Last year, Team Daily Struggle took on the challenge of Tough Mudder with next to no training. So, if you want to know the ins and outs of what to really expect from the world-famous obstacle course, have a read of our 7 things you need to know before you tackle Tough Mudder.
However; if you’re reading this the night before the race; I’ll bet your nerves are absolutely shot aren’t they? Whether you’ve trained for months, or decided last minute to give it a go, (let me guess, your mate convinced you to sign up after half a bottle of prosecco, didn’t they?) well don’t worry! If we can do it, so can you. But before you donn your favourite Lara Croft get-up tomorrow morning, here are some of the things you absolutely SHOULDN’T wear for Tough Mudder this year.
Crop Tops
Yeahhhh I know, you’ve seen hundreds of pictures of Insta Models in their crop tops and booty shorts at the finish line and you want to jump right on that bandwagon. I get it; you’re feeling good after months of training and you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do for the ‘gram!
But let’s think about this logically for a second; you’re scrambling over rubble, crawling up rusty pipes and leaping into murky water. Trust me, when it comes to the scratches you’re going to get; the limit does not exist. Take my advice and wear a t-shirt over the top to take the brunt of it, then just take it off at the finish line to reveal your abs (instead of a belly button full of mud.)
New Trainers
Beside the fact that new trainers rub like an absolute MF, here’s a reason you see a pile of abandoned trainers at the aftermath of every Tough Mudder – because they get absolutely wrecked. And I don’t mean “My Ma can fix them up with some bi-carb and a toothbrush” wrecked, I mean actually fucking ruined for good. Don’t waste your money.
Lashes
If you’re anything like me, you’re not going anywhere without your lashes on – let alone somewhere where you’re going to get papped while you’re hot, sweaty and (probably) crying. But, between plunging into ice-cold water, crawling through mud, and generally sweating your fabulous tits off; getting your lashes done just before you tackle Tough Mudder is a waste of time, money and individuals. Instead, schedule your infills for the day after so you can crack on without worrying about ruining your smize – or, if you’re a hardened strip-lash wearer, try your hand at some at-home weekend lashes, so if you lose a few you’re not going to look as baldy as if you lose the whole strip.
Clip-In Extensions
And finally, clip- in hair extensions. I bet you’re thinking, “why the fuck would anyone wear their clip-ins for Tough Mudder” – well girls, it’s a good question. But for some ridiculous reason, that’s exactly what I did. What can I say; a bouncy pony always looks better with a bit of volume – amirite? As you can imagine, the extensions were so caked in mud by the end that I had to just throw them away – but that was nothing compared to the weight of them after wading through mud, water and slime. I swear, I was carrying an extra two stone on my head – which is definitely not what you need if you’re tackling Tough Mudder, trust me!
Jen is our resident wellness and features editor here at The Daily Struggle. You will probably find her on the beach, painting her house or writing about magick and motherhood.