I hate tiny dark spaces. This is a well-known fact, and I have written about it many times in previous blog posts. I am getting anxious just writing about this obstacle, so no funny starting paragraph to introduce this obstacle this time. Sorry guys! You’re on your own there!
Obstacle: Boa Constrictor
Objective: Crawl through tight tubes, downwards for 10 metres, out into the muddy water, making sure not to lift your head too high as to not catch the barbwire, and then crawl back up a tube for another 10 metres to freedom.
Difficulty: Physical - 4/10 | Mental - 7/10
Physically this is another easy obstacle. Commando crawling through tight spaces doesn’t take much energy out of you. And those with no fears of tight spaces will find the mental aspect of this obstacle quite easy as well.
The only real problem for people is if you are fearful of water or enclosed spaces, as this has both. Just like Trench Warfare, just take it slow. Big deep breathes before entering the tubes, and you will be fine. The tubes are really only 10 metres or so long, and you can see right through them in the daylight.
Objective: Crawl through tight tubes, downwards for 10 metres, out into the muddy water, making sure not to lift your head too high as to not catch the barbwire, and then crawl back up a tube for another 10 metres to freedom.
Difficulty: Physical - 4/10 | Mental - 7/10
Physically this is another easy obstacle. Commando crawling through tight spaces doesn’t take much energy out of you. And those with no fears of tight spaces will find the mental aspect of this obstacle quite easy as well.
The only real problem for people is if you are fearful of water or enclosed spaces, as this has both. Just like Trench Warfare, just take it slow. Big deep breathes before entering the tubes, and you will be fine. The tubes are really only 10 metres or so long, and you can see right through them in the daylight.
How to Complete: This is a relatively simple task. Crawl through some tubes, down into the water, then back up through the next tube to freedom, and your next obstacle. These tubes are big enough for most people to be able to squeeze through, so getting stuck isn't a problem here – although it is a mental problem. Those of us that have claustrophobia will hate this obstacle with a passion.
There isn't enough room for a running dive into the first tube, so don’t even try. That is a sure way to break your shoulder or something bad like that. Just climb in head first, and push yourself with your arms down the first tube. This tube is on a downward slant, so is quite easy to crawl through. Once you come out the end of the tube, you will find yourself in a foot or two of muddy water, with barbwire over your head most likely – so that you cant stand up. Commando crawl through the mud and water to the next upward slanted tube. Sometimes this second upward tube has a rope inside to pull yourself up, but other times it may not. I have found personally that only half the times I've run Tough Mudder there has been a rope to help in this obstacle, so don’t rely on there being a rope to complete this obstacle! Crawl or pull yourself upwards towards the light and to your freedom!
Training: Commando crawls will become your friend while training for this obstacle. While you are doing your hill sprints, start to throw in some commando crawls up and down the hill, getting ready for the tubes up and down the obstacle.
Also, planks can and will help you a lot with this challenge. During your training, hold a plank as long as you can. Rest for 30 seconds and then hold again for as long as possible. Continue this for a few more reps, and you will be unstoppable in the Boa Constrictor obstacle!
Our take: One of the worst obstacles ever. Who ever invented claustrophobia should be shot. This and Trench Warfare are absolutely killers for myself. Still, the end of the tunnel is always visible (not blacked out like in Trench Warfare), so that is a little comforting.
I would still prefer to do 3 Arctic Enemas per Tough Mudder lap instead of doing this obstacle though ...
There isn't enough room for a running dive into the first tube, so don’t even try. That is a sure way to break your shoulder or something bad like that. Just climb in head first, and push yourself with your arms down the first tube. This tube is on a downward slant, so is quite easy to crawl through. Once you come out the end of the tube, you will find yourself in a foot or two of muddy water, with barbwire over your head most likely – so that you cant stand up. Commando crawl through the mud and water to the next upward slanted tube. Sometimes this second upward tube has a rope inside to pull yourself up, but other times it may not. I have found personally that only half the times I've run Tough Mudder there has been a rope to help in this obstacle, so don’t rely on there being a rope to complete this obstacle! Crawl or pull yourself upwards towards the light and to your freedom!
Training: Commando crawls will become your friend while training for this obstacle. While you are doing your hill sprints, start to throw in some commando crawls up and down the hill, getting ready for the tubes up and down the obstacle.
Also, planks can and will help you a lot with this challenge. During your training, hold a plank as long as you can. Rest for 30 seconds and then hold again for as long as possible. Continue this for a few more reps, and you will be unstoppable in the Boa Constrictor obstacle!
Our take: One of the worst obstacles ever. Who ever invented claustrophobia should be shot. This and Trench Warfare are absolutely killers for myself. Still, the end of the tunnel is always visible (not blacked out like in Trench Warfare), so that is a little comforting.
I would still prefer to do 3 Arctic Enemas per Tough Mudder lap instead of doing this obstacle though ...
Do you have claustrophobia? Have you freaked out on this obstacle, or have you even bypassed it before? Hit us up with your Boa Constrictor stories! We would love to hear them!