MudRunFun Magazine Oct. 2013 | Page 32

The Mud Run Blueprint for Fitness by Roger Smith, PhD http://www.newbluefit.com Mud runners experience more cuts, scrapes, muscle cramps and pulls than your average fitness enthusiast. In the gym, the sharp edges have been polished off. But when the great outdoors, wooden walls, and metal monkey bars are your gym, you will quickly get a few scuff marks on your frame. A good daily vitamin is essential to insure that your body is prepared to fight any infections that could come from these minor injuries, as well as providing the nutrients that will help you heal and rebuild from an injury. You will walk off of the obstacle course with a scrape from a tree, a cut from a wooden wall, a poke from a metal brace, or a splinter from a fiberglass boat hull. These are not something to be afraid of. The human body is made to recover and heal itself naturally. Your daily vitamins and minerals will insure that you heal more completely and faster than you would otherwise. Supplements will also sharpen your mental focus when training and competing. On a mud run course you always need to be looking beyond the immediate obstacle to the landing spot on the other side, insuring that you are ready to dismount gracefully without injury. A good vitamin mix in your brain will help you maintain this focus longer and avoid mistakes that lead to injuries.