Extreme Sports Athletes

What happens when you combine a sports running event with a little bit of military boot camp? You get yourself a mud run!

by Bobbie Grennier 

Like extreme sports? Looking for a new sports event in your community? Why not organize one?

What happens when you combine a sports running event with a little bit of military boot camp? You get yourself a mud run!

Mud runs are to running events what off-road biking is to cycling. Mud runs are the new craze for thrill seeking runners looking for that extra challenge.

In mud runs, athletes push themselves to not only meet the endurance needed to run the distance, but they must be able to conquer hurdles, walls, man-made swamps that require the participants to get down their bellies and crawl through obstacles.

A visual crowd pleaser, all participants are guaranteed they’re going to get really dirty.

Mud runs can get a little dangerous too, with all the slip and slide action. So, if you’re going to host this type of event make sure your insurance premiums are paid up and that your participants sign a waiver.

Most mud runs include running on back-woods trails, running up and down hills, getting through water obstacles, perhaps crawling through a tunnel or two, having to scale at least one tall wall, a good size mud pit and an official t-shirt to mark the day.

Many mud runs will allow you participate as an individual or as a team. If you choose to go it as a team, you’ll be required to make sure every member of your team cross the finish line together. It’s a great event for doing a team building experience.

This event is perfect for athletes who want to break the traditional molds and try a little taste of extreme sports. Nothing says extreme like a giant mud pit filled with barriers that have to be conquered.

Adjusting to the higher altitudes is different for everyone. The best way to find out how your body will react is to give yourself a personal experience.If you don’t have the personal experience in higher altitudes, then you should take extra precautions. If you do not encounter any problems then you can try a shorter, more intense adjustment process and see how you handle it. Make sure you have others with you who are experienced in your extreme sport … the one time you don’t want to go to extremes, is by yourself.

Here’s are the basic rules on adjusting to higher altitudes:

- Always start at lower altitudes walking steadily and slowly from lower altitudes to higher altitudes. Plan on the adjustment process taking a few days.

- Plan on working on your adjustment process for sleeping in altitude. While practicing and acclimating, keep your campsites within 1500 feet (500 meters) of each other when camping for the night, but during the day you can rest at higher altitudes.

- If you drive or fly directly to altitudes higher than 10,000 feet (3000 meters), give yourself 24 hours to rest before you start your adjustment process. Also, drink plenty of water everyday.

Here are some important facts to remember in dealing with higher altitudes:

- The effects of higher altitudes can be felt as low as 6000 feet (2000 meters) above sea level, and for some people that number can be even lower.

- Everyone’s body reacts differently in higher altitude conditions to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level.

- There is no definite relationship between your body’s overall physical fitness and your tolerance to high altitudes. As an extreme sports athlete, if you to push harder and over exert your body, you’re more likely to experience AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

About the Author: Bobbie Grennier is a freelance writer and master herbalist. She teaches herbalism at http://www.Herbal-College.com. She publishes http://www.Sport-Extremes.com blog. Visit her web sites http://www.Natural-Healers.com and http://www.Master-Herbalist.com for more herbalist healer information.