It's the beginning of a new year and everyone is making the same resolution: lose weight and be healthier. A lot of people won't accomplish this goal, but the problem lies more in the resolution itself and not a lack of determination. In the business world there is an acronym called SMART that explains how goals should be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Well folks, "losing weight" and "being healthier" isn't a very smart goal under that criteria. Here's another idea for you: make a resolution to sign up for, train for and participate in a Mud Run this year.
Mud Runs, also known as obstacle course races, are all slightly different beasts, but the simple idea is that you go through a course full of obstacles such as tire fields, mud pools, short walls, and maybe even a slip-n-slide. Some of the original races try very hard to be hardcore military style races with barbed wire and cargo nets, but the newer ones have adopted themes that are more warm and fuzzy (i.e.: the Foam Fest or Run Drenched). Most of these events are about 5k, though there a few more advanced ones.
But before you assume that you can't do it, I have four things I want you to hear: 1) The race isn't tomorrow. 2) It's easy to go around obstacles you don't want to do (and you won't be alone). 3) A lot of people walk the entire course. 4) These races are not just for super-athletic people.
What's the worst that can happen anyway? You try something new, get to see all the crazies in costumes sloshing through mud pits. But maybe you decide not to run and you feel uncomfortable trying the obstacles. Not a big deal- and you'll probably have some fun anyway. But the best outcome is pretty awesome and life-changing. In this scenario you train diligently for your goals and completely wow yourself (and everyone else) at the event. And you realize that you totally fulfilled your resolution that evaded you for so long.
Why is mud run training such an effective weight loss tool? First of all mud runs are a really fun and desirable goal to aim for. With names like "Warrior Dash" and "The Savage Race" it's hard not to feel tough, want to brag about it to your friends, and stay committed to your training goals. Secondly, obstacle courses require holistic fitness. Too often in the weight loss industry focuses way too much on long, boring, low-intensity cardio sessions: hours on the bike or walking on the treadmill. The weight loss is slow and it takes so much discipline to stick to it.
In addition to cardio activity, when you are training for an obstacle race you also have to work on developing your strength through anaerobic activity. The combination of aerobic and anaerobic activity is a powerful tool against fat, because not only do you burn calories through your workouts, you rev up your metabolism so that you burn calories while you rest too (muscle tissue burns calories even when you are at rest.)
Obstacle course training really does attack fat from more than one angle, and the alternating focus on cardio and weight training give you a workout routine you can stick to. Make a smart resolution that you will want to keep and that will actually get you the results that you want this year.
Mud Runs, also known as obstacle course races, are all slightly different beasts, but the simple idea is that you go through a course full of obstacles such as tire fields, mud pools, short walls, and maybe even a slip-n-slide. Some of the original races try very hard to be hardcore military style races with barbed wire and cargo nets, but the newer ones have adopted themes that are more warm and fuzzy (i.e.: the Foam Fest or Run Drenched). Most of these events are about 5k, though there a few more advanced ones.
But before you assume that you can't do it, I have four things I want you to hear: 1) The race isn't tomorrow. 2) It's easy to go around obstacles you don't want to do (and you won't be alone). 3) A lot of people walk the entire course. 4) These races are not just for super-athletic people.
What's the worst that can happen anyway? You try something new, get to see all the crazies in costumes sloshing through mud pits. But maybe you decide not to run and you feel uncomfortable trying the obstacles. Not a big deal- and you'll probably have some fun anyway. But the best outcome is pretty awesome and life-changing. In this scenario you train diligently for your goals and completely wow yourself (and everyone else) at the event. And you realize that you totally fulfilled your resolution that evaded you for so long.
Why is mud run training such an effective weight loss tool? First of all mud runs are a really fun and desirable goal to aim for. With names like "Warrior Dash" and "The Savage Race" it's hard not to feel tough, want to brag about it to your friends, and stay committed to your training goals. Secondly, obstacle courses require holistic fitness. Too often in the weight loss industry focuses way too much on long, boring, low-intensity cardio sessions: hours on the bike or walking on the treadmill. The weight loss is slow and it takes so much discipline to stick to it.
In addition to cardio activity, when you are training for an obstacle race you also have to work on developing your strength through anaerobic activity. The combination of aerobic and anaerobic activity is a powerful tool against fat, because not only do you burn calories through your workouts, you rev up your metabolism so that you burn calories while you rest too (muscle tissue burns calories even when you are at rest.)
Obstacle course training really does attack fat from more than one angle, and the alternating focus on cardio and weight training give you a workout routine you can stick to. Make a smart resolution that you will want to keep and that will actually get you the results that you want this year.
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To view a calendar of mud runs near you, look at Obstacle Race Calendar 2013 . You can also find specific training routines to help you get in shape in Obstacle Course Ebook
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