Feeding Your Addiction To Tough Mudder

Are you addicted to Tough Mudder? If you have no idea what Tough Mudder is but think you're tough and don't mind the taste of mud in the morning, you'll love Tough Mudder. Those who enjoy challenging themselves beyond lapping aimless swimmers in the community pool will love Tough Mudder. People who get bored running at a snails pace in a marathon or holiday 5k and want to splash in some rock n' roll will love Tough Mudder! As the active population grows older and away from their glory days of high school football or collegiate athletic careers, they itch for a venue to continue their glory. Tough Mudder is the glorious venue the weekend warriors turn to for a thrill, some mud and maybe a complimentary celebratory beer (if you're 21 years of age).

Why Are Competitors Addicted?

Weekend warriors are addicted to these types of events for the unique set of challenges that manage to push the human body in ways your typical marathon or Tough Man competition cannot. Races run a length of 10-14 miles (depending on the number of obstacles and terrain). At no point during a Tough Mudder are you running on even ground toward more even ground that leads to more even ground. You're climbing hills, sliding down the other side, jumping in trenches of water waist high in the middle of the woods adding pounds of water weight to your attire with extremely difficult tasks to complete between. It is not uncommon hearing runners or weightlifters tell tales of becoming stale in their exercise regimens and begin skipping workouts, putting off runs and eventually giving up on the weekend events all together. Once you begin preparing for a Tough Mudder and complete one to watch them pack up and head to the next town will leave you withdrawing and thirsty for more muddy water.

How To Supplement Until The Next Tough Mudder

Its simple: sign up for similar races. Diversifying your competition portfolio only makes you that much more awesome, right? There are several obstacle-based events popping up all across the world, filling calendars like mud between your teeth. In fact, some Tough Mudder competitors may have found their way via hearsay and conversing with competitors of other events.

READ Don't Get Stuck In The Mud Training For Tough Mudder

Run For Your Lives Zombie Race

Here you go "The Walking Dead" fans, its your turn to tackle the apocalypse! Or run from it, I suppose. This obstacle-based race is just like Tough Mudder - along with some hungry zombies. This event may even be a good warm-up for potential Tough Mudder runners since it is typically the length of a 3k or 5k. Volunteers signup to portray zombies and chase the paying participants. As you navigate your way through the race you'll find some areas swamped with zombies and others less dense. Obstacles are nearly the same as Tough Mudder with mud pits and pools of brown water. Runners are equipped with flags that the zombies attempt to steal, suggesting they were "bitten."

I Want More Tough Mudder

This is Sparta! No, this is just another weekend warrior event (props to the marketing crew for embracing the popularity of the 2006 hit-film 300). This event again is similar to Tough Mudder and offers many different lengths from three miles to more than twelve. Runners drench themselves in mud and water as they do in Tough Mudder but often honor the Greek Gods like Hercules in the Hercules Hoist. In this event you must pull your rope tied to a weighted ornament and carefully place it back on the ground. Here's where we find another difference from Tough Mudder: if you fail during a task, you are disciplined. Burpees are served up to those not tough enough to conquer the events in the same manner the Spartans conquered their enemies. As you cruise through the internet for videos you'll see competitors jumping over fire, climbing rope, scaling walls and challenging themselves all while having a great time.

Warrior Dash

Warriors, come out and play! Now, I doubt this race is based off the 1979 cult classic film "The Warriors," but the catchphrase could work to draw in competitors. Another tough off road race, this 5k challenges participants the same way as Tough Mudder. Some obstacles may differ slightly but most are almost the same as the previous mentioned races. One event that stays unique to Warrior Dash is "Goliath." During this event you will climb as high as a small building before sliding back down the other end. Like many of the events in these races, the mental factor can be the difference in completing an obstacle and opting out.

Okay But I Want More Tough Mudder

You may find that these races suffice and eat up your time (not flesh) between Tough Mudders effectively. If you simply cannot feed your addiction to Tough Mudder by supplementing with other races, be sure to monitor the Tough Mudder website for races within a traveling distance.

READ Don't Get Stuck In The Mud Training For Tough Mudder

Those living in Ohio can take a short drive down to Kentucky to partake in another race. It is also important to remember that each race features different terrain and could contain different obstacles. What makes these races so special is their uniqueness, as stated previously. People want to explain to their colleagues and friends how they scaled a slippery wall after they dove fifteen feet into ice-cold water. You are not going to jump through fire at the Turkey Day 5k or army crawl through electric wired ceiling trenches during the annual marathon.