Saturday, October 26, 2013

Competing In The Best Obstacle Course Races

By Kelly Wood


Finding the best obstacle course races is quick and easy. Searching on line for local events will typically produce a number of choices. Those who are very competitive are often prepared to travel all over the country to take part in the best events. The really serious events have extremely challenging obstacles and usually a lot of mud.

This type of race is fun and varied. There are events all over the country on just about every weekend. Each course is unique has has been constructed with different obstacles and challenges. The overall distance will also vary with each race. Participants should look for something that is within their current level of fitness. Those who are new to the sport should choose a less challenging race to begin with.

Most races are advertised on line. The rules, entry fees, terms and conditions and type of obstacles should all be described in detail. A big feature of most races is mud and water. Thick mud is really difficult to negotiate and will slow down all but the very fittest athlete. It is also hard to duplicate such conditions in training and many people are simply not prepared for the physically draining effects of wading through mud.

The obstacles are often very creatively designed. Climbing walls are very popular and can vary in height and angle of slope. Most courses have a system of penalties for missing or failed to negotiate an obstacle. In some races the competitor can choose to miss a difficult section and take a penalty. In others they are given one try and a failure penalty such as complete ten push ups. This helps to reduce the congestion at the obstacles and keep the race moving along.

Climbing walls are usually part of a race. These can range in height and difficulty. Some races only allow the competitors one try and if they fail to complete the hazard they are given penalty points. Other races allow the novice runner to miss the most difficult obstacles and instead take penalties. Both of these options help to keep the race moving along at a good pace and also mean that the more experienced runners are not delayed.

By the end of the course most people are really feeling the strain. They have waded through deep mud and water, climbed numerous obstacles and scaled rope walls. Finding that last bit of energy is always the most difficult. Some organizers will put a particularly challenging test at the end of the course, just too see who is ready to push themselves that bit harder.

Strength alone is not the single most important factor. Agility is also crucial, especially on the low crawl sections. Being smaller and more agile will really pay off at this point. Many women are now also getting into the sport and finding that they can finish in a very respectable time. In fact this is a great couples sport for those who enjoy staying fit and finding a challenge.

One of the easiest ways to find the best obstacle course races is to check on line. Many competitors go to the site and leave their comments. This gives newcomers an opportunity to judge the challenge level of the race and see if it right for them.




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