So, How'd Your Tough Mudder Training Go While you were at Burning Man?... Slacker!

Tough Mudder image, fire walk — (photo: toughmudder.com)

Tough Mudder is just ONE DAY AWAY! The event is advertised as a cross between Ironman and Burning Man but I think you’re supposed to go into it ready for an Ironman and come out of it ready for a Burning Man, not the other way around.

(photos: astylelife4me.me)

Are you ready? Have you been sticking to your high protien, high fatty acid, carb restricted diet? Toning your fast twitch muscle fibers,enhancing your VO2 Max, stretching your stretchy parts? Plyometrics? Interval Training? Endurance drinks, protein shakes, nitric oxide supplements, steroids!? Naw, you’re probably just beginning to emerge from the bliss-filled manifest reality of this year’s burn aren’t you. Well, you could be in for a brutal awakening if you’re planning to participate in Tough Mudder at Squaw this weekend. I would say you’re in for a “shocking” experience, but it’s more likely going to be a long, grueling, tortuous trial of your guts, grit, and determination to make it to the finish for your one free beer.

Tough Mudder, electroshock therapy — (photo: toughmudder.com)

The course circumnavigates the rim of the ski resort taking the Mudder through 11 long miles, 23 obstacles, and roughly 2,300 ft of vertical gain. That’s just the difference between the top and bottom of the course. the 2,300 ft number doesn’t even take into account the up and down you’ll be doing throughout many sections of the run.

tough mudder course, squaw valley 2011 — NorCal Tough Mudder Course Map: Squaw 2011

I’ve run the rim of the valley a few times. It ain’t easy, even without any added obstacles or residual Burning Man. If you’ve been training, good on you. But if you are running this one off the couch or straight off the burn. Wow, my hat’s off. Good luck Mudder!

List of obstacles: (use your imagination)