Tough Mudder New Partnership – “I’m Loving It”

April 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ronald

As the news of the Reebok Spartan merge becomes old news an commonplace throughout the world of Obstacle Racing, another big name in obstacle racing has announced an unlikely partnership that will leave you wanting more.

Tough Mudder, that touts itself as probably the toughest event on planet has just published a press release that links them to the largest burger chain in the world – Mc Donald’s.  Now before you start flinging your Big Macs out the window, it may not be such a bad partnership. [Read more…]

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5 by 5th Virtual Run Series – January Check In

January 2, 2013 By 2 Comments

As 2013 rolls around many of us start to think about what goals or resolutions we should set for the new year.  As I mentioned before I decided to take part in the 5 by 5th Virtual Run Series.  This was set up to help people get moving and move towards a more active lifestyle.

As I woke up on New Year’s Day I knew I wanted to log my miles on this first day of the new year. Daniel and I decided to go out to Placerita Canyon, which is a short distance from our house and an area full of great trails.  The trail we chose to do was a 4 mile out and back trail with a couple inclines along the way.

I brought my camera along because I love all the beauty that can be seen while hiking in the canyon.  This area in particular dramatically changes with the seasons and becomes very green with just a little rain.

Oak groves line the paths at Placerita Canyon.

[Read more…]

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5 by 5th Virtual Run Series

December 24, 2012 By 3 Comments

I never would have thought having a doctor telling me not to run for 12 weeks would be heartbreaking.  This is definitely something new for me.  A few years ago, if my doctor would have told me to stop exercising I would have considered that doctor’s strict orders to lay on the couch and put myself quickly into a junk food coma.  Wow, how things have changed.

Couch Potato

I now find myself perched on top of a slippery slope that I don’t want to fall down from.  I am very aware of how my body is reacting to this less active lifestyle I have been forced to accept (for the time being).  I have had to temporarily give up my long trail runs, weight lifting and boot camp.  This time of year it is especially hard.  Even more so since I have just perfected the most sinfully delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe that would rival anyone on Food Network or the Cooking Channel. [Read more…]

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Acknowledging The Pain In My….

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

About six months ago I was just getting into the groove of running. I was slowing building up my endurance and increasing my speed. I went out early one morning and decided to do a 3 mile run around my neighborhood. It was going to be relatively easy terrain mostly on the sidewalks with a gradual hill in between. I took the uphill area slow and made it up without walking.

Coming back around I was feeling really good about my pace and decided to pick up the speed. I did this as I was coming to the downhill part of the street. I starting going really fast down the hill and felt the sting of the pounding sidewalk under my feet. After about 40 feet I started to feel a shooting pain in my back. [Read more…]

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VNA Monster Mash Obstacle Race Review

October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Way before the sun came up Saturday morning we were packing up the car again and prepping for our next race.  This time we were heading 2 hours east to Victorville, CA for the 1st annual Monster Mash Obstacle Race.  This was to be a 5K Halloween themed obstacle race to benefit the VNA of California. [Read more…]

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Run For Your Lives! Obstacle Race Review

October 25, 2012 By 9 Comments

Here’s the scoop on Run for Your Lives: Race waves run every 30 minutes with about 500 runners per wave. Runners wear a flag football belt and 3 flags. Throughout the course you must avoid zombies who are after your life (flags). The goal is to make it to the end of the course with at least one flag to be considered a ‘survivor’. If you lose all your flags, you cross the finish line ‘dead’.

 

Run For Your Lives Southern California 10/20/12

Early Saturday morning, before the sun rose, we packed the car and began our trek to Vail Lake for the Run For Your Lives obstacle race. During the two hour drive we worked on our strategy to outrun zombies and devised a plan to get some great photos and video of the race. [Read more…]

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Running Ain’t The Half of It

October 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

So when you think of obstacle racing usually the first thing that comes to mind is running through mud.  Yes you will be running.  And yes, there is usually mud.  But there are lots more to these events than just running.  I think people new to these events (if they are going to train) focus a lot on the running and nothing else.  But this is just a small piece of the pie.

Strength training is the other part of the equation that will help ensure a successful race.  All of the obstacles that you will encounter may use muscles you never knew you had.  So because of that it’s a great idea to include core and strength training into your training routine.

I’m not talking about bulking up body builder style.  But by using your own body weight alone can help you attain lean muscle mass that will get you over the highest walls or army crawl through mud with the best of them. [Read more…]

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Training Tips For Beginners – Tip #2

October 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

So you are probably thinking, “Okay, I know how to run now.  How do I take it to the next level?”

Once you feel comfortable in your running shoes and you feel confident in your running skills, it’s time to bump it to the next level.  Whether you’ve been a stroller strider, treadmill champ or sidewalk soldier, take to the dirt!

Your journey begins just off the paved road.

If you are training for a obstacle race or mud run, guess what?  Your event will be in the dirt!  I’m sorry if I scared you.  It’s not so bad.  I think you will actually enjoy it once you get out there and get a little dirty. [Read more…]

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Training Tips For Beginners – Tip #1

October 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We will be doing a series for beginners that should help you start a training routine to get you ready for your first race.  If you are a seasoned mud running obstacle racer, maybe you can add a comment that could offer some more tips to other readers.  Either way, we hope you enjoy this series and find it useful.

Quick Disclaimer: Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate exercise prescription. If you experience any pain or difficulty with any exercise, stop and consult your healthcare provider.

Any time you start something new it’s easy to want to jump in and give it your all.  That may not be the best idea if you are just starting to exercise or beginning to run for the first time.  If you start off too fast your body may rebel, and leave you a sore stiff mess.  It may just turn you off from exercising ever again.  Okay, maybe not forever.  But there are some things we can suggest that can help you ease into a routine that will be enjoyable and great for you at the same time.

 

 

You should make your way slowly into a running routine.  Going slow and steady will get you to running three miles (or 5K) on a regular basis in just two-three months.  Beginners should start with combining walking and running. Begin by alternating four minutes of waking with two minutes of running for a total of 20-30 minutes. [Read more…]

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Excuse Me, I Burpee’d

October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

30 burpees for every obstacle I can’t finish?  Yikes!  I get winded after about 10!  I suppose I better bump up my training and add in some burpees!  The Spartan Sprint is just two months away, and they require you to do 30 burpees as a penalty for every obstacle you cannot complete.

Most people would probably ask, “What the heck is a burpee”?  If you are asking that question, you probably last thought about them in middle school gym class just before blocking them out of your memory until now.

This is how Wikipedia defines a burpee:

  1. Begin in a standing position.
  2. Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground.
  3. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the front plank position.
  4. Return to the squat position in one quick motion.
  5. Jump straight into the air as high as possible.

 

4 Steps to a successful burpee

I really like the idea of gradually building my burpee endurance, so I’ve decided to create my own burpee challenge. Each day I hope to add at least one additional burpee.  I will check in to keep me accountable.  I definitely don’t want to not be able to get my 30 burpees in if I can’t stick that spear at the Spartan Sprint! [Read more…]

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