Deaths at recent Tough Mudder races begs the question... How can I stay safe?

Lately, clients have been asking me about mud runs. How do I prepare for mud runs?  How safe are they? Should I participate in one?

Most mud runs have ominous names like ‘Spartan Race’, ‘Warrior Dash’, or some other take on a bad a** theme.

Those of you who’ve been with me for a while already know that I am a big fan of doing something active. Move for goodness sakes! Anything!  I am also a big fan of having fun. (Movement & Fun- both abundant in my boot camps! A little shameless plug goes a long way.)  Both of these, however, should always take a backseat to safety. Be smart and consider your safety first when participating in ‘Mud Runs’.

In recent news, a couple of people have died while participating in these ‘Mud Runs’. If you haven’t heard, here is one alarming article that covers the tragic incidents.  http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-maryland-mans-death-in-tough-mudder-one-of-several-linked-to-similar-events-20130423,0,6395571.story

So what can you do to avoid injury and other more disastrous consequences?

1. Be aware of your own abilities- what you can do and what you cannot do.  In the words of a popular movie tagline..."Danger is real. Fear is a choice." Assess what is potentially dangerous and not worth the risk to YOU.  For example, in my situation, I would avoid a long jump down from a relatively significant height. Why?  Even though my legs are strong enough, I assume the risk of possibly landing incorrectly and hurting my legs.  My profession demands that I be very mobile.  Leg injury would make it difficult to lead outdoor boot camps and travel to train my clients.  I bypass that activity because it is simply not worth it. If you have a desk job and awesome insurance, then you may view a high jump differently.
2. Get an assessment of your overall health. For example, you don't want to jump into ice cold water if you have heart related issues. 
3. Make peace with the idea that you may skip some obstacles beforehand. Otherwise, you may end up dwelling on the obstacles bypassed instead of enjoying the experience of finishing a challenging race. Skip the guilt trip. If you know in advance, you won't get caught up in the mob mentality of following the crowd.  Follow these three simple tips to help you avoid making a disastrous snap decision that can lead to serious consequences.
   

Hope this helps you stay smart and safe, and have fun!

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

RoyAlexanderFitness.com

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