Q And A With Rise Up Challenge’s Cody Price – Prepping For Your Adventure Race!
Photo by Carlos Magno on Unsplash
Interview with Cody Price – Rise Up Challenge
Q) I am new to adventure racing, is this something I am going to be able to do?
A) Absolutely! Whether you are new to the sport, or to a fitness inspired lifestyle in general, you will be able to do it. Our courses and the obstacles laid out throughout them are designed to be tough and challenging, both from a physical and mental perspective. I’m not going to lie, there may be times when you’re on course and you ask yourself if you will be able to finish, or if it was a good idea to start this race in the first place. You may doubt yourself, but if you remember WHY you signed up and why you ventured past the starting line on to the course to take on this challenge, you will find the determination and motivation inside you to keep moving forward and finish. You can run a race or you can walk it. It doesn’t matter how you run a race, at the end of the day it all comes down to how you finish, not how fast.
Q) I would like to try adventure racing but where do I start?
A) Sign Up! Give yourself a tangible goal that is 3, 6 or 9 months from now and start working towards completing that goal. With the race and date on the horizon, you will be motivated to work towards it. Whether it is going for a walk or run, going to the gym, playing with your kids at the park or staying active in general; each step is a step forward in the right direction. You don’t have to start your journey already in tip-top shape, the journey is how you get there. Over time as you prepare you will notice yourself getting stronger, having more energy, and building self-confidence that accomplishing the goal is within reach.
Q) How can I be most effective with my training for Rise Up Challenge?
A) The simplest and easiest way I recommend people train for an event such as the Rise Up Challenge is to enjoy the outdoors. All the tools you need to get ready for an obstacle course race can be found in nature and within your city’s trails, river valley, parks and suburbs. These tools may include natural elements such as logs, rocks, water and varied terrain and hills. They could also include more man-made structures like stairs or playground equipment. After a few Google searches and YouTube videos it can be easy to learn how to workout outside and train for your first Rise Up Challenge or OCR event. OCR has a handful of basic moves you can focus on to train outside and prepare yourself for race day. These moves consist of lifting heavy objects, carrying the objects from point A to point B. Climbing on, under and over structures such as walls and cargo nets, grip strength for using your upper body and of course running on trails, through water and up and down hills.
Here’s an example of how you can use the outdoors as your training grounds. Take a fallen log or rock for example. These objects are great tools to build functional strength and endurance. They could be used for carrying up hills, or weighted hikes. They could become your new dumbbells for building strength in your back, arms, shoulders and legs.
Another example you may find outdoors are retaining walls or fences. It may seem silly at first but these are great tools for building your climbing abilities, calling on all types of functional strength in your legs, back, arms and hands.
One last piece of equipment you’re sure to find in any part of your neighbourhood or city is a Playground. These structures are great for all types of fitness and they’re a lot of FUN! The best part about playgrounds is that if you have young kids, they can play as you workout. Playgrounds are great spaces to work on tough obstacles like monkey bars, slippery walls (think running up a slide) and simply running through mud or sand.
When it’s all said and done, keeping these basic moves in mind will give you the ability to build your level of fitness and get ready for your first obstacle course race.
Q) What should I wear on event day?
A) I personally always wear shoes and clothes that I don’t mind throwing away afterwards if they get too dirty or wrecked as I run through the mud and over obstacles. Make sure you wear something that is comfortable when you’re dry and wet and can move freely in, at all different angles. Clothes that don’t retain water or act like a sponge when wet are also very advantageous. Depending on the type of person you are and how confident you are with staying hydrated, I would wear a camel-backpack or carry a water bottle. You never know when you will come across a water station, and it is important you can stay hydrated. The last thing you want to happen on a tough obstacle course is to run out of water.
Oh and remember, don’t take any valuables on course like earrings, wedding rings, car keys or cell phones.
Q) Any other tips on how I can make my run a success?
A) It’s simple, get outside, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine (even in the winter) and have fun! If you’re having fun, you won’t even notice how hard you’re working.