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Hydration: The Pre-Mud Ritual You’re Probably Underestimating

Author: Alka Power June 17, 2025

You can tell a lot about a Mudder by how they prep.

Some roll up still smelling like last night’s kebab. Others have spreadsheets, spreadsheets for their spreadsheets, and three different types of socks. But no matter where you fall on the chaos-to-control spectrum, there’s one thing every seasoned Mudder knows: hydration can make or break your day in the mud.

This isn’t your average Sunday jog. This is high-output, high-sweat, borderline ridiculous punishment — and your body needs the right fuel to survive it (and still be able to walk the next day).

So before you throw yourself into the madness, let’s talk about the quiet MVP of your prep: water. Specifically, the kind that does more than just exist.

You’ve got your gear sorted. Training? Tick. Mental toughness? Let’s call it… pending. But if you’re not thinking about hydration in the lead-up to Tough Mudder, you’re basically showing up to a gunfight with a pool noodle.

Look, this course is no walk in the park. You’re going to sweat. You’re going to cramp. You might even question your life choices somewhere between Arctic Enema and Electroshock Therapy. The last thing you want is your body tapping out because you didn’t take water seriously.

So here’s the truth bomb: hydration isn’t just about drinking water on race day. It’s about prepping your body before you even hit the starting line. Hydrated muscles perform better, recover faster, and cramp less. Your brain functions sharper. Your endurance holds up. And yep — it even helps reduce that post-Mudder hobble we all know and dread.

But not all water’s created equal. Some of it just passes through like a polite tourist. Others — like Alka Power — know how to put in the work.

Bottled at the source in the pristine Southern Highlands of NSW, Alka Power is Australia’s favourite alkaline water, loaded with naturally bioavailable marine trace minerals. It’s got a pH of 9–10, which means it helps neutralise acid build-up from high-intensity training. It hydrates at a cellular level — the kind that keeps cramps at bay, supports recovery, and helps your body handle the punishment you’re about to put it through. That’s why Alka Power has been Australia’s number one alkaline water brand since 2015.

And in big news for thirsty legends: Alka Power now comes in a 10-litre bag-in-box format. That’s hydration in bulk — perfect for stocking your fridge, team tent, or car boot so you’re never scrambling for a bottle last minute. Less plastic, more performance. We love to see it.

So here’s your prep checklist:
✔ Eat carbs
✔ Taper like a pro
✔ Visualise the finish line
✔ Hydrate like it actually matters

Because it’s not just mud you’ll be dragging yourself through — it’s fatigue, lactic acid, and mental walls too. Give your body every edge.

Hydrate. Dominate. Then rinse off and brag for weeks.

Alka Power is available nationally at major and independent retailers. Make the change.

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“The Grand Canyon Challenge Has Been the Highlight of My Lockdown”

Author: Amr Hafiz

We can tell you time and time again why our brand new virtual fitness experience Tough Mudder Challenges is epic but really you need to hear it from the horse’s mouth. In this case the horse is Amr Hafiz, a Mudder who took on the first ever Tough Mudder Challenge and totally bossed it.

Amr’s Tough Mudder Challenge Experience

“As is the case with most of us, lockdown has pushed my body and mind to levels of laziness it could only ever dream of. The main attraction to the Tough Mudder Challenges for me, besides the swag of course, was the fact that there would be a unique and wacky Tough Mudder spin on things. It wasn’t going to be just another 5k run, some burpees and a medal in the post.

I set about joining the Facebook group, and was definitely surprised by the number of people from all backgrounds and abilities who had already joined and were excited for what was to come. Before 2020, I had done a few “real life” Tough Mudders, but to say I trained for them would be a lie. Tallying up all the training I had done for a Tough Mudder previously would probably be less than 50 miles in 4 years. I had more event miles than training miles! This was definitely about to change when the details of the Grand Canyon Challenge were announced.

The Extra Mile 100km in 21 days – “I could probably do that… maybe get the bike out”

Grand Canyon 1829m of elevation gain – (Googles peaks in Warwickshire… Aaaand flat as a pancake) “Stairs it is then”

Centurion 200 reps of 5 exercises – “Ooooh maybe I could level up this one, doesn’t seem too bad” (In hindsight… Pfft HA!)

Arctic Ene.. – “NOPE! NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!”

With this very detailed plan in hand, I took to the Facebook group again. There were people like me who were figuring it out as they went along, those who created clever spreadsheets and were happy to share them, and everything else in between. The community was always there motivating, conquering and most importantly laughing its way through the activities. I joined in where I could and was surrounded by a sense of belonging that made these activities something I looked forward to daily.

Speaking of daily, my days went from the normal, work from home, eat and watch TV routine, to something more like, work, do a plank above 6 eggs on my lunch break, watch TV, go for a short walk, eat, run up the stairs as much as I can. Those short walks and stair climbs combined with a longer hike in the Peak District were enough to get me to the distance and elevation goals for the Challenge. With the Centurion, press ups were definitely a killer, but after some advice from the all knowing Tough Mudder community on Facebook, I managed to split the exercises in a way that was much more manageable.

If these activities weren’t enough, TMHQ decided to surprise us with 4 extra weekly activities (of which we picked 2) that were designed to make us the talk of the street. From running around in circles in our driveways, to carrying our books/pets/significant others on our backs for 100m, each activity tested us in a different way. Thursday – the day when a new list of of absurd activities was announced – became the highlight of the week. Of these, I would have to say my favourite was definitely Graffeeti. The goal was to write out the letters ‘TM’ using a GPS tracker. If you were feeling extra keen, you could write out the full words ‘TOUGH MUDDER’. I chose to do this in a nearby field during one of my afternoon walks. Much to the confusion of passers by, and the annoyance of my decreasingly patient wife, I managed the full ‘TOUGH MUDDER’, and knocked off a few kilometres of Extra Mile – WIN!

‘;

My least favourite activity had to be Snip Snip. Trying to cut 1m x 1m of grass using nail scissors used up the last of my motivation, but I had thankfully left this to be done at the end. The hardest activity however was definitely Arctic Enema. My twisted logic thought that it would be easier to level up the activity since I wouldn’t have to continuously dunk my head. Eight kilograms of ice and full body submerging for 10 minutes was definitely not easier! Knowing that I wasn’t the only one doing it, and watching the videos of my fellow Mudders smashing it helped get me power through. My wife laughing in the background, however, did not.

Overall, the Grand Canyon Challenge has been a highlight of my lockdown. It has helped me stay active. It has helped me remain sane. And when the next Tough Mudder live event comes round, I will probably be the most prepared I have ever been! As a result, I am signed up to do the remaining 5 months, and currently enjoying fun-filled Fiji. I look forward to meeting more of you out on course (virtually), wherever Tough Mudder decides to take us next.”

Now It’s Your Turn

If Amr’s experience has got you considering your own virtual fitness adventure, then it’s time to get involved in Tough Mudder Challenges. You can still sign up for August’s Tough Mudder Challenge – Fiji, or if you’re not quite ready, you can choose one of the later Challenges – there’s a brand new, uniquely-themed Challenge every month until the end of the year.

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Everything That Went Down on the First Ever Tough Mudder Challenge

Author: Tough Mudder

And just like that the first ever Tough Mudder Challenge came to an end. What a whirlwind three weeks it has been Mudder Nation. In just 21 days those who tackled Tough Mudder Challenge – Grand Canyon have travelled 275,439 miles, climbed 16,965,885 ft and crushed over 1,350,000 reps – and that’s just the people who have crossed the finish line today. We’ve been amazed by the motivation, commitment and most of all, the community spirit that has surrounded this first Challenge.

The Tough Mudder Challenges UK Facebook Group has been a hub of support, enthusiasm and shared experience. We’ve loved lurking in there and seeing all of your best moments (not as creepy as it sounds we promise). So to celebrate the first round of Challengers crossing the virtual finish line here’s just a taste of what Tough Mudder Challenge – Grand Canyon has been like.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

The numbers are incredible. Challengers have been walking, running, cycling, sitting up, pushing up, squatting down – it makes us tired just typing it. But one of the trickier activities involved gaining one hell of a lot of elevation – the depth of the Grand Canyon in fact. Mudders got seriously creative when it came to getting this done and we were astounded at the number of people who went out and climbed…actual mountains to make their elevation goal.

Leave No Mudder Behind

On the topic of mountains, there was one very special story which really caught our eye. It doesn’t matter whether we’re on the course IRL or out in the wild taking on Tough Mudder Challenges – we leave no Mudder behind. While climbing their own mountain three Challengers demonstrated how you can live and breath that message. Martin Gemmell, Kevin Calder, Michelle Carney and Annais Arnold were out getting their elevation climbing Scafell Pike, when they came across a woman who had fallen and was injured. They picked her up and carried her down the mountain to a rescue team, ensuring she got to safety and received the help she needed. These guys bleed orange and we’re incredibly proud to call them Mudders, Challengers and Tough Mudder Ambassadors.

Next Level

Climbing mountains wasn’t the only way that Challengers took things to the next level though. To name just a few, Clara Norman visited a cryo-chamber to complete her Arctic Enema activity, Chris Torrance scarified his toilet to nail Room Raiders (we hope no one needed to go), Stuart Dean created an epic slip n’ slide for his interpretation of Room Raiders and tons of you took to throwing your dog, child and best friend on your back in the name of Hold Your Wood.

The Finish Line

As Challengers start to cross the finish line from today we can’t wait to see them donning their brand new swag – if you fancy trying on the brand new Tough Mudder Challenges headband then head over to our Instagram and try our latest filter.

If all this excitement has got you thinking that maybe it’s time to commit to a new fitness goal, then get signed up for Tough Mudder Challenge – Fiji, a new, unique 21 day adventure packed full of activities to push your mind, body and soul (okay maybe not your soul).

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10 Motivational Quotes to Get You Through Tough Mudder Challenges

Author: Tough Mudder

Finding motivation and pushing boundaries daily can be difficult, even if you are taking on Tough Mudder Challenge. It’s so easy to hit the snooze alarm before an early morning workout, or pass up an evening workout for a Netflix sesh. Committing to the mindset of, “I can and I will” is the difference between making strides in goals and procrastinating them. Whether you are struggling to stay on track with goals or fighting to find the motivation for a new routine, we find it helps to remind ourselves why we started and look to some of the greats for inspiration.

For that reason, we pulled some of the best motivational quotes we use to inspire ourselves daily and remind ourselves why we do what we do.

Get Motivated

1. “The clock is ticking. Are you becoming the person you want to be?” — Greg Plitt, fitness model

2. “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” — Unknown

3. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” — Aristotle

4. “No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.” — Unknown

5. “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn

6. “You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.” — Arthur Ashe

7. “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” — George Halas

8. “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” — Wayne Dyer

9. “Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” — Oprah Winfrey

10. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” — Rabindranath Tagore

Feeling all fired up? Book your own Tough Mudder Challenge and show the world what you’re made of.

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How to Find Joy in the Present

Author: Tough Mudder

How many of you have heard the phrase ‘it’s all in your head’? We’re guessing a lot. Used in the wrong context it can be extremely dismissive and unhelpful, but in the fourth episode in our #MudderMinds series, Mindset coach and Mudder, Dave Cotterell teaches us that sometimes it can be true.

In a world where we’re all permanently connected through social media and mobile devices, the story we tell ourselves for not getting an instant response has changed. What used to be a simple understanding that the person we contacted may just be busy, has now become an unhealthy obsession and insecurity about what we may have done to make them ignore us.

Dave guides us through this thought process and challenges us to tell ourselves a different story. One that helps us instead of hurting us. So, take pause, analyse the situation and realise that we can’t change the future outcome, but we can change our joy in the present.

Let us know if you have any questions or feedback via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Over the coming weeks, we’ll continue to try and answer your questions and provide tools to help you during these uncertain times.