What To Expect From A Mud Run

So back in October I completed my first adventure/mud run - Survival of The Fittest by Rat Race. Now there are many varieties of this type of thing such as Tough Mudder, Total Warrior etc. I can only speak from experience but I have decided that this sport - if you could call it that? Is right up my street and something I love doing. As I mentioned in my Half Marathon Experience Post - I was running the half marathon to train for another event I'm doing in a few weeks time called Dirty Weekend. This event is 13 miles with over 150 obstacles in between! There is a 20 miler one but I don't think I'm quite geared up for that just yet.  Once I've completed this event (if I make it to the finish line!) I might think completely opposite but for now the thing I like most about the obstacle running is the training element, which leads me onto the whole point of this post with what to expect from a mud run and what's really involved. I still have a Go-Pro Vlog of the whole thing from Survival of The Fittest that I need to edit the footage of and upload at some point which I will be sure to throw on the blog when it's ready. Anyway without no further ado, here's what to expect at a mud run...

1. Train Hard - If this is new to you, you really don't know what you're letting yourself in for! For these type of events you need stamina, endurance and strength. Luckily for me I love my style of training- which I discussed in more detail in this post HERE. Essentially, you need to be running every week, I'd probably recommend at least twice a week but I'm a lazy runner and I only really go once a week. You need to be putting in the miles if you're going to drag yourself around a course and still have strength to do obstacles in between. Speaking of strength, you're going to need to do various styles of functional training and keep it varied, think Battleropes, Pull Ups (if you can do them - I definitely can't!), Burpees, Kettlebell Swings etc and a little weightlifting in there wouldn't hurt neither.

2. There Will Be Mud & Glitter - I know the idea of covering yourself in mud doesn't sound fun to some people but it's my kinda fun so that's okay! No seriously the warm up leading up to the event is so empowering and the atmosphere is great and everyone is excited to just get going. Why not make the excuse of getting yourself head to toe in mud by throwing a little Glitter on you.

3. Teamwork is Crucial - Getting yourself over them haybales ain't as easy as it looks, I can assure you! My recommendation if you're thinking of doing one of these events is definitely not to go it alone - sign up as a team and get through it together. It can be both psychically and mentally challenging and you and your pals will need to give each other a pep talk throughout and maybe a leg over when someone is struggling! The buzz and adrenaline will you get through it all and at the end you'll feel amazing...and knackered!!

Weightloss - How I lost 30lb in 5 months

Okay so you guys may have noticed I have been completely AWOL on the blog over the past few months and honestly it's not even because I have lost passion for blogging or anything. I have just been using other social media outlets to document what I've been up to and been so busy learning new things. I feel over the past 6 months I have really grown as a person and made both a mental and psychical transformation - which leads me into the topic of this blog post! 

So since the end of July last year I've lost 30lbs. Lots of people have been asking me 'what's your secret' and everything but I don't have any secrets, I will just tell you how I did it! Before I get into it though I'd like to point out I still am on a weightloss journey and have found such a passion for fitness in the past year so I would really like to start posting more of this content with of course a mix of the stuff I've always posted on here. 

Find something/someone to keep you accountable

1.The first thing I did was sign up to an event called 'survival of the fittest' which is a 10km obstacle course by a company called rat race. After that I thought right okay, how am I going to achieve this goal, like I didn't want it to get to race day and me not be prepared, so I knew I had to put a lot of hard work in or I would just be embarrassed on the day! So I would seriously recommend either signing up to something to train for or to put a date on something you'd like to achieve a goal by - that way it makes it real and you can begin to put the hard work in! 

2. I hired a Personal Trainer who I train with twice a week and still do to this day. Now I know not everyone can afford a personal trainer but don't let money restrict too much. You could always find a few friends who enjoy the gym and do a group PT session to spread the costs and still get a banging work out in! The other option is to go to gym classes, I find these to be a great way to meet like-minded people and also to keep you motivated.  I know PT's are expensive but I honestly find I get every pennies worth. The way my trainer puts me through my paces is amazing! I always like to think I do push myself when I train on my own, but not to the extent that my trainer does. Every time I train we do something different as well! 

What is your diet? 

This is a common question people have asked me, and rightly so because when I see other weightloss transformations, I am always keen to learn how others have achieved such amazing results. For me, I didn't calorie count at all! I just tried to eat the best I could and fuel my body in the right way. I'm a vegetarian and also try to eat plant based where possible as I don't think my body works well with dairy - it gives me spots etc! I will be totally honest and say the old phrase of 'everything in moderation' mantra is true. Believe me when I say I've had sooo many cheat days where I've had dominoes, Chinese, the odd Krispy Kreme etc. Do not deprive yourself! The diet part is actually the bit where I struggle most but I am working so hard to get better every day and you can do the same. Remember the mind gives up before the body! 

What exercise do you do? 

So over the last 6 months I have definitely upped my exercise regime and I am completely loving it. I enjoy a variety of exercise disciplines - classes I currently do include body pump and functional rig class. I also enjoy running and my favourite day at the gym is leg day. Spinning is something I dabble in and go through phases with! Like everyone there are days where I seriously can't be bothered but I have fallen in love with the feeling after a workout, and I love to work up a sweat! The only workout you regret is the one you didn't have!

Let me know if you guys enjoyed reading this, I feel I have a lot of content that I can potentially start posting about fitness and food that I think you will all find really useful and plus I love to have an excuse to keep on track too!