Mud Run Training: Tough Mudder Walk the Plank

Article by Willum Spalding

When people ask me questions on Tough Mudder education, their curiosity is the most intense to prepare for two obstacles, “Electric Shock” and “Walk the Plank.” This week’s mud run training will cover how to prepare for the notorious Walk the Plank obstacle.

Walk the Plank is for the hard-core mud run maniac. Before I describe how I prepare for it, let me just tell you a little about my first experience in the Tri-State Tough Mudder in 2010. By the time my team and I came to this obstacle, we had already jumped in and out of the water several times. We were soaked and freezing. The temperature that day was in the high 30’s and the water temperature was a bitter 38 degrees. We were the first (09:00) run on Sunday, so when we arrived at the foot of the towers, there was little, if any wait at all. This was probably better because there was less time to think. We divided into two teams of two and climbed the ropes above to the diving stage. I remember looking across the lake, which seemed as if it were miles away.

I think we were about 12 or 15 feet above the water surface… because I am afraid of heights, to me it seemed much farther. When I looked down I could see mud runners in every direction scratching and clawing at the water, trying to swim, heavy condensation pouring from their noses and mouth with every breath of the freezing air. Some seemed as if they were stuck in a state of shock because the temperature of the icy cold water as others were pulled out by rescue team. It was like a scene from the movie Titanic. We were not trained for this!

But that’s why we chose to run a Tough Mudder event after all, to conquer our fears! We jumped in one after another. When I hit the water, I felt like I tore through glass. I sank deep into the lake, never hit the bottom and immediately began to panic and rush up through the dark brown water. By the time I reached the top, I was exhausted, my testicles felt like they were in my stomach, I could barely move my arms and legs, and catching my breath seemed impossible. Not a very good swimmer, I was in serious panic. My partner also slipped out of the surface in a state of shock, and we basically held hands as we tried to swim to safety on the other side of the lake. Once we got close to shore, we had to duck dive under the four rows of barrels before finally kissing the muddy bank. We stopped to think a minute about our near death-defying experience.

What I learned … Simulate the operating conditions of the mud.

More often than not, difficult mud run obstacles will force you to use non-conventional mud run training methods. Sometimes to train to run a serious mud run event, you just need to get down and dirty.

1. When you train, use the clothes you will wear on race day. Don’t do your mud run training in six layers of shirts and pants and a wool hat. Pull on your running spandex, Under Armour, Vibrams and gloves and get out there. There is nothing worse than leaving your comfort zone for the first time, so don’t make your mud run your first time.

2. Training in the elements is key. Running in the rain, wind, hot summer sun, etc, will really pay off once you hit extreme weather on race day. Try not to wait for a great day to run and learn to love the nasty elements.

3. Train in sand, mud, and rough terrain. If your backyard is the beach, use it for your track workouts at least once or twice a week. If you don’ live close to shore, look for a good off-road trails with plenty of elevation changes and get stepping paying close attention to foot placement as you run. If you must train indoors, get on the treadmill and vary the elevation every 2-5 minutes of your run to best simulate mud running conditions.

4. Get in the water! Next time you head out for a mud run training run, get in your gear and head for the nearest body of water. When you get there, plunge in for a few seconds, the keep running wet through the end of your run. I like to do this at the midway point of my run, so I can simulate the soaking wet, cold conditions I’ll likely need to endure during my mud run. This was probably the most effective mud run training method that I used to get through Tough Mudder Walk Plank in my second attempt.

5. Scream! When you jump off the board, so be sure to scream and keep shouting when you hit the water. This will help you avoid swallowing icy cold mud water down your throat. For real – it works!

6. Get oriented before trying to swim.> One of the worst things I did when I hit the water in my first Tough Mudder was panic and flail my limbs, which accomplished two things: I got tired and I got nowhere. Panicking does not improve your position, neither does flailing your arms and legs. Instead, I suggest jumping feet first with arms up and crossed over his chest. Go down and when you feel your body slowly rising to the top, give one or two heavy strokes to shoot yourself back to the surface. Use a second or two to get your composure, then start swimming.

7. Keep calm. Remember, emergency personnel is all around you. The deepest portion of the water is about 12-15 feet. Your teammates and hundreds of other mud run maniacs are nearby. You’ll be OK. Do what you can to get into this mode of thinking before hitting the water.

8. Help out your fellow Mudders. The best thing about being a mud run maniac is the camaraderie. When you feel safe again, as you approach the coast, look behind you to see if you can help one or two mudders. It’s a fantastic feeling to beat the hard obstacles like Walk the Plank, but it’s an even better feeling to help a few maniacs or two along the way

Mud Run Maniac wants to hear from you! Do you agree / disagree with these training methods and advice? What other mud run training topics interest you?

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