More than 20 percent of the people that enter a Tough Mudder won’t cross the finish line. To be successful, you’ll need the endurance of a distance runner, the functional strength of a CrossFit junkie, and a solid mental game. Our 12-week training plan, created by Jim Nix, coach to dozens of Tough Mudder competitors, and owner of Maryland-based Full Circle Fitness Training, will prepare you mentally and physically for the challenge.
For a more detailed, interactive version of this 12-week training plan—complete with video tutorials, strength workouts, and professional training advice—check out the Outside Fitness Center.
Comments
I'm training for TM in AZ... I lift weights 4 days a week and using a half marathon prep for training. TM AZ is 12.5 miles, so 8 miles isn't enough of a training peak.
Flag ThisI thought the same thing when I was training for Indiana, but they are right. There are enough parts of the course where it is impossible to run (mud mile, swamp bog, etc.) where you can regain your stamina. Depending on when you start, there may also be some waits at some of the obstacles. I peaked at 9.5 miles in my training. Physically I was fine...the mental part will get you!
Flag ThisI thought the same thing when I was training for Indiana, but they are right. There are enough parts of the course where it is impossible to run (mud mile, swamp bog, etc.) where you can regain your stamina. Depending on when you start, there may also be some waits at some of the obstacles. I peaked at 9.5 miles in my training. Physically I was fine...the mental part will get you!
Flag ThisI thought the same thing when I was training for Indiana, but they are right. There are enough parts of the course where it is impossible to run (mud mile, swamp bog, etc.) where you can regain your stamina. Depending on when you start, there may also be some waits at some of the obstacles. I peaked at 9.5 miles in my training. Physically I was fine...the mental part will get you!
Flag ThisI ran the Tough Mudder in SoCal (May 29,2011 - Day 2) between 7 and 4 degrees and the top of Snow Valley and FINISHED!!!!!! This training program will work for you regardless of the mileage since it is in intervals....run, obstacle, run some more, another obstacle...etc. Just make sure that if your course has hills you do some hill work. Good Luck and the Orange Head band & BEER are worth it at the end.
Flag ThisMe, my wife Di, running mates and some surfing buddies are doing Tough Mudder in UK next November !!! If anyone has been to England in November, you will know the entire country is a Chernobyl Jacuzzi that time of year.... we will need to dig deep !!!
Flag ThisI ran the Tampa, Fl Tough Mudder in December. I have been a compeition rock climber for years, but never an endurance athlete. I continued to climb and lift weights, but added running for two months prior to TM. My typical distances were 4 miles and 6 miles, with one 8-mile run thrown in to see how it felt. I thought the TM was a breeze, with no particularly difficult obstacles. I had never even run a 5K, but still finished with a time that qualified me for the WTM competition.
Flag ThisI ran the Tampa, Fl Tough Mudder in December. I have been a compeition rock climber for years, but never an endurance athlete. I continued to climb and lift weights, but added running for two months prior to TM. My typical distances were 4 miles and 6 miles, with one 8-mile run thrown in to see how it felt. I thought the TM was a breeze, with no particularly difficult obstacles. I had never even run a 5K, but still finished with a time that qualified me for the WTM competition.
Flag ThisI came to TM as a climber, too. Thought the running was going to kill me, but I never ran more than 6 miles leading up to the event and did just fine. 27 obstacles over 10 - 12 miles leave precious little open space. Virginia's vertical ascent of a thousand feet in just under a mile was a peach. Nobody was running up that! I'll be doing more hills this year, even though DC looks like it will be pretty flat. I think this looks like a pretty good training template.
Flag ThisIf you're training for a long distance run, it is actually best not to match the race mileage during your training. For example, when I train for half marathons, rarely do I ever hit 13 miles in my training; i will usually max out my training mileage at 10. For marathons, it's 20. Your body actually doesn't realize the actual mileage when you're training and the added adrenaline your body creates during competition makes up for the extra miles you didn't "train" for
Flag ThisI am struggling with finding videos on how to do many of the suggested exercises. The Swingset Leg curls to bridge and related videos using swing sets. Could you please suggest where I can locate examples? Devin
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