Doing Big & Scary: The Strongman Run

This time next week I will probably be waking up with a hangover. Next Saturday I’m representing Team GB in The Strongman Run in Germany.

Having competed in Trans Britain (six marathons in six days), Ironman France, Tough Guy (amongst others...) and now training for The Wall the selectors (a PR company) were looking for a team to take on this EPIC challenge. For me personally, this is a fantastic opportunity. Firstly, I love to do this type of race and the Fisherman’s Friend Strongman Run is clearly one of the best. Secondly, hanging out with other like minded people who love their fitness and love to take on a big and scary challenge I find inspiring. And thirdly, who doesn’t like to be treated like a VIP and flown out to Germany with a couple of nights accommodation to do something you love with the promise of a HUGE post-race party...

The race itself is MASSIVE. It has kind of a a cult following in Germany. I think there are about 12,000 entrants. It is an off-road adventure race. If you take a look at the website they do a bit of a bio on each of the obstacles. You can tell by the tongue in cheek descriptions this is a race not to be sniffed at... Check out just three of the obstacles... Obstacle 8: Panic Pool

The ultimate desire of most StrongmanRunners – the „real“ water obstacle! Here you have to swim because with 2 meter depth and 40 meter length there is no other possibility to cross. For nonswimmers we have a pussylane, of course, but be sure – you won’t have any advantage by using it! Hardfacts: Km 8,9 swimming pool Depth: 2 meters Length: 40 meters Width: 15 meters Gear: digger Obstacle 10: Tension Killer

It’s better you’re dry again when approaching this obstacle cause it’s gonna be electric – the wires hanging down of this construction are loaded with 12 volt of power and you have to pass them! For StrongmanRunners with cardiac pacemakers we have an alternative track. Hardfacts: Km 9.6 Truss construction Wires loaded with 12 volt electricity Obstacle 13: Mud Mass

Same length, width and depth as the obstacle before but the major difference is the ingredient - 300 cubic meters of pure mud! Hardfacts: km 10.2 Length: 30 meters Width: 10 meters Depth: 1 meter Tools: garden hose, shovel Take a look at the race map for the rest -http://www.fishermansfriend.de/strongmanrun_eng/trackmap2012/ Stay tuned on Facebook and Twitter and I’ll keep you updated...