If you love to run, you probably have taken part in your share of marathons or half-marathons. But if the task of running 26.2 miles now seems a bit pedestrian for you, it might be time to consider taking on a more strenuous endeavor. Here are some options to consider if you want to take your life up a notch.
The Tough Mudder is an excellent option for those wanting a real challenge. This event includes a run of anywhere from 10 to 12 miles on uneven terrain as well as a variety of punishing obstacles. The obstacles are not for the faint of heart and include monikers such as Trench Warfare, Gauntlet and Fire Walker. Even the more whimsically named Funky Monkey is ominous. It’s just a set of monkey bars, after all. This sounds easy enough except the bars are often greased with butter and mud and are hung over an icy cold pond. At any rate, events are held all over the world and teams are not just competing but also raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Adventure runs are another popular option for marathon runners who want to be a bit more extreme. These are difficult races on a variety of terrain, and the goal is not just to test your endurance but also to enjoy some pretty amazing scenery. You can find adventure runs in your own back door as many cities host these types of runs. If you want to really go all the way, consider an international adventure run.
Every year in China, runners come from all over the world to take part in the Great Wall Marathon. This run is difficult because it includes many steep areas as well as more than 5,000 stone steps. Another idea would be to test your skills at the Great Tibetan Marathon, which includes picturesque scenery and tough terrain at high altitudes. There is also an amazing 14-day South American adventure in Peru that includes going to Machu Picchu.
If the big day arrives, but you are suffering from a particularly sore muscle, it might not be necessary to cancel. If your pain is not a serious type of injury, then you can alleviate the discomfort by using a physiological hybrid shape. One company that has created a hybrid shape is RapidForce, and their shapes not only help reduce your muscle pain, they allow you to move more freely. When muscles ache, our freedom of movement is often compromised and using a shape can make exercise much easier.
The shapes cover the sore area and then reach out to gain strength from muscle groups that are nearby. This allows you to move comfortably and continue exercising but still protects your muscle and sends healing oxygen directly to the sore area. Many athletes have reported that they healed faster using the physiological hybrid shape and also were able to continue strenuous exercise while wearing a shape. There are shapes for the knees, elbows, shoulders and both the lower back and the upper back.
Kamryn Mattson loves writing about health topics. For more information about muscle support remedy products, or to find a muscle soreness remedy product, please check out the RapidForce site now.
