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Tags: Tough Mudder, Training Program, Training schedule, Boulder, warrior dash, altitude training, Circuit training, lactate, 2012, 2013, Join, Register, price increase
Last Sunday, 4 guys of Define Defense Boulder participated in Tough Mudder Colorado 2012 in Beaver Creek. The course was 12 miles long, had over 4,250 feet of altitude change and had approx. 25 obstacles throughout. The team did great, we stuck together and made it all the way through! After all, it's not a race but a challenge. We had our difficulties with injuries that occurred prior to the race but we helped each other and even despite the injuries, completed the Tough Mudder. That shows determination!
I had a great time since I've been looking forward to it for a long time and was fortunate enough not to have any injuries or limitations. It's great to find new challenges and this particular one would challenge my endurance, balance, coordination, problem solving skills and especially: mental toughness.
Some of the obstacles were especially mentally challenging, such as the ice bath (water with 1.5 feet of ice and you had to dive under a wooden board before exiting), and the electroshocks. There were not one, two but three obstacles with live wires this year! The first we had to crawl in water, second on an ice sheet and the third is the well known one running through live wires. Of course, not all wires are charged but that makes it even more nerve wrecking. I was shocked a total of 7 times. During the last obstacle, right before the finish line, I got shocked twice on the head and it dazed me pretty well. However, I was fortunate enough not to drop (we have seen other people go unconscious for a few seconds). Even though the shocks aren't fun, it's part of the game and it added to the experience. Obviously, if you have medical issues you shouldn't go through the electroshocks.
I did all the obstacles of the course and they were all great for different reasons. A few objections I have with the challenge though are:
- Some of the obstacles that require physical skills, such as climbing, ducking etc. were too short. They should have been longer in length.
- The course was reasonably tough and despite the fact that Tough Mudder needs to accommodate the general population of may different levels, I thought it would be harder. The hardest part of the course was absolutely the altitude changes. You had to run uphill, downhill, hike etc. which was GREAT! That makes it a lot harder but I would like to see harder physically challenging obstacles. Perhaps they should do the course as it is and do some extra things for an 'Elite Tough Mudder'?
P.S. A big thank you to the team and the people who came out to support!
By Sander Vanacker, owner, head instructor and personal trainer of Define Defense Martial Arts & Personal Training.
Define Defense in Boulder, CO
- Modern Martial Arts
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA
- Self Defense Classes & Workshops
- Personal Training
- Cross Training / TRX Classes
1805 11th Street Suite B
Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 340 6254
Info@DefineDefense.com
Tags: Tough Mudder, Training Program, Training schedule, Boulder, warrior dash, altitude training, Circuit training, lactate, mud run, Obstacle course, Obstacle race, special forces, Navy Seal, Training, Accomplishment, Beaver Creek, Vail, Boulder, Colorado, 2012, 2013, Registration, Register, pictures, pics, Dedication, Determination
Name: Drew Ash
Age: 27
Profession: Brazilian Jiujitsu instructor
Where do you live: Boulder, CO
Have you participated in Tough Mudder before: No, though I had a dream about it once
Have you participated in any other mud competitions, like Warrior Dash or MuckRuckus: No
What got you interested in participating: Seeing the course
Describe your training regimen for the event: Daily Brazilian jiujitsu with Strength and conditioning classes 4-5 times a week
When did you start training: Year round
Tough Mudder can be an intimidating event. Any fears or concerns: Yes, that my heart will explode when I go through "shock therapy". As well as ankle injuries from the mud.
Are you in it for the die-hard competition or more for the fun? Fun
How have your friends and family reacted to you doing Tough Mudder: Most of them pat me on the back in a very patronizing way.
Besides Tough Mudder, what’s the most extreme thing you’ve ever done: Mixed martial artsTags: Tough Mudder, Training Program, Training schedule, Boulder, warrior dash, altitude training, Circuit training, lactate
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Sander Vanacker
Age:
26
Profession
: Martial Arts Instructor / Personal Trainer
Where do you live:
Boulder
Have you participated in Tough Mudder before:
No, this will be the first time.
Have you participated in any other mud competitions, like Warrior Dash or MuckRuckus:
No, first time ever doing an obstacle course race.
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What got you interested in participating:
Our BJJ instructor Drew brought it to my attention and it looked like a lot of fun. It’s good to have goals to work for and it’ll be a lot of fun doing with the team.
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Describe your training regimen for the event:
Martial Arts & Cross Training, TRX training, running, biking, swimming (I have the 10k Bolder Boulder and a triathlon during the few weeks before Tough Mudder).
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When did you start training:
I never stop training but I started to do more endurance runs and bike rides in April. Throughout the year, I always train martial arts and TRX / cross training. On average, I train 15 hours/week altogether.
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Tough Mudder can be an intimidating event. Any fears or concerns:
No concerns for finishing but I hope that I won’t get injured (ankle twists or so)
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Are you in it for the die-hard competition or more for the fun?
This year for fun and the experience doing this race with a small team. Next year I may have a more competitive goal.
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How have your friends and family reacted to you doing Tough Mudder:
They’re pretty used to me having different goals in sports.
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Besides Tough Mudder, what’s the most extreme thing you’ve ever done:
Not much adventurous wise, more physically challenging such as martial arts training, bike races and more.
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Tags: Tough Mudder, Training Program, Training schedule, Boulder, warrior dash, altitude training, Circuit training, lactate
