It benefits a great cause!

    Liam & Peggy – thanks for your time and look forward to following your success!

  • Spartan Race [Race Profile]

    Spartan Race [Race Profile]

    The Spartan Race series recently partnered with Reebok to help bring obstacle racing more legitimacy in the sporting world. The goal here is not to change the way Spartan Race series does their events, but to take it to another level like they did with CrossFit (if you haven’t seen the hot bodies running around at the Reebok CrossFit games you really need to get off the couch…like now). Even with the goal of bringing obstacle racing to the next level, there were people who questioned whether or not Joe and the Spartan camp had sold out. They thought maybe things were going to become more corporate and lose some of the aspects that make Spartan Race series one of the most popular race series out there. Well I am here to tell you that simply isn’t the case.

    [youtube id=”M4aM0fpS0IU” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    Having run Spartan races before the Reebok partnership and after all I can see that is different is that Reeboks name is on banners and t-shirts. Outside of that the good folks at Spartan Race haven’t changed anything. It’s still the same high energy, hot bodied, kick your ass race series its always been. If anything the Reebok partnership has inspired the crazies at Spartan Race to up their game where it matters, on the course.

    The SoCal Super Spartan in Temecula, CA was the first race since the partnership was announced,and it was a blast. Sure the weather sucked (rain in SoCal even in January is a bit out of place) but it didn’t stop thousands of folks from coming out and getting it done across the 8.5 miles of hills and 29 obstacles (yep 29, that was the official word from the Spartan folks, but honestly it felt more like 40 by the time you were done).

    There was the beer garden after you were finished, some food trucks with great pulled pork, loud music, a swag tent in case you needed stuff, oh yeah and men and women in as little clothing as they could get away with out on the course. No big fancy elaborate costumes at Spartan races, there is no room for them. You aren’t doing a mild jog up and down some muddy hills, no sir. People take these races seriously and that suits Joe and his crew just fine since their goal is to get as many people off the couch and moving as they can.

    Talking to some of the staff they all feel the same way. They are dedicated to using obstacle racing to change the bad habits of the fast food, easy living, millions in America (and the world) who have let themselves go an don’t know what living life is supposed to be like. Most people are hooked after one race. This race has literally changed lives. It is a kick you in your ass and never let up course that demands your respect and your attention. You will push, pull, cry, beg, and yell your way through a Spartan race. When its over you will understand what they mean when they say:

    “You’ll know at the finish line”

  • Rugged Maniac [Race Profile]

    Rugged Maniac [Race Profile]

    Deemed one of America’s best obstacle races, the Rugged Maniac is as straightforward and genuine as they come.

    A 5K run with 25 obstacles, live music and bountiful stock of booze. Is there  a better way to spend a weekend morning or afternoon? I think not.

    After the race — or if you’re simply not racing and want to enjoy a good party — hang out at a designated festival area with activities like mechanical bull-riding, tug-o-war and, YES, an adult-size bounce house. Huzzah! Rock out to live music and snag a free craft beer while wearing your race t-shirt. That’s the way to do it.

    rugged maniac website

    While some compete for a timed finish, most come out to enjoy the 25 obstacles laid out over hilly terrains like forests, fields, ski slopes and motocross tracks., which will test your mettle in more ways than one.  Some of them include:

    • Climbing 20-f0ot walls
    • Jumping over fire
    • Navigating mud tunnels

    Race heats are limited to 250 participants to avoid long lines.

    2013 Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race Schedule

    See below dates for the 2013 Rugged Maniac locations. For prices and more information, you can visit ruggedmaniac.com.

    2013 rugged maniac obstacle race schedule

  • Zombie Race / Run For Your Lives [Race Profile]

    Zombie Race / Run For Your Lives [Race Profile]

    Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse?

    Run For Your Lives, a 5K obstacle race, prepares anxious humans for a post-apocalyptic world. A world where zombies roam the streets in search of brains.

    zombie obstacle race cleaning
    Getting hosed off after the race

    First organized in 2011 at Camp Ramblewood in Baltimore, MD, Run For Your Lives attracted 12,000 people and in 2012 expanded to 11 more locations. Registrants can either sign up as a zombie or as obstacle race participants. Zombies are encouraged to show up in their own costume, though they are supplied with wardrobe and professional make-up.

    At the race in Amesbury Sports Park, I saw cowboy zombies, clown zombies, graduation zombies — you name it.

    The Zombie Obstacle Race Course

    So how does the race work, exactly? Well, like other obstacle races, participants trudge through mud and physically taxing obstacles. Throughout the course, zombies are positioned to try and steal one of 3 flags that each participant wears. It’s similar to flag football, though much more startling–I had zombies sneak up from behind, dart out from behind trees and leap up out of ditches. Fun stuff.

    zombie race hill
    In Amesbury, the first obstacle was a large hill.

    Participants are placed in waves of 300-450 people, depending on the course. Obstacles are natural and man-made. At the race in Amesbury, I ran through chest deep water and mud, crawled under an electric fence, sprinted through a zombie-infested open field and nearly fell into a trap following a sign through a door that said, “Free Cookies in Here!”

    Alan Perlman Zombie Race

    Throughout, but mostly after the race, the Apocalypse Party features food, drinks, vendors, live music and games. Camping is highly encouraged.

    How I Would Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

    With a shot gun, of course. And some duct tape.

    Despite a triumphant battle, my third flag was ungraciously yanked from my loins about two-thirds of the way into the course. Of the 5 other members on my team, one person survived! Again…shot gun.

    Zombie Obstacle Race

     

  • Mike Hrostoski’s Tough Mudder Adventure

    Mike Hrostoski’s Tough Mudder Adventure

    This is a Nerve Rush reader experience post. We’ve profiled the Tough Mudder before, but facts only do so much to tell you about the level of adventure in an obstacle race. So loyal Nerve Rush reader Mike Hrostoski took it upon himself to jump in and find out for himself. Take it away Mike!

    —

    Sometime this past spring, my friends Hannah and Lauren asked me if I wanted to run a Tough Mudder race with them. I recall the conversation over Facebook going something like this:

    Them: Hey, want to run Tough Mudder with us?

    Me: Huh? Tough Mudder? What is that?

    Them: It’s a 10-12 mile endurance event with obstacles designed by British Special Forces. We’ll run through miles of mud, crawl through underwater pipes, run up and down ski slopes, jump into a freezing cold river, climb a glacier, carry a log up a mountain, run through fire, and finish the race running through live wires with 10,000 volts of current running through them.

    Me: Hell yes!

    Fast forward to May 8, 2011 and I found myself staring up the slopes of Mt. Snow, VT with four other teammates. I came in with pretty high expectations of the race. I work out regularly, do yoga, and eat pretty well. I ran a half marathon lat October with no training and that was 13.1 miles. The Vermont Tough Mudder was only 10 miles so it couldn’t be that rough right?

    I was dead wrong. The first mile or so was straight up the mountain. We ran up and down the entire length of the mountain multiple times. In between running up and down ski slopes we dunked ourselves into freezing cold water time after time.

    At around mile 6 I had my first cramp. My calf completely locked up when I was pushing hard up a hill. I’ve gotten these before playing basketball so I just stretched it out, drank some more water, and pushed on. At around mile 8 the other calf locked up. A couple hundred meters after that my legs literally stopped working. They were completely cramping up from top to bottom. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Soon I found myself on an ATV ride to the medic tent where I laid under heating blankets, ate a couple bananas and three Myoplex shakes, and drank around a gallon of water before I could even walk again. Bad times.

    Looking back at the race I realize that I didn’t drink anywhere close to enough water as I should have. And my training was basically non-existent. You know what the late, great John Wooden said, “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.”

    Today is exactly six months from the day that I ran my first Tough Mudder. This Sunday I’ll try it all over again at the Tri-State Tough Mudder in my current home state of New Jersey. Big thanks to the Tough Mudder team for letting me run this one for free on a press pass. See, there are some perks to being a “published writer.”

    I’m feeling pretty good about this upcoming race. My diet has been super on point lately with my November Detox (I actually created a daily journal for it at: bit.ly/november-detox). I’ve also been training way harder than I did for the last race. In fact, I’m feeling good enough to even say:

    In a couple days I’ll be finishing the Tri-State Tough Mudder and checking another item off of the List of Adventure. Guaranteed.

    6 Days Later…

    I did it. I finished the Tri-State Tough Mudder. I barely finished, but I finished. Here’s how it all went down.

    I’ve been detoxing for the whole month of November, so to carb up the night before I ate the equivalent of a meal for three including an entire baking pan worth of sweet potato and pineapple casserole. Half of an entire pineapple and three sweet potatoes all cut into slices and baked in the oven for an hour with butter and cinnamon on top. All the dessert you need without any refined sugar. So delicious. I then got to bed super early and slept a solid ten hours with sweet dreams of running, jumping, crawling, and mudding (Really, I dreamt about the race the whole damn night).

    The morning started off like any other morning in November: 4 eggs, a whole pink grapefruit, and some yoga. I stopped by a convenience store to grab a bottle of water and three protein bars and hit the road for Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.

    When I got to the race site I was pleased to see flat land for as far as the eye could see. The Vermont Tough Mudder was nothing but running up and down mountains for ten torturous miles. NJ 1, Vermont 0.

    After signing my death waiver and checking in at the Media Check-In tent, I walked into the park to check out the scene. Pop quiz: What’s the main difference between an average New Jersey Tough Mudder and an average Vermont Tough Mudder? Around 20 pounds of muscle and no shirt. Why people in New Jersey are so jacked I don’t know, but there were plenty of guys running around that looked like Rambo. Of course I took the opportunity to join the shirtless New Jersey Tough Mudder crew, but kept my secret identity intact with the Luchador mask that has now traveled all over the world with me.

    Shortly after I checked in, I met up with my friend Lauren from the first Tough Mudder adventure and her friend Melanie. As soon as I met Melanie I knew we were going to get along. She had a red bandana on and a t-shirt that read “It’s The Freakin Weekend.” My kind of people. After the obligatory pre-race photoshoot to post Facebook pictures later, we lined up at the start. We walked up to the start just as the last heat had taken off so we got to line up in the front of our heat.

    After pumping us up with a little pre-race pep talk and reiterating the fact that we signed a death waiver, the emcee let us loose on the course. Unlike a usual race though, we started by chasing a monster truck. And since we were in the front of our heat, I started the Tri-State Tough Mudder sprinting behind a monster truck.

    I could explain the rest of the thirty-something obstacles in detail, but it’s easier to read about them all here on the Tough Mudder website: Tri-State Tough Mudder Course Map

    Some of the obstacles stuck out for me though, some because they were fun and others because they were absolutely brutal. The more memorable parts of the course were:

    • Swimming across a freezing cold river and climbing up a 15 foot rope ladder on the other side
    • Then immediately after that jumping off of a different 15 foot platform into the same freezing cold river and swimming back across
    • Running through the Mud Mile, a maze of trenches that had to be at least a quarter mile long through knee-high to waist-high mud
    • Crawling through mud under barbed wire 8 inches off the ground
    • Running through bales of straw soaked in kerosene and set on fire
    • Running around the actual race track carrying a tire
    • Successfully crossing a huge set of muddy monkey bars set over an ice cold lake
    • Crawling through muddy tunnels that were so long that you couldn’t see any light halfway through them
    • Getting shocked three times by live wires carrying a 10,000 volt shock

    Tough Mudder is also a great experience because of the tone that the race organizers set at the beginning of the race. All participants raise their right hand and recite the Tough Mudder pledge before they run the course. The pledge is: “As a Tough Mudder I pledge that… I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge. I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time. I do not whine – kids whine. I help my fellow Mudders complete the course. I overcome all fears.”

    I can’t even count the number of times I got a helping hand from a stranger pulling me through a dark muddy tunnel or pushing me up a 12 foot wall. In return I helped dozens of people over and under the obstacles. In a Tough Mudder race you aren’t running against the other participants, your running with the other participants and against the course. It’s really a great atmosphere.

    Of course the most memorable part of the day was crossing the finish line. The feeling of stepping across that line was such a great sense of accomplishment. For those 10-15 minutes after the race I felt nothing but pure happiness. My body was on the verge of failure again, but I just felt great.

    Completing the course has also set the baseline of what I know I can accomplish at a higher level. Several years ago I ran my first 5k. A year ago I ran my first half marathon. This weekend I ran a half marathon through hell. The next race will be a little harder,  a little longer, or a little tougher, but I know I’ll be able to do it. Success breeds success and right now I’m on a roll…

    —

    We can’t wait to see what you do next Mike. Hopefully you’ll be able to share it with us (ahem, skeleton tryouts?). We couldn’t agree more – you’re on a roll!

    This post originally appeared on Michael’s own blog (first post, second post). Massive thanks to Mike for sharing this with the wider Nerve Rush audience. If you’re interested in guest posting on Nerve Rush with your own adventures or expertise, let us know – we’re always on the lookout for adventurists doing incredible things. Get in touch.