It’s Friday afternoon and I’ve just arrived at the gym ready for my workout. As people start arriving for the 5pm HIIT class, I hope they can’t see how sweaty I am and realise that this is my fifth class of the day…
I’m training for World’s Toughest Mudder, a 24-hour extreme obstacle race in the Nevada desert, near Las Vegas. I’ve never been to Vegas before and always assumed that my first visit would be on a girl’s weekend or a romantic trip to experience the high life.
I was wrong. My first trip there will be to take on a challenge like I’ve never experienced before. The course is five miles long and the aim is to get round as many times as possible in 24 hours. With twice as many obstacles per mile as a normal Tough Mudder event, I’m preparing myself for a brutal day and night.
Here are the top five ways I trained for World’s Toughest Mudder, which could also be applied to any endurance event:
1. Build an endurance base
The last thing I want going into an event like this is doubting whether I can actually go the distance. I’ve climbed mountains and cycled across countries in the dead of night, through all sorts of extreme weather. Although I think what I’ll experience in Vegas will be a whole different ball game, I know I can rely on a solid endurance base mentally and physically to help me keep going and do the best I can.
TOP TIP: To build your endurance base, choose events that are over five hours long. Anything from an Ironman to 24-hour or multi-day challenges will really stretch you and build your confidence.
2. Focus on functional training
I train at my locoal London gym, Evolve353. My training is broken up into HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) classes, weight training classes and personal training. My trainers have been amazing at tailoring my workouts in the lead up to WTM. We created a mini obstacle course in the gym involving weights, ropes, boxes and hanging off things to build grip strength.
TOP TIP: Think about the type of exercise that would be useful for your specific challenge. Outdoor gyms exist in many parks, or you can use benches and logs to build your own. Make it fun!
3. Smash a personal training challenge
I knew I needed to up the ante and do something that would really push me. I normally hit the gym every day, so I started going twice a day. That floored me for a few days, but then I felt stronger so I decided to go big. I set myself a goal of doing every HIIT session there was in one day. That’s six HIIT classes between 6:30am and 7pm. I was pretty tired at the end, but the challenge served its purpose of helping me feel ready in mind and body, and it was fun to have a goal to work towards!
TOP TIP: Set yourself a challenge that makes you feel scared and excited in equal measure. Six HIIT classes was a week’s worth of training in one day, so I was nervous I wouldn’t do it, but excited by idea that I might.
4. Learn how to manage your mind
Through years of endurance challenges, I have learnt how to manage my mind in the inevitable highs and lows that come with a 24-hour challenge. However, knowing how to do it doesn’t make it less painful or easier to get through. In some ways, I think it can make it harder because I give myself no space to falter. The most important element is the belief that you can do this. If this belief is watertight, you can do anything you set your mind to.
TOP TIP: In the lead up to your event, focus on feeling strong and positive rather than focusing on negative thoughts and self-doubt. Don’t let them in!
5. Know your biggest obstacle
Accepting that this is going to be insane, and that there will undoubtedly be moments when I want to cry and curl up in bed, is a big part of it. In these times, I will tap into the energy and support of the people around me. When I feel utterly broken and like I have nothing else to give, I can always find something to keep going if I want to. Those moments feel magical to me, they build a strength inside of me that is unbreakable. They are what I live for and why I say yes to these crazy challenges.
TOP TIP: Remember why you are doing the challenge you’ve set yourself. You wouldn’t be doing if it was easy. You’ve got this!
Am I ready? Let’s go and find out! The event starts at noon on Saturday 12 November.
For more adventure racing inspiration, check these stories out: