My run - Getting out in the mud! - my new must have advise is get trailshoes

So Tuesday afternoon, I rig my running gear currently being double skin socks, skins compression tights, basic running shorts and a wicker t-shirt.

Now the important new found friends of mine - invo 8 roclite 315

After a ankle twist / sprain in December after wearing normal running trainers on a seriously muddy trail run and being out of action for 6 weeks and still suffering, I plunged in and bought these.

They drain water well, they are light and they chew mud and hold me steady, winner, however I find them particular hard on the foot (and my bad ankle) when on hard surfaces, but don't hold me to that it may be because of my ankle I feel it more.

Anyway off I go -

Setting off onto the public footpaths of the local golf course, this was epic! The mud was wet and upto my ankles, with stream banks bursting at every corner flooding my route.... Flooding my route?

No creating a more fun and suitable route, wading through with freezing water to my thighs folloŵed by more mud.

I've only followed others near this route and got a little lost but that was no problem, I kept the tempo up as much a I could and backtracked the route to more similar surroundings.

I ended my run with a dip upto my waist in the man made lake shown to me by Gavin, this is a test in it self to keep running the water is freezing, my legs and feet were going numb and took me a good minute to get running again afte getting out.

A quick retreat home and I finisnhed my run with 50 press ups, 50 full sit ups, 50 crunches, 1 minute mountain climbers and 30 lunges with a 26kg water barrel on my shoulders.

A great run, slow but good and my trainers are proving to be a good buy, my ankle is getting stronger and I have 6 weeks before my next race.

Obstacle Course race training = Mud - train in mud not just pavement

Train in mud

- If you going to tackle a obstacle course then they will contain a hell of a lot of mud and if I'm wrong then training in mud will improve your normal running so win win.

After a ankle injury in December 2013, I ventured out on my weak ankle for a little run to test out my new trail trainer and of course my ankle.

I knew I needed mud so I ventured down a right of way footpath near a golf course and I found mud alright.

This was just above ankle at points and perfect to stride through, and nice mix of large puddles and mud pits as I wadded through.

At this point I would suggest running through the mud, crawl trough in and if the land allows climb it, then continue running.

Acclimatize yourself with running in wet, no sorry sodden trainers and socks, with the added feature of heat sucking mud.

Puddles are a good point to lose as much mud as possible and haveing a little splash is not just for kids, I do it.

Although my fiancé refers to me as a kid far to often!!!!

If your new to running in mud, your normal marathon trainer or 10k sprint trainer will not cut the mark and I would suggest getting advise on a good multi trail / running trainer.

That's it on the mud front for now, my safety advice would be:-

Keep close to home

Tell people where you will be

Take a mobile phone (keep in plastic bag)

Take a torch

Partner up if you can

Be safe and alway smile

For more information on obstacle training or obstacle events visit

www.sussexbodyblast.co.uk