Joining me for the New Zealand leg of the Tough Mudder Tour 2014, is my long time friend Laura Jolly. Laura is a journalist for the Blackburn Leader Community Newspaper, and an ex-sports journalist. Having already completed one Tough Mudder before, she will be entering the Legionnaire ranks of Mudder this weekend. Her sporting resume includes
2012 Melbourne mini Marathon 10km
2012 Stampede Obstacle Course
2013 Run for the Kids 15km
2013 Tough Mudder Melbourne Spring
2013 Melbourne Half Marathon 21km
2013 City 2 Sea 14km
2013 Around the Bay 135km.
2014 Run for the Kids 15km
The Mothers day classic and a bunch of other >10km fun runs.
Learn more about Laura below.
2012 Melbourne mini Marathon 10km
2012 Stampede Obstacle Course
2013 Run for the Kids 15km
2013 Tough Mudder Melbourne Spring
2013 Melbourne Half Marathon 21km
2013 City 2 Sea 14km
2013 Around the Bay 135km.
2014 Run for the Kids 15km
The Mothers day classic and a bunch of other >10km fun runs.
Learn more about Laura below.
Athlete profile Q&A
What is your involvement in sport?
I play netball, dodgeball and touch footy. I also cycle to/from work, as well as the usual running/gym.
What are your athletic achievements?
The top three would be finishing my first half marathon last year, cycling 135km from Geelong to Melbourne in last year’s Around the Bay, and completing my first Tough Mudder.
Your Obstacle Course racing goals?
Overcoming my paralysing fear of jumping off high things and actually doing Walk the Plank. I can’t even jump off the 1m diving board at the pool, so it’s a challenge.
Who is your fitness inspiration?
Anyone who gets off the couch and gives it a red-hot go, really.
What is your proudest moment in sport?
Finishing a half marathon and winning multiple dodgeball premierships.
What is your training schedule leading up to Mudder?
This time it’s been less than ideal. I just returned from a month-long camping trip in Africa, so I’ve been trying to make up for lost time over the last three weeks with plenty of running and extra strength sessions. I’m somewhat dubious about my ability to late-minute cram for fitness the way I’d cram for an exam, but I did manage a 15km PB in the Run for the Kids with very little preparation last weekend, so hopefully that’s a good sign!
What are your pre and post Mudder foods?
Last time, I had some pasta and a beer. Unfortunately, it was a Pure Blonde, so it lacked the vital carbs I needed for Mudder (kidding).
This time, I’ll be eating plenty of carbs the night before along with drinking loads of water, and I’ll stick to my usual breakfast of jam on white toast, black coffee, a Berocca and a banana (thanks, Steve Monaghetti). I’ll probably down an energy bar or gel at the racecourse just before we get going, as well.
After Sunday, I’ll be drinking beer. Through a straw, because I won’t be able to lift my arms. And I’ll be eating something greasy and delicious (It’s not ideal, sure, but it’s what’s going to happen).
When not playing sport, what do you do?
Watch sport, cheer on the mighty Collingwood Magpies, and drink beer.
Advice to someone at their first Mudder?
Have fun! And you might think you’ve experienced cold water before, but my god, nothing compares to the Arctic Enema!
Any last words?
Wish me luck, because I will need it.
What is your involvement in sport?
I play netball, dodgeball and touch footy. I also cycle to/from work, as well as the usual running/gym.
What are your athletic achievements?
The top three would be finishing my first half marathon last year, cycling 135km from Geelong to Melbourne in last year’s Around the Bay, and completing my first Tough Mudder.
Your Obstacle Course racing goals?
Overcoming my paralysing fear of jumping off high things and actually doing Walk the Plank. I can’t even jump off the 1m diving board at the pool, so it’s a challenge.
Who is your fitness inspiration?
Anyone who gets off the couch and gives it a red-hot go, really.
What is your proudest moment in sport?
Finishing a half marathon and winning multiple dodgeball premierships.
What is your training schedule leading up to Mudder?
This time it’s been less than ideal. I just returned from a month-long camping trip in Africa, so I’ve been trying to make up for lost time over the last three weeks with plenty of running and extra strength sessions. I’m somewhat dubious about my ability to late-minute cram for fitness the way I’d cram for an exam, but I did manage a 15km PB in the Run for the Kids with very little preparation last weekend, so hopefully that’s a good sign!
What are your pre and post Mudder foods?
Last time, I had some pasta and a beer. Unfortunately, it was a Pure Blonde, so it lacked the vital carbs I needed for Mudder (kidding).
This time, I’ll be eating plenty of carbs the night before along with drinking loads of water, and I’ll stick to my usual breakfast of jam on white toast, black coffee, a Berocca and a banana (thanks, Steve Monaghetti). I’ll probably down an energy bar or gel at the racecourse just before we get going, as well.
After Sunday, I’ll be drinking beer. Through a straw, because I won’t be able to lift my arms. And I’ll be eating something greasy and delicious (It’s not ideal, sure, but it’s what’s going to happen).
When not playing sport, what do you do?
Watch sport, cheer on the mighty Collingwood Magpies, and drink beer.
Advice to someone at their first Mudder?
Have fun! And you might think you’ve experienced cold water before, but my god, nothing compares to the Arctic Enema!
Any last words?
Wish me luck, because I will need it.
Follow Laura on Twitter, and myself on the New Zealand leg of the Tough Mudder Tour 2014 this weekend. We will be updating Facebook, Twitter and the TMTour2014 Blog constantly from now all the way through to mid next week with photos and snippets while on course.
Not long till TMTour2014 runs number 3 and 4 are complete!
#TMTour2014
Not long till TMTour2014 runs number 3 and 4 are complete!
#TMTour2014