what to bring to an obstacle course race

What do you wear to an obstacle race?

Wicking fabrics are the key to a good top; the water should wick away and not be held in the top. Also, a formfitting or compression top is preferable as it has less of a chance to get snagged on a wire, rope, or another obstacle. Many women also opt for a form fitting tank as another option.

What do I need to bring to OCR?

What You Should Wear to Your Obstacle Course Race: The Ultimate OCR Summer KitOCR Specific Shoes. Without a doubt, the first thing on anyone's shopping list should be OCR shoes. ... Shorts. Some people can't stand shorts, but if you find a pair that works for you they are your savior for summer racing. ... Calf Guards. ... Tech Vest.

What should I bring to a mud race?

What to Wear for Your First Mud RunHead. Avoid wearing anything extra on your head like a hat or sunglasses. ... Tops. Wear a shirt or tank that is form-fitting and has wicking fabric. ... Bottoms. ... Shoes and Socks. ... Shoes: Most mud runs will have extremely muddy sections where your regular running shoes won't cut it.

How do you prepare for an obstacle course?

How to Train for an Obstacle Course RaceSign up. ... Get your gear. ... Mix running and strength training. ... Increase muscular endurance. ... Get grip strength. ... Bring a friend. ... Clean up your diet. ... Pack a travel bag.

What should I bring to a race?

Race-Day ChecklistShoes and socks.Singlet and/or sports bra.Shorts.Water and/or sports drink.Race number.Timing chip.Pins or race-number belt.Energy gels.More items...•

Can you wear gloves during a Spartan race?

If you are running a Spartan Race Stadium Sprint, by all means, wear some gloves. They will protect your hands at several obstacles and if you need to take them off, no problem.

What kind of shoes are best for a mud run?

7 Best Mud Running Shoes in 2022Best overall. Salomon Speedcross 5. $130 $95 From Amazon.Best waterproof. Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX. $150 $138 From Amazon.Best grip. Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260. ... Best for ultra. La Sportiva Lycan GTX. ... Best lightweight. Hoka One One Evo Jawz. ... Best value. Saucony Peregrine 11. ... Most popular. Altra Lone Peak 6.

Do you need gloves for Tough Mudder?

If you're going to compete in a Tough Mudder your going to want a great pair of gloves. The “Funky Monkey” and “Berlin Wall” obstacles require you to use your fingers and hands and you will find that a good pair of gloves indispensable in gripping and climbing.

What should kids wear to a mud run?

DRESS LIGHT. The less clothing the better. Avoid clothing that will soak up water. Team outfits are highly recommended. Along those same lines, be sure to choose a great kids obstacle course team name.

How do you prepare for a terrain race?

Focus on movements that build strength for common obstacle movements, like crawling, climbing and jumping--try jump-squats, lunges, pull-ups and push-ups. Look for a list of the obstacles or photos of them so you can tailor your strength-training workouts more specifically.

How do you build endurance for an obstacle course?

One of the best ways to build endurance for full obstacle course races is to incorporate distance running and training that helps you achieve and maintain a specific heart rate. We recommend completing 80% of your training at 80% or less of your max heart rate.

How long do you need to train for a Spartan Race?

Assuming you have a baseline of fitness, you should train for at least one month for a Spartan Race with strength training moves that build your upper body and grip strength. What is this? Ideally, you would train for two to three months for a Spartan race to adequately prepare for the challenge.

What to wear for mud runs?

You can also wear spandex shorts, some lightweight, flexible run shorts or hybrid compression running shorts for the best of both worlds. Check out a few of our recommendations for obstacles race bottoms:

What is mud gear?

According to MudGear, this is the ideal obstacle course race jersey. It has a fitted custom poly blend, highly breathable wicking material with convenient drainage and highly durable flat-lock stitching that makes it a strong option. This mud run gear also has a honeycomb 4-way stretch technology that hugs your skin, but naturally moves with it, breathing with you. MudGear’s performance shirt is Spartan Race tested.

What are beastly shoes?

Theses beastly shoes are all about providing you with the ultimate grip, as it has 8mm studs to claw into the muddy terrain and a multidirectional stud pattern that allows mud to get released from the outsole quickly. They also have a ‘Dual-C’ mix of medium sticky and hard stick rubbers, keeping the studs strong to help you stomp through several mud runs. For protection against stones and debris, there’s a rand that wraps around the shoe’s upper and toe bumper.

Do you wear a compression shirt for a mud run?

Yeah, going shirtless is an option, but you’re better off wearing a compression shirt or Dri-Fit top. Most races will start early in the morning, so you want a compression shirt that will keep your body heat in and your muscles loose while you’re immersed in muddy waters. It also provides some protection from scratches or burns that you could potentially get throughout the mud run course. Dri-fit, moisture-wicking compression tops will also enhance your range of motion so you can dominate each obstacle in your path.

Do you need gloves for mud run?

There will be some activities in your run that will be easier to handle with a convenient pair of gloves, such as climbing ropes or carrying cinder blocks. It’s really better to have them and not need them than to need them and come up with empty pockets. Some racers will wear them throughout the whole course and some only use them for specific mud run activities, so you’ll just have to feel it out. Make sure the gloves you choose fit well and have plenty of grip.

Is New Balance trail running waterproof?

Although they’re not waterproof, these shoes can give you an unwavering hold in muddy terrain, thanks to New Balance’s ‘Vibram MegaGrip’ outsole. They even have superior toe protection, for those times when you scramble to clear a more complicated Spartan Race obstacle.

Is cotton good for mud runs?

Before we get into the nitty gritty, lets take some time to discuss downsides of wearing cotton apparel, as well as the advantages of more breathable synthetics. Wearing cotton apparel for the Spartan Race and other mud runs is a rookie move. Although cotton is a fantastic material, it’s horrible for obstacle races because you’ll definitely get wet and it holds water very well. This means you’ll feel heavier, leading to the obstacles sapping your energy faster. Cotton also loses its form, which can make it a nuisance. Stick to breathable, synthetic fabric and you’ll feel much more mobile and lighter when you’re doing a mud run. Synthetic fiber clothing will hug your body, but won’t absorb liquid and won’t snag on random objects.

What to wear for a muddy trail race?

The more clothing you will carry the more it’s going to absorb mud and water, which will slow you down. General practice for men is to simply wear shorts and shoes; sports bras with shorts or yoga pants for women. Just remember the no cotton rule, because cotton usually dries super slow and causes massive chaffing in the areas you would never want this to happen. Synthetic, lightweight and quick drying trail running equipment is the best choice for races. Same applies to shoes. There are many brands out there producing special, water-draining shoes which are incredibly durable and serve well in a muddy race. For more tips on choosing your gear check out our gear section.

Why do racers get sick?

There are a number of illnesses racers get because they ingest murky water or get it in contact with broken skin, infecting the wounds. These illnesses include: stomach bugs, causing diarrhoea and vomiting, Weil’s (Leptospirosis), which is admittedly very uncommon, and the well known lime disease from ticks. You have to remember that most trails are living grounds for forest and wild animals, and rodents.

What is the golden rule of racing?

Golden rule to preparing for the racing day is to set out all those essential items the night before, because as Benjamin Franklin said: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”. Chances are, that very morning your mind is going to be racing through hundreds of different problems which will include logistics, communication, waiver printing, sorting out what to wear, what to bring etc. – the list continues and is truly overwhelming.

Can you bring GoPro batteries in water?

Generally it is not recommended to bring anything which is not water resistant, but if you are planning to pack your GoPro batteries, mobile phone, keys or anything which should not get wet bring some of these badboys. Choose thicker plastic bags with a strong and tight closing system. You can find these on ebay or any outdoors and trail running supply store.

Obstacle Course Specific Trail Shoes

There’s a definite science in trail shoes, and we’ve all seen the articles stating the pros and cons of different shoes: the dry weight, the wet weight, the depth of tread, the drop, the aesthetics. Ultimately, it comes down to what works for your feet, and sadly that can take some trial and error.

Compression Gear

So some guys like to run topless, and whilst we’re certainly not complaining about that, it’s not necessarily recommended for everyone (I for one turn into an icicle at the merest hint of inclement weather). The answer it appears, lies in compression wear.

Socks

No really, socks. Look, if you’re going to buy the shoes, get the socks. If you’ve ever run in cotton socks you’ll know the feeling of a soggy sock slithering down to the toes of your shoes. It’s gross, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Dry Bag

This one is more post-race, but its been a life saver more times than I care to think of. Often after an obstacle course race, you’re tired, cold, wet, and hungry. You want to get changed, and get warm. You don’t much care about your kit, and if you’re anything like me you’ll strip off where you stand. Enter your dry bag.

DryRobe

Surely, the ultimate of OCR kit, the DryRobe. The first time I used one I borrowed it for Winter Tough Guy. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without it. Since then they’re branched out into new shapes and designs, and you can even get them branded with your own team name and logo.

What Gear Do You Need?

Yancy Culp has been a certified fitness coach for 20 years and trains more top OCR athletes than anyone else. He said the first thing runners new to OCR ask is about shoes.

What happens when you finish a race later than you planned?

Much like a first marathon, ending a race much later than you planned can send runners into a downward spiral of self-doubt. “When you’re assessing the time you expect to be out on the course, make sure you add about 25 to 50 percent to your expected finishing time of an equivalent road or trail race,” Kolbl says. “The added strain and exhaustion from completing obstacles will slow you down greatly.”

What to do if you can't do pull ups?

If you can’t perform a pull-up, you can start with a resistance band to help you start. You can also work on something called “negative pull-ups.” This is an exercise where you start from the top of the pull-up, and lower yourself slowly. (Need more help getting strong? Try these five moves on your next trail run .)

What to wear to an obstacle course?

When you're aiming to become effective in outdoor obstacle course races, leave your cotton T-shirts and baggy sweat outfits behind. There are a lot of things that can get you when you're wearing these as you go through the obstacle course:

What do you need to do to last the race?

When you're hoping to last the entirety of the race, you need to focus on both cardio and strength training for your preparation. You need to balance both especially if you're new to the whole fitness idea.

What is the objective of obstacle races?

A lot of people agree that the primary objective of obstacle races is to actually overcome the obstacles. What this means for you is that you don't need to stress yourself out with running. Walking in between the obstacles is acceptable if that gives you enough energy to get over them.

Do marathons have water stations?

If you've been in marathons, you know there are lots of water stations spread out across the entire track. However, the same isn't apparent to most obstacle races since they only have one. There are times when you don't even have the luxury of having one.

Do you need brute strength to run an obstacle course?

An obstacle course doesn't require brute strength alone. Always remember that while it helps you a lot, you need a lot of other things to ensure that you get through it without straining or injuring yourself. It requires you to hone your agility, balance, and the understanding of what momentum is.

Do you need to make overcomplicated regimens for obstacle course training?

You don't need to make overcomplicated regimens for your obstacle course race training needs . Follow these tips and you'll have a great time preparing for your upcoming race, regardless of whether you're alone or with your friends. Remember, it's the experience and enjoyment that counts the most.

What do you need to do to win an obstacle race?

In most obstacle races, you’ll have to climb up ropes, traverse ropes, jump over walls, and cross monkey bars . This means you need to be strong enough to hold and pull up your own body weight, usually with an asymmetrical grip.

How to keep balance when crossing balance beams?

Instructions: Select a moderate- to heavy-weight, and hold it in your right hand. Stand tall with your shoulders packed and core tight. Step your right foot forward, bending both knees down to about 90°.

How to do a plank?

Instructions: Start in a high-plank position – hands on the ground, arms fully extended, and feet about hips-width apart – with one weight outside of your right hand. Get long from head to heels. If you’re doing plank correctly, you should be able to draw a straight line through your head, shoulders, hips, and heels. Maintaining this strong position, reach your left hand underneath your body to grab the weight and drag it along the floor to the outside of your left shoulder. Then plant your left hand, and reach your right hand underneath you to drag the weight back to the right. Keep going, and don’t let your hips or shoulders dip or twist.

How to do a pull up bar?

Instructions: Using a pull-up bar, you’re going to place your right hand in front of your left, with both palms facing into the mid-line. Hang from the bar, keeping your shoulders packed away from your ears. Perform a pull-up bringing your head to the left side of the bar, then lower back down to the start.

How to strengthen your grip?

When you have to jump over a tall wall, climb straight up a rope, or cross the monkey bars, you’ll be glad you did this exercise. Hanging oblique raises strengthen your grip while building your core control.

Does kettlebell drag build core?

Having a strong, stable core will help you conquer so many obstacles – crawling under barbed wire, crossing a cargo net, walking across rope ladders, etc. The plank kettlebell drag will not only build your core endurance, but also anti-rotational strength.