As you probably already know, obstacle course running has absolutely exploded in popularity over the past few years. Over 500 mud runs will be put on at venues throughout the country this year and millions of people will participate in these events. Why? Because they are a fun and exciting way to pursue total body fitness. You may already be an avid mud runner, or you may be just starting out. Either way, you may be wondering exactly how to train for a 5k Mud Run or if you even have to train at all.

Mud runs involve running (or if you prefer, walking) a certain distance, while also doing obstacles that are spaced out across the course. So the goal of your training should be to develop the endurance to run the distance of the course and the strength to help you complete any obstacle you come across.

To create a successful workout schedule, you should combine moderate intensity aerobic exercise (running) with high intensity anaerobic exercise (weight lifting). You can alternate each type of workout by the day, or you can put the two together for a very powerful and efficient workout, which is usually known as circuit-training. For example one circuit might consist of the following exercises:

*Two Minute Run

Chest Press

*Run For Two Minutes

*A set of Pull-Ups or modified pull-ups

*Stair-Climbing for Two Minutes

*Lunges

*Two Minutes of Jogging

Once you finish these exercises you would relax for a minute or two and then move to the next circuit which could either be the same set of exercises or a totally separate set of exercises.

Whether you choose to combine strength training and endurance into one workout or whether you choose to separate them into distinct workouts, it is important to approach your strength-training with intensity. Your body will never be encouraged to build your muscles unless it thinks that the workout was a little bit more than you could handle comfortably. When your body experiences a workout like this, then it will go to work building up muscle so that the next time you do a workout like that, it will be easier.

How long do you train for a 5k mud run? That will depend primarily on your goals and your current fitness level. If you haven't been running at all, try to begin your training at least two months before the event. No matter what fitness level you are at, the more you train, the better you will do during a race and the more benefits you will reap from participating in an event like this in the first place.