Preparing to Run an Obstacle Course Race
Running is one of the few sports than can be done by anyone anywhere. Running also has no age limits which makes it the perfect family sport. Many people refuse to see the benefits of running and think it's a mundane sport. For those that run regularly and are looking for a little extra challenge running an obstacle course race will provide just that. Even if running is something regularly done, don't take this challenge on lightly. Serious injuries can happen if training has not been completed and no one wants to have to visit with an orthopedic surgeon Idaho Falls on the day of the race.
Choosing the right obstacle race will help identify the type of training that will need to be completed. Consider your overall health and fitness when making the decision. Also, it's always more enjoyable to run these types of races with a partner or team. Assessing your partner's or teams fitness will also impact the type of training you will all need to complete. If you are an avid runner and have completed many long distance races, but your partner is at a beginners level make a choice that will work for both of you.
Obstacle course races can be anywhere from a 5K to over thirteen miles long with a varying degree of difficulty. When choosing the race the distance is important to consider but there are many other factors to look at also. The location of the race will give you insights into the difficulty of the race. If it is going to be held at the local fairgrounds expect a level course that will be sure to have lots of mud to contend with. This type of race is usually a good place to start doing obstacle course races. Even though the distance is usually shorter, experienced runners will also enjoy this fun muddy racing option. If the race is held back in the mountains, expect to have many ups and downs to run. These races are usually tougher and should be trained for months in advance.
Running is not the only thing that should be practiced to gear up for an obstacle course race. While endurance is important in finishing any type of race, strength will also be tested in these races. Pull-ups, money bars, and mud crawls are all regular obstacles completed in many of these races. This means you'll need to spend some extra time working on your upper body and core strength. Although your legs are probably in pretty good shape from running regularly, adding lunges to your workout will benefit you as well. Lunges will help you get up the steep hills and pull your feet out of the thick mud that is usually present.
Completing your training will help your body be in great shape to perform the obstacles you will be facing. Strength and conditioning will allow you to not only complete a race like this, but also to compete in these types of races. Although, nothing is certain in life, really taking the time to prepare yourself can be the difference between finishing the race healthy and having to have the orthopedic surgeon idaho falls come out to check you out in the middle of the race.
Choosing the right obstacle race will help identify the type of training that will need to be completed. Consider your overall health and fitness when making the decision. Also, it's always more enjoyable to run these types of races with a partner or team. Assessing your partner's or teams fitness will also impact the type of training you will all need to complete. If you are an avid runner and have completed many long distance races, but your partner is at a beginners level make a choice that will work for both of you.
Obstacle course races can be anywhere from a 5K to over thirteen miles long with a varying degree of difficulty. When choosing the race the distance is important to consider but there are many other factors to look at also. The location of the race will give you insights into the difficulty of the race. If it is going to be held at the local fairgrounds expect a level course that will be sure to have lots of mud to contend with. This type of race is usually a good place to start doing obstacle course races. Even though the distance is usually shorter, experienced runners will also enjoy this fun muddy racing option. If the race is held back in the mountains, expect to have many ups and downs to run. These races are usually tougher and should be trained for months in advance.
Running is not the only thing that should be practiced to gear up for an obstacle course race. While endurance is important in finishing any type of race, strength will also be tested in these races. Pull-ups, money bars, and mud crawls are all regular obstacles completed in many of these races. This means you'll need to spend some extra time working on your upper body and core strength. Although your legs are probably in pretty good shape from running regularly, adding lunges to your workout will benefit you as well. Lunges will help you get up the steep hills and pull your feet out of the thick mud that is usually present.
Completing your training will help your body be in great shape to perform the obstacles you will be facing. Strength and conditioning will allow you to not only complete a race like this, but also to compete in these types of races. Although, nothing is certain in life, really taking the time to prepare yourself can be the difference between finishing the race healthy and having to have the orthopedic surgeon idaho falls come out to check you out in the middle of the race.