Cross Training is Amazing and the Tough Mudder is TERRIFYING

Working on reverse rows here...trying to develop grip strength, and the ability to pick myself up. This isht is hard.
Gear: The North Face Capris, Swiftwick* Socks, Pearl Izumi M2, Panache Sports Bra

Over the last two months, I’ve been training and preparing for a bunch of events, one of which is the Atlanta Tough Mudder sponsored by Merrell* in May. That conversation went something like this:

Merrell: Hey Mirna, are you interested in Tough Mudders?
Mirna: I mean, I've never done one but, yeah, sure. Why not? I'll try it.
Merrell: Ok, which one?
Mirna: Um, I don't know, Atlanta? That's close to me.
Ok--Great, you're on.

Wait. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? 
WHAT WAS I THINKING?????

So now there's no backtracking.  To tell you the truth, the idea of a Tough Mudder really scares me...gives me the shivers. Why? I’ll tell you why:

First of all (in my best Brooklyn accent), have you seen any of those videos with CoachMud?  Or the other guy with the mustache who puts himself through absolutely grueling training so that he can complete his Tough Mudder? It’s just downright frightening!
Second, I've never been successful at upper body things. Never. Rock Climbing? Nope. Hanging and swinging? Nope. Planking for more than a few seconds at a time? HELL NAW. 

Started with doing The Firm Express by Gaiam and some Hammer and Chisel by Beachbody with lighter weights. Gear: Torrid Fashion Bra-Tank, Skirt Sports*
Redemption Capris

I decided that I would put myself through some extra strength-training, not so that I can be like Coach Mudd or Mr. Mustache, but so I can begin to gain some badly needed strength in all areas of my body, and most importantly SO I DON'T LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE FOOL during the TM community workout on March 19 in Atlanta (location and time TBA) and the actual Tough Mudder itself. And let me tell ya, the little bit I’ve been doing has ALREADY greatly enhanced my running.

After doing some research on various strength-training sites and using what I already know from my own coaching training and experience, I put together a program of weightlifting and body weight exercises that is definitely making a difference in my ability to lift heavy things, including myself.

Hanging practice. Gear: Skirt Sports 261
Switzer Capri, VSX Sports Bra, Pearl Izumi
Road M2

I actually started out with a couple of sets that I found on https://www.muscleandstrength.com using dumbbells only. It’s a workout for beginners looking to gain some strength that is done on alternate days. Each one is a mix of upper and lower-body exercises along with some core work. You leave the gym (or your living room) not feeling completely exhausted—maybe even invigorated. But trust me, you WILL feel it the next day… Don’t worry though, you won’t be working the same muscles on the following days.  And to tell you the truth, that slight soreness is delicious.

In the Tough Mudder, there are lots of obstacles (read: ALL OF THEM) that require upper body strength, balance, and more upper body strength, all of which are my weakest links. So I’m going hard! Since high school, I’ve never been able to do even one pull-up, and as I understand, mostly everything in the TM will be me hoisting heavy-ass self up with my arms. So yeah, I’m working on that too!

I also incorporated another strength training routine (that I’m switching out with the aforementioned on a two week rotation) that has me doing chest/shoulders/triceps one day, back/biceps/core the second day, and quads/hamstrings/calves the last day.

Overhead press. Gear: Torrid Fashion jacket,
Skirt Sports GTD Tights, Pearl Izumi shoes

Mind blown.

Stairs—Easier. Like, I-feel-like-I’m-on-a-properly-inflated-moonbounce kind of easier.

I can hang from a bar for more than five seconds. This is life-changing people. YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW.

I can hoist heavy weights above my head and hold them there without swaying to and fro.

Mountain climbers feel like marshmallows for the 10 seconds I do them. This has never happened, folks. NEVER. IN. MY. LIFE.

I can pick up a heavy weight in my hands using mostly my BUTTOCKS. Incredible.
Did I tell you that I can hang from a bar? I did? Oh, but you don’t realize how epically important this is for me. Since high school, I’ve never been able to do an unassisted pullup—and I still can’t but that’s beside the point. I am going to get there—soon, I hope. My plan is to progress from hanging to being able to hoist myself up, and hang from ropes and swing for a few seconds. This Tough Mudder training is REAL. Like FOREALTHO.

Deadlift practice. Gear: Top Quarter Zip by Merrell, Switzer Capri by Skirt Sports, Gloves by Saranac.

Running feels way easier.  Like, sometimes I can’t even tell that I just ran 4 miles. Usually, I can tell.

I can do a plank for more than 30 seconds. If you know me, you know I hate planks and I don’t like working on them and avoid them whenever possible and planks suck.

Planking--ugh. Gear: Top is Charmer Long Sleeve by Skirt Sports, Capris by Under Armour, Socks by Swiftwick and Shoes by Merrell.

This whole obstacle race thing is way out of my comfort zone, but I'm going to try and probably fail miserably, and that's ok because then I'll know what to work on for the next one. Yep, already planning for the next!

*I am a Merrell Ambassador, Skirt Sports Ambassador, and Swiftwick Athlete.


What scary goals or events do you have this year? Share!!!