Howdy Boys and Girls! So, I am a physicist or a neurologist. Basically two disciplines that, thankfully, do not involve much in the way of creative writing. So, I am not so sure how this blog thing is gonna pan out. At the moment, I look at it as a crutch for each of us while we train. I certainly am daunted and it is good to know that what you guys are doing. With that in mind, I will make a concerted effort to try and check here often and share some thoughts. But, who knows, this may be my last post....
I guess I have a bunch of random thoughts/questions going through my head as I develop a training regimen which will hopefully start this weekend or on Monday. Maybe one of you will have some insight.
1) After the initial bit of adrenaline and bravado has worn off, I think this thing is gonna be extremely difficult. Especially as I start to think about how unfit I am and have been for so many years. For whatever reason, the obstacles, though really difficult sounding, does not scare me as much as the 12 miles we will have to cover. I really need to work on my cardio. My ability to persevere while running in pain is about nil. This scares me.
2) As I realize that I have never properly worked out in my life outside the context of sports practice in high school, I am a bit daunted about how to even get started designing some sort of training regimen. I guess I think the broad areas that need to be worked on are:
a) Cardiovascular Endurance
b) Muscular Strength
c) Muscular Endurance
d) Flexibility
So, I suppose any workout program will concentrate on these areas. Thats good to know.
3) I have done a lot of reading online about how other people have prepared. It seems very similar to what I picture Dr. Raja does at Monkey Bar -- interval training using a variety of really difficult lifts and exercises. Something like 1 minute of an exercise, 15 sec break, then rinse and repeat for a bunch of exercises.
4) Two websites that seemed ok are:
http://toughmudder.com/training-prep/ -- they have exercises aimed at mimicking various obstacles. Some look doable, some are not. At least for me.
http://coachmattgreen.blogspot.com/2011/01/tough-mudder-training-files-week-3.html -- this guy who is some sort of trainer blogged his workout regimen for his 10 weeks of training. I think this guy is a bit out of my league but I got a sense for the types of lifts he was doing.
5) Equipment. What the heck do you wear? I need new running shoes anyway so I figure I might as well get ones that I will use in the race. Do you think trail shoes would be best? regular running shoes? Maybe those 5 toe thingys? I saw a website that even suggested boots? Thoughts?
6) I think my training will consist of biking/running for cardio with maybe a day or two dedicated to hill training. Luckily I work right by Shorewood Hills. Lots of good inclines to work on. I think maybe I will do some sort of strength/interval training 4-5 days a week, likely lasting around an hourish. I also need to do some flexibility training. I really wish I had a yoga program to go to. But I am poor. I guess I will just do old fashioned stretching or something.
7) Group workout? It would be cool if some of us could get together and go for a longish run (preferably hilly trails -- if these exist around Madison?) stopping every once in a while and doing some strength workouts. This will be good to help with team comraderie and helping each other out and encouraging. I was thinking once a week or even every other week.
I think that may be enough for now. I probably could babble on for quite some time. I am excited to train. and excited to get this thing done. Mostly I am excited I have good friends to do it with.
Dr. Palotti out
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