[BlimeyCharlie] When the going gets tough, the Tough get Mudder

[Charlie_Quinn]

It's here! The Tough Mudder challenge is here! 5 challenges have been and gone and now I'm feeling ready. On May 2nd I'll be lining up with my team mates and fellow Mudders to take the Mudder oath.

 

 

I'm so excited about this. It's going to be so much fun!

As TM is right in the middle of this challenge I'm going to split the challenge into different stages instead of quests.

 

Stage 1 - Preparation

Train

Continue the same training plan I've had the last few challenges. Run, lift, body-weight and swim. 

 

Taper

I've never really done a taper properly before a race before so I need to research this and decide how to go about it. 

 

Stage 2 - Race

Prepare for race day:

I'm really bad at getting myself organised before an event. I usually end up leaving everything to the day and run around like a crazy person the morning of the run. This time I'm going to make sure everything is done and ready the day before.

• Gear - Decide what I'm wearing on the day. Have a few outfits ready so I have options based on the weather. Write a list of what I need to take on the day so I don't forget anything. Pack my bag the night before the event!
• Snacks - Buy / Make some healthy snacks so I can keep my energy up while waiting around for our wave to start.
• Travel Arrangements - Most of this is arranged, just need to finalise the carpool arrangements with the others, times etc

And the most important part of race day:

 

 

Stage 3 - Recover

 

The last few weeks of this challenge will be for recovery. This will probably involve lots of yoga, some light running or walking and some swimming. Anything that keeps me moving and stops the evil DOMS. 

[Everstorm]

Can't wait to hear about your Epic mudder!

[Balboaroc]

As a fellow mud runner (though not a Tough Mudder) I salute you!!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

I'm sorry to miss mudding season this year (we're in Japan), but you go enjoy yourself! I loved doing tough mudder, both times, and more than anything else, the camaraderie and the oath. Not a race but a challenge.

 

 

Rock your training, rock the mudder, and just rock in general, Blimey!

[Brovatar Korra]

Hey are you doing the Mudder in Central Texas?

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[Charlie_Quinn]

I'm sorry to miss mudding season this year (we're in Japan), but you go enjoy yourself! I loved doing tough mudder, both times, and more than anything else, the camaraderie and the oath. Not a race but a challenge.

 

 

Rock your training, rock the mudder, and just rock in general, Blimey!

 

Thanks! They don't have TM in Japan? I would have thought that's the sort of thing they would love to have over there. Maybe you should start a petition! It's my second TM, but I'd didn't completely enjoy my first, due to not being strong enough to do it properly. That's not the case this time!

 

Hey are you doing the Mudder in Central Texas?

 

No, I'm on a completely different continent! I'll be doing London West, which is badly named as it's not even in London, it's in Oxfordshire.

 

Updated my original post to include goals this challenge

[Charlie_Quinn]

I'm annoyed. I was hoping that by now I'd have my home gym all set up and ready to go and yet I'm still waiting for the weight plates to arrive. The guy promised me they would be delivered yesterday and lo and behold, I'm still waiting! I want my freakin' gym!!

 

Trying to beat a case of lazy-itis this week. No excuses really, the weather is great, I've not been busy at work, yet I just feel a bit...meh. So, time to play the "Workout for superheros" game. If I don't run tonight, no watching Arrow tomorrow. If I don't gym tomorrow, no Agents of Shield on Friday. If I do something on Saturday morning - yoga, body-weight workout - instead of just having a lie-in, I can spend the rest of the day binge watching Daredevil on Netflix. Sounds like a plan.

[Everstorm]

Boo to undelivered weights.

And I like your plan.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Boo to undelivered weights.

And I like your plan.

 

YES YES YES!! I LOVE THIS!!

[Everstorm]

YES YES YES!! I LOVE THIS!!

I made it just for you

[Charlie_Quinn]

I made it just for you

 

Really? Aw shucks...

 

 

You're awesome.

[Charlie_Quinn]

So glad I went out for a run. Not only did I do 4 miles, this happened

 

 

and this

 

 

My normal 5k time is around 34 minutes so this is fantastic! And the mile time, I can only assume it was when I was going downhill! Even so, I haven't done that pace in a run ever so I'm taking it. Feeling pretty good right now.

 

[Everstorm]

Woohoo! Congrats on setting two PRs in one run!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Got up and went to the gym this morning. Very nearly didn't, the little gremlin in my head was trying to convince me to fall back to sleep after I switched the alarm of. Screw that little bastard, I want to be watch AoS on Friday! Not a bad workout, my legs were still a bit achy from the run so did lighter squats than normal. I've been struggling with bench press for a while now, I completely suck at it and have only managed to bench 25kg so far. Today I managed 27.5kg. Still pretty sucky, but hey, improvement none the less.

 

Annoyingly I had to cancel my order for the weight plates as the company I ordered them from were messing me around too much. Though I should be able to go to a fitness superstore at the weekend and pick some up. Fingers crossed, I'll be able to use my home gym soon.

[dsavage]

Congrats on the new PR's Blimey Charlie! I'm jealous that you've already started some obstacle runs

like Chilton Warrior. I've got to wait a while before the snow melts and the mud runs start in Utah.

[EricMN]

You early-risers impress the Bejesus out of me. I tried to be a morning person, it didn't stick.

 

Also, your running PRs makes me green with envy, as does the fact that you've already mudded this year.

 

Carry on with your awesomeness.

[Everstorm]

So full of win this week, with new records in running AND lifting. And the challenge hasn't even properly started, yet. Way to raise the bar(bell)!

[Charlie_Quinn]

Congrats on the new PR's Blimey Charlie! I'm jealous that you've already started some obstacle runs

like Chilton Warrior. I've got to wait a while before the snow melts and the mud runs start in Utah.

 

Thanks. Hope you don't have to wait too long. But snow counts as an obstacle, right?

 

You early-risers impress the Bejesus out of me. I tried to be a morning person, it didn't stick.

 

Also, your running PRs makes me green with envy, as does the fact that you've already mudded this year.

 

Carry on with your awesomeness.

 

Will do. I'm not naturally a morning person, it took months of bitching and moaning before I got the hang of getting up early. I still lie in as long as I can whenever I can.

 

So full of win this week, with new records in running AND lifting. And the challenge hasn't even properly started, yet. Way to raise the bar(bell)!

 

I know, I'm a little shocked about it. I'm just hoping I haven't peaked too early and have a spectacular fall coming up!

[Balthazar]

I'm just here, waiting for the home gym porn

[maegs]

Will do. I'm not naturally a morning person, it took months of bitching and moaning before I got the hang of getting up early. I still lie in as long as I can whenever I can.

 

How did you do it? It's something I've struggled with but have been able to avoid (mostly) due to school, but now that I'm heading out into the real world I need to get my shit together.. :/

[Balboaroc]

I'm another that would love to be better about morning rising.  During the school week to get the kids up I am up at 7...the 2nd we have a day off I am all for sleeping in.  Summer break is going to be here soon and if I don't discipline myself better I'm going to be back to my 9am to 1am rotation. 

[Charlie_Quinn]

It took a lot of practice to get myself used to getting up early. I think it helped that I did it in summertime when the sun is up earlier. I set my alarm as a motivational song, easier to get yourself pumped about going to the gym at 5am when Eye of the tiger is blasting out of your phone! It also helps when you have a cat that wakes you up early for food!

Had a pretty good end to this week. I picked up my weight plates yesterday so I now have a fully functioning home gym. Did some lifting yesterday instead of a BWW so earned myself some Daredevil time. Watched 11 episodes so far, it's awesome.

Was going to end the week with a long run but my brother called me this morning and asked if we wanted to join them for a dog walk. Just got back from a nice long walk through the woods with them and their very energetic Labrador.

Going to chill for the rest of today, watch the F1 and the last 2 episodes of DD then get an early night, ready for a nice long run tomorrow evening to start the challenge.

Hope everyone has a good pre-challenge Sunday!

[Tzippi Longstockings]

Sounds like a great pre-start! I hope to get in the habit of early rising, now that it's not so cold and dark.

[dsavage]

You've just inspired me to set my alarm tone to "eye of the tiger". I'm working on morning rising too so I don't have to fight people off to use the squat racks ; )

[Balthazar]

early rising seems to be tough to start off with, but then after a few days it is hard not to do it, even at weekends when you have time for a lie in