The Online Reflector

Senior social work major Joshua Rundquist and senior chemistry major Daniel Batteiger have qualified for World’s Toughest Mudder, the championship race of the popular Tough Mudder races throughout North America, Australia and Europe. This year the race is Nov. 17 in Englishtown, N.J.

“A regular Tough Mudder is a half-marathon, about 12 miles, with 23 obstacles every half mile,” Batteiger said.

The World’s Toughest Mudder, however, is a shorter distance at eight miles, with 40 obstacles, including crawling under an electric fence, running up an oil-covered half-pipe and climbing nine-foot walls.  The winner is determined by who can do the most laps in 24 hours.

To prepare for World’s Toughest Mudder, Rundquist focuses on muscular exercises and increasing body weight.

“Right now, I work on my upper body—push-ups, monkey bars, pull-ups and then stair laps and running,” he said. “I do that circuit three times a week. But really my focus is on doing something active every day.”

However, he also focuses on eating things that are actually nourishing.

“I also cut out all junk food and alter my sleep schedule a week in advance. So by the time Toughest Mudder comes, I will be adjusted to staying up late at night for the race,” Rundquist said.

Batteiger said that he lifts twice a week doing body weight circuits for an hour and a half, which helps build muscular strength as well as cardiovascular endurance. On weekends, his workout schedule involves going to the University of Indianapolis  football field and doing tire flips, army crawls and stadium runs. He also has been watching his diet.

“I have been cutting out soda, fast food and the food at the Street’s in favor of the cafeteria, so I can get a more balanced meal,” Batteiger said.

The big differences between regular Tough Mudders and the championship are qualifications and cost. Anyone can do the regular obstacle course provided, he or she pays the $120 registration fee. But the Toughest Mudder is available to the top five percent of finishers and about 2,000 people qualify. Batteiger estimated 800 people had participated in 2011’s Toughest Mudder.

“Josh and I saved up the $500 for our registration fee and are going to carpool to New Jersey that weekend,” he said.

Rundquist said there are other expenses of the race the two had to consider.

“Dan and I went out and bought wet suits,” he said. “Since a lot of the obstacles are through water, and this is November in New Jersey we are talking about, there is a concern about frostbite or hypothermia, which is the last thing we need during the race.”

Tough Mudder and World’s Toughest Mudder help to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps returning veterans by providing combat stress recovery programs, adaptive sports programs, benefits counseling and employment services. So far, $3 million has been raised for the charity.

“The race is a challenge, but it is also motivating,” Batteiger said. “I am a certified personal trainer, so doing Toughest Mudder gives me reason to keep striving for better and encourages those I train.”

Rundquist is equally enthusiastic about the race.

“It is seeing how far you can go, pushing yourself to the limit, and the camaraderie of other participants there,” he said. “I am incredibly excited to go. I cannot wait to do this.”