They should have Tough Mudder races designed for race walkers.
They should have Tough Mudder races designed for race walkers.
reading comprehension wrote:
These types of races are more challenging and rewarding than traditional running. I have yet to see any serious defense against this argument.
How are they more challenging? In running there is ALWAYS a challenge, the clock. If you have run a 18:00 5K then try to run a 17:30. If you have run 15:30 then try to run 15:00. Running does not have to be a 'just finish' event.
I can definitely see where the mud events are fun and there is no problem with that. But where is the big challenge in simply completing one of these events? These courses maybe hard for out of shape people but what is the DNF rate? If there is no real challenge how can it be more rewarding? More fun, maybe. More rewarding, I don't see it.
I would enjoy doing a mud run but I would much rather set a new PR at most any distance. That is accomplishment.
No problem. And I sincerely appreciate it Francis.
reading comprehension wrote:
These types of races are more challenging and rewarding than traditional running. I have yet to see any serious defense against this argument.
Tough Mudder claims:
"Probably the toughest event on the planet"
"Marathon running is boring"
"we do not post the finish times" because "it's lame"
Screw them.
Oh, and it's $40/ticket for SPECTATORS.
Screw them.
I hate tough mudder more than I hate the Rock-n-Roll marathon series.
Not only am I offended by the tough mudder races, but I am also offended by those who are offended by same. Can they not leave being offended to professionals like me who know so much better how properly to be offended? Do they really have to make such a mockery of my occupation?
I've seen this play out before. It starts out as a harmless variation on the usual, but eventually they want to be taken seriously as a "real sport".
Look at what triathlon has done. Now Crossfit is trying to tell us that they too are a real sport.
The thing I missed abou the old days is that you'd show up to a road race and it would actually be a footrace between people - not an obastacle course, multisport, charity fund raiser, etc. No BS, just who run to the finish line the quickest.
Older than Durt wrote:
Now Crossfit is trying to tell us that they too are a real sport.
Wow, what does this have to do with Crossfit? Go on google, do some research on crossfit before and after pictures - you will find incredible transformations. Crossfit is the real deal. The ultimate challenge. And in the Crossfit games, only the toughest succeed. Peace.
think a little bit wrote:
Incorrect: These courses maybe hard for out of shape people but what is the DNF rate?...
Correct: More fun, maybe.
Your welcome.
PS - Please, no newbies. Thanks.
Older than Durt wrote:
I've seen this play out before. It starts out as a harmless variation on the usual, but eventually they want to be taken seriously as a "real sport".
Look at what triathlon has done. Now Crossfit is trying to tell us that they too are a real sport.
The thing I missed abou the old days is that you'd show up to a road race and it would actually be a footrace between people - not an obastacle course, multisport, charity fund raiser, etc. No BS, just who run to the finish line the quickest.
Agreed. And I feel the same way about most marathons and certified courses. What happened to footraces? Draw a line and race from this pub to that....
These obstacle races are so fun and it obviously takes a mixture of athleticism and running ability to win one. a few weeks after running 49.4 400m and I'm sure i couldn't crack a 4:45 mile, I beat a friend who had just ran a 4:25 mile the week before. I was just so much better over the obstacles.
He and I and the best finishers were all on a team. Our best guy was just a beast runner and is actually competing at D2 Championships in about 20min in the 1500 with a seed time of 3:47high. He's athletic as well but eventually I think if you're fast enough it doesn't matter.
reading comprehension wrote:
These types of races are more challenging and rewarding than traditional walking. I have yet to see any serious defense against this argument.
I fixed that quote for you to be more agreeable, since nearly all TM particpants walk the race, then yes: I'd say Tough Mudder is tougher than traditional walking.
But as a participant in both traditional running races and a recent Tough Mudder, I can assure you the TM lacks in both challenge and reward.
I did this thing with three friends, all active people, but not at the pinnacle of fitness by any stretch. We jogged some. We walked most. We finished in the top 5% and qualified for their "world championship."
Sure, if you're grappling with some related phobia to things like enclosed spaces, electric shock, fire, being submerged, etc. there's some challenge there to overcome. But for your average runner, there really is no challenge.
And that's evident in the demographic if you go to one of these things. Very few slight of build endurance types out there. A ton of beefcake, gym rat/cross-fit types out there.
I had a blast doing it, and would highly recommend this if you're looking to do something with a couple friends and don't mind dropping $100+ for the event.
His mother was a mudder.
Lighten up Francis wrote:
I love these posts because it solidifies my theory that a majority of letsrun posters are insecure d-bags.
You laugh at a woman because she does intervals on a treadmill at a slower speed than you could do? You laugh at her because she was excited about a race and bought new shoes? F**k off you little twit. Thousands of elite runners could snicker at you and your racing flats and your short shorts as you crank out your 17 minute 5k.
By continuing to start threads about tough muddier, warrior dash, Crossfit, etc. you only prove their worth. What are you so afraid of?
You also sound a little insecure. Do you read these posts so that you can tell yourself you're better than the "insecure d-bags" on letsrun?
Lighten up Francis wrote:
You're probably right that I'm overreacting. I know you're right that I'm an a-hole. However, I don't change my position post to post in a desperate attempt to be right at all costs. I incorrectly inferred that you started the thread, my apologies. What pissed me off wasn't even so much your individual post, but a long string of posts from so many on this subject. Lighthearted sarcasm can be funny and entertaining...but on letsrun it is always bashing people that aren't very fast or people that engage in an activity other than what is deemed acceptable here. At some point lighthearted sarcasm becomes a condescending pile of crap.
So you took the brunt of my frustration with the group...sorry.
It's really sad that posts on letsrun pissed you off. Go beat your kids some more.
Lighten up, lighten up Francis wrote:
Lighten up Francis wrote:I love these posts because it solidifies my theory that a majority of letsrun posters are insecure d-bags.
You laugh at a woman because she does intervals on a treadmill at a slower speed than you could do? You laugh at her because she was excited about a race and bought new shoes? F**k off you little twit. Thousands of elite runners could snicker at you and your racing flats and your short shorts as you crank out your 17 minute 5k.
By continuing to start threads about tough muddier, warrior dash, Crossfit, etc. you only prove their worth. What are you so afraid of?
You also sound a little insecure. Do you read these posts so that you can tell yourself you're better than the "insecure d-bags" on letsrun?
And you clearly have been reading these in order to pass tertiary judgement. D-Bag.
mightymo wrote:
His mother was a mudder.
Hia father was a mudder
It doesn't matter what they save of Pure Runners, its a 10 mile obstacle course not a 5k,10k or half marathon.
Go run your 5ks in 16:40 and feel fast winning your bush league Turkey Trots and quit whining about something that isn't taking away from any competition in local road races.
ray wrote:
Older than Durt wrote:I've seen this play out before. It starts out as a harmless variation on the usual, but eventually they want to be taken seriously as a "real sport".
Look at what triathlon has done. Now Crossfit is trying to tell us that they too are a real sport.
The thing I missed abou the old days is that you'd show up to a road race and it would actually be a footrace between people - not an obastacle course, multisport, charity fund raiser, etc. No BS, just who run to the finish line the quickest.
Agreed. And I feel the same way about most marathons and certified courses. What happened to footraces? Draw a line and race from this pub to that....
The only real races are when you are chasing something to kill and eat it, or are being chased by something that wants to kill and eat you. All other races are for pussies. There - argument taken to its (illogical) conclusion.
Older than Durt wrote:
Now Crossfit is trying to tell us that they too are a real sport.
Crossfit does get more airtime on ESPN than track....
ESPN is a joke!
Older than Durt wrote:
I've seen this play out before. It starts out as a harmless variation on the usual, but eventually they want to be taken seriously as a "real sport".
Not only did it start out harmless but most runners thought it was a great idea. Go back to the dyestat cool pics thread, in 2007 someone posted some pictures from one of these obstacle things in the UK and people couldn't say enough about how awesome it looked and how they wanted to do one.