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gettig cadio up
- Thread starter mark31277
- Start date
If I have totally missed the point of this please correct me. I am not sure if you are referring to a specific event requiring ability to hike through muddy ground or a normal everyday long hike. This is based on the latter, copied and modified from something I posted for someone else a while ago who was preparing for a holiday.
I don't know where you live and how easy it is to get to places to go hiking but this is definately the best preparation you can do for a hike. Get a small pack load and get walking. Keep you pace constant but routes varied so the intensity will vary based on terrain and gradiant. Over time build up the pack size and distance, if pace is a target, increase this gradually, by definition it will need to be something you can maintain.
It would obviously be more pleasant if this was done in picturesque surroundings where you can take occasional breaks to eat and drink, but if that isn't practical a varied route around streets and houses will do the same for you physically. I would say if going for the latter don't take binoculars, as bird watching is often frowned upon in built up areas.
Running and other training will help your fitness, but there is nothing beats hiking to prepare you for hiking. I have gone out with people who were very fit, a few of them marathon runners, and within 5 or 6 hours they were suffering from the packs on their shoulders and backs, tired legs, sore feet etc.
Practicing will also help you find out the best kit to use. There are some very expensive packs and boots out there, and I am fussy on the packs, but boots are always military surplus as the pricy versions give too much ankle support for me. Basically find what works for you and get it, unfortunately the price will have to be lowest priority, so if the boots you need are expensive, start saving.
First and foremost as always, enjoy it. Other cardio training can be virtually anything so if you really hate something ditch it and move to something else.
If this is for a specific event find out what the route and distance will be like and try to match it as closely as possible. If it's hilly with boggy patches try walking in areas that are likewise. If the most important thing is getting to the end fast and it's 10 miles with more techically demanding stuff than you have nearby try adding a few miles to make up for the easier routes.
Years ago when I used to run marathons for fun I would often take part in 18 milers, good way of avoiding hpoglycemia. One in particular was so gruelling I have finished at least one easy marathon faster than my worst time on that course despite being 8 miles less. So if in doubt on the difficulty add more distance and pace. It is better to have something left for a fast finish than not enough to finish it.
If the ground is likely to be wet and slippery you will definately want to work on core and co-ordination. There are wieros out there who seem to be able to balance happily regardless of footing on slimy or icy ground, I happen to be one of them. It isn't a miracle or big secret, hold balance at the core not the shoulders, knees stay soft and make small shifts. I learned a lot of this from ballet, and still maintain nothing is better for absolute control and co-ordination.
I don't know where you live and how easy it is to get to places to go hiking but this is definately the best preparation you can do for a hike. Get a small pack load and get walking. Keep you pace constant but routes varied so the intensity will vary based on terrain and gradiant. Over time build up the pack size and distance, if pace is a target, increase this gradually, by definition it will need to be something you can maintain.
It would obviously be more pleasant if this was done in picturesque surroundings where you can take occasional breaks to eat and drink, but if that isn't practical a varied route around streets and houses will do the same for you physically. I would say if going for the latter don't take binoculars, as bird watching is often frowned upon in built up areas.
Running and other training will help your fitness, but there is nothing beats hiking to prepare you for hiking. I have gone out with people who were very fit, a few of them marathon runners, and within 5 or 6 hours they were suffering from the packs on their shoulders and backs, tired legs, sore feet etc.
Practicing will also help you find out the best kit to use. There are some very expensive packs and boots out there, and I am fussy on the packs, but boots are always military surplus as the pricy versions give too much ankle support for me. Basically find what works for you and get it, unfortunately the price will have to be lowest priority, so if the boots you need are expensive, start saving.
First and foremost as always, enjoy it. Other cardio training can be virtually anything so if you really hate something ditch it and move to something else.
If this is for a specific event find out what the route and distance will be like and try to match it as closely as possible. If it's hilly with boggy patches try walking in areas that are likewise. If the most important thing is getting to the end fast and it's 10 miles with more techically demanding stuff than you have nearby try adding a few miles to make up for the easier routes.
Years ago when I used to run marathons for fun I would often take part in 18 milers, good way of avoiding hpoglycemia. One in particular was so gruelling I have finished at least one easy marathon faster than my worst time on that course despite being 8 miles less. So if in doubt on the difficulty add more distance and pace. It is better to have something left for a fast finish than not enough to finish it.
If the ground is likely to be wet and slippery you will definately want to work on core and co-ordination. There are wieros out there who seem to be able to balance happily regardless of footing on slimy or icy ground, I happen to be one of them. It isn't a miracle or big secret, hold balance at the core not the shoulders, knees stay soft and make small shifts. I learned a lot of this from ballet, and still maintain nothing is better for absolute control and co-ordination.
Tony,
Tough Mudder is one of those "Army based" 10-12 mile obstacle courses. You know, barb wire crawl, wall climb, hiking, running, rope swing, hang bars, stuff like that. I've looked into doing it. It's a pretty hardcore course. Definitely the hardest one I've seen here in the states. I would imagine that if I were to train for one of these, I would go to the gym, do cleans, pull-ups, and farmer walks on a inclined treadmill for an hour and a half every day.
Tough Mudder is one of those "Army based" 10-12 mile obstacle courses. You know, barb wire crawl, wall climb, hiking, running, rope swing, hang bars, stuff like that. I've looked into doing it. It's a pretty hardcore course. Definitely the hardest one I've seen here in the states. I would imagine that if I were to train for one of these, I would go to the gym, do cleans, pull-ups, and farmer walks on a inclined treadmill for an hour and a half every day.
I've heard of tough mudder, not looked into it. There is a trend of things like this from military style endurance and stamina tests which is what you describe to toughguy challenge which I can only describe as stupidity. Harsh words from someone who openly declares that I have damaged myself doing dangerous sports but running through nettles and/or fire etc. doesn't strike me as sporting excellence just stupidly pointless. I do of course welcome correction from those who've done it. I have been stung numerous times while running and never stopped, I don't consider that means I'm tough just too beligerent to damage my time because of a few nettles.
Tough Mudder became big where I am, and the thing I find funny is how people forget that it's essentially a half-marathon as well as an obstacle course. It's definitely the 20 kilometers that kills people, not the fire or electricity.
The best way to train for an event is to do activities that are the same or similar to said event. Basically, running, long hikes, etc. There are also bootcamps in my city specifically geared for Tough Mudder training that use interval training with relatively short rest periods to prepare for the demands of the event, so you may want to look into that type of activity.
Whatever you do, keep in mind that you don't want to neglect your strength training; specifcally, your bodyweight strength. Sure, many people are ready for the obstacles but not the distance, but I also know plenty of people who are only prepared to run the route but can't haul their weight up a rope for the life of them.
The best way to train for an event is to do activities that are the same or similar to said event. Basically, running, long hikes, etc. There are also bootcamps in my city specifically geared for Tough Mudder training that use interval training with relatively short rest periods to prepare for the demands of the event, so you may want to look into that type of activity.
Whatever you do, keep in mind that you don't want to neglect your strength training; specifcally, your bodyweight strength. Sure, many people are ready for the obstacles but not the distance, but I also know plenty of people who are only prepared to run the route but can't haul their weight up a rope for the life of them.
Keep you speed continuous but tracks different so the strength will differ depending on landscape and gradient. Over time develop up the package dimension and range, if speed is a focus on, improve this progressively, by meaning it will need to be something you can sustain.
I got roped into doing the tough mudder this past year...it was the Boston Tough mudder, which was in New Hampshire so maybet he same one the OP is referring to?
My 42 yr old boss joined a team and knows I'm somewhat of a fitness guy so he asked me if I wanted to join his team. I didn't, upon researching the event it struck me as an idiotic hazing type thing for 20 somethings with a T shirt and beer for a large sum of $. But, I knew doing it with the boss couldn't be terrible - manly bonding and all. I also knew it wouldn't be easy, especially for the boss. I am 39, he's 42. I am in better shape than him but he used to run a good deal but was out of shape but also trained a bit for it. Still, he had a really tough time - got heat stroke...but finished.
Like I said, wasn't easy for me but nothing too crazy either. It's not a race so you can take your time. It's not like running a half marathon with obstacles, not at all. Much of the time you are either trotting or walking to the next obstacle. I would say it's comparable in difficulty to a real competative half marathon. In some ways even easier because you get a bunch of breaks.
The New Hampshire one this year had a ton of uphill, which made it tough. For training, I would say running, body weight exercises, strength training will do ya.
Overall, my assessment is that it's idiotic for anyone over 29 unless you want to feel like you're part of a fraternity again. There's a lot more screaming idiocy and high fiving than a real race (it's not a race) and it's much less sophisticated. I knew all that going in.
My 42 yr old boss joined a team and knows I'm somewhat of a fitness guy so he asked me if I wanted to join his team. I didn't, upon researching the event it struck me as an idiotic hazing type thing for 20 somethings with a T shirt and beer for a large sum of $. But, I knew doing it with the boss couldn't be terrible - manly bonding and all. I also knew it wouldn't be easy, especially for the boss. I am 39, he's 42. I am in better shape than him but he used to run a good deal but was out of shape but also trained a bit for it. Still, he had a really tough time - got heat stroke...but finished.
Like I said, wasn't easy for me but nothing too crazy either. It's not a race so you can take your time. It's not like running a half marathon with obstacles, not at all. Much of the time you are either trotting or walking to the next obstacle. I would say it's comparable in difficulty to a real competative half marathon. In some ways even easier because you get a bunch of breaks.
The New Hampshire one this year had a ton of uphill, which made it tough. For training, I would say running, body weight exercises, strength training will do ya.
Overall, my assessment is that it's idiotic for anyone over 29 unless you want to feel like you're part of a fraternity again. There's a lot more screaming idiocy and high fiving than a real race (it's not a race) and it's much less sophisticated. I knew all that going in.
Will be sure to avoid these then. I find the escreaming and idiocy anoying and idiotic, strangely. Part I don't get with stuff like that where people go in for screaming is there is no danger so what's the deal. Mindless adrenaline junkies, a group I belonged to, don't tend to scream when life is literally on the line because they are too busy not dying, why do those not really at risk.
I got a reminder of why I have become very boring in my old age, in fact have been a while now, while on holiday. Did a high assault course tethered in, and the fact that I was tethered and some of the obstacles meant using the tether for balance meant I wasn't remotely scared so got no adrenaline thrill and the fact we had to use the line on occasion and it got in the way some of the rest took a lot of the skill out of it too. Net result I found it quite dull, while others got a real buzz.
Welcome back Da Troof you have been missed.
I got a reminder of why I have become very boring in my old age, in fact have been a while now, while on holiday. Did a high assault course tethered in, and the fact that I was tethered and some of the obstacles meant using the tether for balance meant I wasn't remotely scared so got no adrenaline thrill and the fact we had to use the line on occasion and it got in the way some of the rest took a lot of the skill out of it too. Net result I found it quite dull, while others got a real buzz.
Welcome back Da Troof you have been missed.
I think it's great you did the tough mudder. I have heard they are challenging yet very fun. I got asked to do one last year, but I could not get pass the mud(kinda a clean freak). As for training, interval training will really help. Switch up speeds and inclines, push yourself it will be rewarding in the end.