The beauty of obstacle course racing is that it gets you out of your everyday routine and lets you experience life. If you are stuck in a cubicle or trapped in an urban jungle—congested traffic and crowds are your daily obstacles. Running an obstacle course race gives you the chance to get back to nature—to roll in it, get dirty, and tap into your primal self so you can experience life—in the raw, unedited and real. Margaret Schlachter, the creator of Dirt In Your Skirt blog, is one the foremost competitors in obstacle course racing today. She put together this simple guide to make your obstacle race experience everything it's supposed to be—a test of your true self. She describes first-hand her personal training methods in learning to climb a rope, scale a wall, flip a tire, throw a spear, and carry a sandbag. More importantly, she provides guidance on how to get yourself mentally and spiritually prepared for the big day—and how to dig deep within yourself during a race to find the last ounce of strength to carry you across that finish line. Every weekend thousands of competitors run obstacle races all over the world. Winning or losing is secondary. More important for them is the ability to meet the physical and mental challenges and achieve personal success by completing the race. Obstacle Race Training is an invaluable resource that enables each and every competitor to experience the maximum level of success that they are capable of.

NO GUTS, NO GLORY Satisfy your hunger for adventure, quench that thirst for competition and prepare for the most fun you’ve ever had in the mud. Ultimate Obstacle Race Training introduces you to these exhilarating events with detailed descriptions of races for every level. Packed with easy-to-follow workouts and step-by-step instructions, this book will help you develop the speed and strength you’ll need to crush any obstacle. Using breakthrough obstacle-specific exercises and training techniques, you’ll be ready to dominate every course and celebrate as you cross the finish line. • Leap over fiery logs through red-hot flames • Crawl face-down under razor-sharp barbed wire • Scramble 100 yards up a slick mud slope • Scale a harrowing 25-foot cargo net • Endure shocking cold in a frigid, full-body ice-bath • Plummet out of control down a 50-foot water slide • Swing high in the air across a maze of hanging bars

DIVThis book from Matt B. Davis offers a down-and-dirty overview of the most popular races before tackling the most important concerns for any racer: preparation and training. /div

Obstacle racing is a grueling physical challenge based on elements found in some of the world’s elite special forces training, where competitors test their mettle against obstacles, terrain, and conditioning similar to military boot camps, and this book provides an in-depth look at the training, gear, preparation, tactics, and logistics for making it through. After a brief overview of obstacle racing’s roots and development, the guide provides detailed information on the conditioning techniques required to prepare participants for the unusual demands of these courses. The tactics section teaches specific techniques for climbing mud-covered ropes, fording swamps, mounting walls, executing an effective belly-crawl, and numerous other tips for the wild chaos that might ensue. A section on logistics gives insider tips concerning gear, lodging, building a team, and the ever-present problem of cleaning up. Whether racing for fun or in it to win it, Mud, Guts & Glory is the one-stop guide for enduring the race from start to finish.

An introduction to Spartan Races (races meant to challenge, to push, to intimidate, to test) from one of the "founding few" and creators, Joe De Sena.

A complete guide to training for and competing in obstacle course races: workouts, nutrition, equipment, techniques, and mental preparation.

A must read for anyone with a curious mind for obstacle racing, preparing for their first ever event, or for extreme mud-loving, obstacle racing addicts. Published by Central YMCA, the UK's leading activity for health charity, and written by Jacob Salt-Berrymen, an experienced health and fitness instructor, this essential guide will ensure you are fully prepared for the obstacle race that lies ahead of you, complete with its crawling, jumping, dodging and electrifying obstacles! With something for everyone, Jacob's advice covers everything you need to know to get you from your sofa to the finishing line, including what types of races to choose, what demands they will place on your fitness and your body, what obstacles you are likely to face and, vitally, how you can train for them. Central YMCA Guides: Trustworthy advice from those in the know.