Stewart Clark http://www.craigmanor.co.uk 4m 951 #areyoutoughenough
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Toughest Endurance Challenges in the UK
This infographic highlights some of the UK’s toughest endurance challenges, giving information on the type, location and dates, for you to choose which of these tough events to enter. You will have to be prepared to put in some serious training to ensure you are at your physical best in order to face these arduous events head-on. You will also need to make decisions regarding equipment, so we have added in some handy hints and tips to help you decide.
Are you tough enough to dive into and swim in the chilly waters of the UK, take part in a long cycle race that will take you beyond any pain threshold you have ever experienced before, get down and dirty in a gruelling obstacle challenge, take part in a long distance run that takes your body to its limits? The infographic showcases endurance challenges that you can take part in to raise money for charity or just to prove to yourself that you have what it takes.
‘When the going gets tough the tough getting going’, may be the thought pounding in your head as you use every ounce of strength and stamina to reach the finish line, but once you have achieved your goal you may want to push your body and mind further by entering another of the UK’s most punishing endurance challenges.
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ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH?
A guide to some of the toughest endurance challenges the UK has to offer.
OBSTACLE COURSE EVENTS
- TOTAL WARRIOR ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE
- TOUGH MUDDER
ABOUT THE EVENTS
What is it?
- Tough Mudder: A brutal, and very muddy, obstacle course from the world famous (and feared) race organisers at Tough Mudder.
- Distance: 10-12 mile course in mud and obstacles
- Date: 24/25 September 2016
- Entry Fee: £109
- Location: Holmbush Farm, Faygate West Sussex, RH12 4SE
- Total Warrior Accept the Challenge: One of the toughest assault courses in the UK, set in some of the most picturesque landscapes in the country. A 10 mile assault cause through mud, trees, woods, and over hills.
- Distance: 10 miles (including 30 obstacles)
- Date: 6/7 August 2016
- Entry Fee: From £65
- Location: Shap Abbey, The Lake District, CA10 3NB
OBSTACLE COURSE TRAINING TIPS
Balance Your Training
You’ll need both good cardio training and strength training to get ready for an obstacle course. Incorporate exercises that work muscles not often called upon in the gym.
Running In Mud Tips
- Don’t jump in the centre!
- The outskirts are normally harder and easier to run through.
- Keep momentum
- If you are stuck in the middle, grab on to whatever you can find to help keep your momentum going.
- Get back running quick!
- As soon as you’re out of the bog, scrape the mud off your boots and get back into your normal rhythm.
Toughest Swims
Red Bull Neptune Steps
Chillswim Coniston
5.25 miles End to End
ABOUT THE EVENTS
What is it?
- Chillswim Coniston 5.25 Miles End to End: A grueling open water swim over the length of the Coniston lake in the Lake District.
- Distance: 5.25 miles
- Date: 3 September 2016
- Entry Fee: £97.50
- Location: Coniston Lake, Crumbria Lake District
- Red Bull Neptune Steps: An uphill swimming challenge, involving swimming through freezing water and climbing over 18 lock gates. The 2016 event took place in a Glaswegian canal.
- Distance: 420 metres
- Date: *April 2016 (2017 TBD)
- Entry Fee: £5 charity donation
- Location: 124 Cumlodden Dr, Maryhill, Glasgow City
KEEPING WARM IN OPEN WATER
Fatten Up
Goose fat is excellent for providing extra insulation. Get acclimatised: As few as five 3 minute immersions in cold water can massively reduce your shock response.
Wetsuit or No Wetsuit?
Advantages:
- Keeps you warm
- Provides extra buoyancy
- Aerodynamic
Disadvantages:
- Chafing – Use Vaseline to reduce
- You can overheat if running/cycling in a triathlon
- Not the traditional way
Toughest Cycles
C2C 7 14 71
DAVE RAYNER FUND ETAPE DU DALES
ABOUT THE EVENTS
What is it?
- C2C 7 14 71: A cycle ride from one side of the England to the other, between Tynemouth and Whiteheaven.
- Distance: 140 miles
- Date: Whenever you like!
- Entry Fee: Free
- Location: Start at Tynemouth or Whitehaven, UK
- Dave Rayner Fund Etape Du Dales: An endurance cycle ride that was chosen for the 2014 Tour De France route.
- Distance: 109.5 miles
- Date: 2017 (TBD)
- Entry Fee: “Riase £500 for charity and it’s for free”
- Location: Wharfeside Ave, Skipton, York BD23 5BS
CYCLE TRAINING TIPS
Brutal Then Gentle
Once a week ride to your absolute limit and then follow up with a gentle ride the next day.
Visit the Gym
Visit the gym at least twice a week. Not to use the bikes, but the weights, to target certain muscles you want to strengthen.
- Squats
- Leg Press
- Dead Lift
- Lunges
Practice Pacing
A good way of doing this is maintaining the ability to chat whilst riding. If you can’t talk, you’re doing too much.
Brutal Runs
THE FORCES MARCH
MONTANE LAKELAND U.T.L.D
ABOUT THE EVNETS
What is it?
- The Force March: One of the nation’s top endurance events. 5 ultramarathons in 5 days.
- Distance: 134 miles
- Date: 24-28 May 2017
- Entry Fee: £750
- Location: Seafront Promenade, Wilder Road, EX34 9AJ
- Montane Lakeland U.T.L.D.: A long distance trail race known as the “Ultra Tour of the Lake District”.
- Distance: 140 miles
- Date: 29-31 July 2016
- Entry Fee: £100
- Location: Coniston, Cumbria, Lake District
TRAINING TIPS
Surface
Try to mimic the surface/terrain during key workouts. E.g. Gravel, mud, grass, sand, etc.
Elevation
If you’re planning to run in a race where hill climbs are involved but you live in a flat location, get to the gym and use the treadmill on an incline. Another great option is running stairs/steps.
Balance
Working on your balance will give you a big advantage on uneven terrain.
CRAIG MANOR HOTEL
OVERLOOKING LAKE WINDERMERE
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