Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

Obstacle racing and mud racing have been popular since 2012: Almost 500,000 people participated in 2017 according to a recent industry report. It is very likely that if you are a broker, many of your friends or colleagues have tried it.

While obstacle courses are still booming, it is possible that your athletics has not ventured beyond asphalt or hiking. That leaves many brokers doubting whether to sign up and give it a try, with common excuses such as: “I'm not fit enough”, “I'm afraid of getting injured”, or “I don't even know where to start!”.

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

But it doesn't have to be so daunting. With the right advice from some of the best racers and professional obstacle course coaches, you can overcome these fears and get into the mud.

One of the benefits of obstacle courses is that it gives you the opportunity to break the monotony. Rarely is one route exactly the same as another, so each race you participate in is a completely different challenge compared to the 5 local km you run each year.

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

Josh Stryde, a personal trainer with more than 30 podiums in obstacle courses, says in obstacle courses that do not exist. "Obstacle racing has the ease that you don't have to chase a time record," says Stryde. “Everyone knows what the typical time is 10km, and it can be disappointing to always be pursuing your best effort.” In fact, he thinks it is a good rest for some and can revitalize your general love of running.

Ryan Atkins, a 32-year-old Ontario obstacle racing champion who has won the toughest Mudder in the world five times, thinks that there’s enough reason to try an obstacle course. "Leaving your comfort zone can be scary, but we rarely regret it later," he says.

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

The first place to start is to choose a career that arouses your interest. Warrior Dash and Rugged Maniac are perfect for beginners and are two of the most popular races today. These races last 5 kilometers and will only have two or three obstacles that exceed the average strength of the upper body. Think of them as a good hiking trail with some things to go through, under, over or through, on the way to the finish line.

Another common mistake is to assume that the races will have a lot of hydration and nutrition on the course. Many of those who run a long race of any duration expect to make a stop to refuel every two and a half kilometers. It can also be usual in ultramarathons that the assistance stations are full of delicious treats.

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

Obstacle courses can be very different. Most assistance stations are only water, and occasionally some sponsored nutrition bar, which may or may not be to your liking. "Approximately every 40 minutes, you should consume calories and, if you are going to walk a lot, the time it takes to reach each water station may be too long," says Yancy. He recommends carrying a small backpack to carry gels.

One last thing to consider is the overall experience. Most obstacle courses have large areas for festivals, with food trucks, beer, and DJs. You will be covered in mud and you will have to participate in these post-race activities, despite how painful and exhausted you are.

Preparation For Your First Obstacle Course | Felize Blog

“I usually carry a large garbage bag or a 20-liter bin to store my dirty clothes and, of course, I carry a change of clothes, shoes, and towels,” explains Yancy.

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