FitGirl: Take Summer Workouts To A New Level With Adventure Races
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Adventure runs include army-designed obstacle courses (creative commons)
Running a marathon or half marathon are common aspirations among college students. Don’t get me wrong running 26.2 miles is a respectable accomplishment, however, spending half you’re summer jogging is less than desirable.
There are other, more stimulating, objectives to train for that test not only your physical fitness but also willpower.
Adventure races range from 12-mile obstacle courses to 5K runs involving paint, foam and mud. Southern California is home to a few quite intense courses that will push you to your limits.
In Running Springs, California on July 7 and 8th, participants will run, swim, climb and crawl over a ten to twelve mile obstacle course. The course, designed by British Special Forces, raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Tough Mudder is not your typical fun mud run. The obstacles are intense; some even use electricity and ice water.
Central Coast Adventure Challenge
This adventure race takes place from dawn to dusk at Santa Margarita Lake on May 12th. Over the course of twelve hours participants will use maps and a compass to navigate over both land and water. The course includes six to eight miles of kayaking, 25 to 35 miles of mountain biking; 10 to 15 miles of trail running and rope challenges. Experience with adventure courses, navigation as well as being very in-shape are recommended.
The Gladiator Rock N Run is similar to Tough Mudder because it entails tough obstacles and a whole lot of mud. Except the Gladiator course runs for three to four miles instead of ten to twelve and the obstacles are not quite as ruthless. However, there is still an obstacle requiring you to race through flames and one that involves wadding in ice water. The race takes place in Irvine, California on April 28th.
The Foam Fest is for runners who want an easier race that won’t make them cry. The course involves foam, mud and obstacles but nothing as long or laborious as any of the above adventure races. The race takes place on May 26th in Temecula, California.
FitGirl is a weekly health and fitness column that comes out every Thursday. If you have any questions you want to see answered feel free to email me.
