Hiking is an excellent form of training and conditioning for your next OCR event, whether it is a Spartan race, Tough Mudder or even a local event. This outdoor activity offers so many benefits for your mental and physical health.
Outdoor activities including hiking are excellent for building mental grit
When doing an outdoor activity like hiking, cycling, or running, you will always need to make your way back to your starting position whether it is back home or back to your car. Let us say you have gone on a 15-mile hike, and you are fifteen miles away from the starting point. Now you need to do another fifteen miles just to get back to where you started. Although this seems a curse, it is a fantastic way to build up your mental and physical endurance. If you were in the gym and using a treadmill or static bike, you can finish your workout at any time. When you are outdoors, you have no choice but to make your way back home. Hiking for long distances, over a gradual period, is a terrific way of strengthening your body and your mind.
If you are doing one of the more extreme endurance races, such as Europe’s Toughest Mudder or World’s Toughest Mudder, you are going to be on your feet for several hours. Equally, getting used to being on your feet for extended periods will help you on race day. You are only as good as your training.
Hiking is a memorable adventure
When hiking on trails you never know what to expect. The beauty of being outdoors and in nature, there is so many different things that can happen. For instance, if you are fortunate enough to live near the countryside, you may see deer, squirrels, hawks and even hear a woodpecker. When you start going on a trail, bridleway, or public footpath, you will pass-through woodland, rivers, fields with sheep or cattle and areas with varied terrain.
Experience the diverse types of terrain
Just like on an obstacle course, you will encounter various levels of terrain. Ranging from ongoing hills to mud tracks, rocky paths and more. A well-conditioned OCR Racer will have trained outdoors to be prepared for race day. It is almost certain that on event day, you will encounter plenty of hills. If you include hiking regularly into your fitness routine, overcoming rugged terrain will not be so daunting.
You will find opportunities for mountain biking routes
OCR Racer can train for an OCR event by doing a variety of physical activities. Mountain biking is an excellent form of cardio and a great alternative to running. As cycling is a low impact sport, this can reduce any impact or pressure on the joints.
Hiking can be as enjoyable as you make it
Just like any physical activity you can go at your own pace. Many people take part in hiking to get fresh air, explore unfamiliar places, keep fit, clear the mind, make memories, see wildlife, be part of a group activity and so many other reasons. Hiking can be as relaxing as you like. Some people even make a day of it. If you have nice sunny weather, you can take sandwiches and have a picnic. If the weather is not so sunny, you should also take sandwiches and a hot flask of coffee with you.
James King
James King has competed in multiple OCR events including Europe's Toughest Mudder from 2019 to 2022, multiple mud events, 10k runs and currently for his first marathon. James includes useful tips and experiences about OCR on his blog mudrunlifestyle.com.
