If you like mud, then Beast in the East is for you. It’s 10k of hardcore trail, grassland and motorcross terrain riddled with ups and downs, obstacles and of course, mud. Make sure you read our top tips before the day to ensure your race is as good as possible!
So you thought it would be a good idea to enter ‘Beast in the East‘… Well congratulations it was.
Beast in the east is a 10k obstacle course over a variety of terrains, hills, water and man made obstacles. If you haven’t entered yet its not too late as they accept entries right up to the last minute. The next one is Saturday 3rd May.
So now you’re in… What do you need to know to help you get the most out of the experience? Here is our Top Ten Beast in the East Obstacle Course Tips:
1. Don’t wear your favourite £100+ pair of trainers (probably the best piece of advice)
They will get ruined. Either wear an old pair or buy a very cheap pair. The terrain changes constantly and your feet will be soaking wet from very early on, so all your high tech gizmos and cushioning isn’t going to help you much.
2. Clothing – wear tight fitting compression clothing if you own it and only wear a single layer.
Once you are soaking wet and caked in mud the last thing you want is additional layers of clothing or baggy clothing weighing you down for the rest of the course.
3. Fuel yourself properly
Just with any exercise event the prep starts early. Eat a healthy nutritional meal the night before. Then a very light meal the morning of the event. No need to carbo-load after all this isn’t a 26 mile marathon.
4. Pace yourself
This is a two lap event, don’t go out too quickly on lap 1. It’s easier to make time up on lap 2 if necessary.
5. Don’t underestimate the course
Just because you are used to running 10k or further don’t think it will be a doddle. Hill climbs are energy sapping, parts of the course are sand and you’ll be wet. It’s very different to your Sunday jog around the park.
6. Use the right muscles
For every obstacle that you come across ask yourself this question… What is the biggest muscle group I can use? Your legs are the largest, followed by your back, chest then arms. If you need to climb a rope don’t just rely on your arm strength, get your legs involved. Life will become much easier this way.
7. Recover sensibly
Believe it or not the running part of the course is where you are going to be able to recover from the exertions of the obstacles. Run at a pace that allows you to breathe deeply and rhythmically to the next obstacle.
8. Run your own race
Don’t get suckered into running quicker than you can or want to. The chances are that the random person you are trying to keep up with has misjudged their pace so you want to have enough in the tank to smile as you overtake them when you see your chance.
9. Be vigilant
Others around you might have discovered a more efficient way of completing an obstacle. Watch their technique and use it for yourself. Anywhere you can save some energy will be extremely valuable to you.
10. Have fun
Don’t forget why you entered the event. Some want to push themselves, others will be doing it for charity, but most will be out there having fun. Whatever your reasons for entering, make sure you come away from the event having had some fun.
And lastly…
Good luck to everyone who enters. Make sure you keep warm at the end and don’t forget to get out of your wet clothes as soon as you can.
Tag your photos of your race with #hellofitty and post them on our Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram – we’d love to know how you got on.
Leave a Reply