You know that training and nutrition are keys to conquering a Tough Mudder (um…right?). But that focus on what you put into your body doesn’t end on event day. When you put your toe to the start line, the most important part of your diet will be staying hydrated. Show up to a Tough Mudder dehydrated—or fail to rehydrate during and after one—and you can kiss peak performance goodbye (not to mention put yourself at risk for some serious health issues). But don’t worry: Follow our guide to hydration and you’ll be ready to fire on all cylinders at your next Tough Mudder.
BEYOND WATER: VITAMINS AND ELECTROLYTES
When you’re training for or running during a Tough Mudder, your body uses vitamins and, even more importantly, electrolytes. Quick science lesson: Electrolytes are particles that help maintain proper hydration, and are essential for proper nerve function and to keep your muscles from cramping. There are four major electrolytes that you lose when you sweat—sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. (That’s why you’ll find Kill Cliff on-site at Tough Mudder events: Kill Cliff makes drinks for warriors that provide hydration during your workouts and the electrolytes to recover afterward—not to mention a killer taste.)
WHAT TO DRINK DURING AND AFTER
Carbohydrates are also an important piece of the fuel-for-endurance-training puzzle, since carbs are the first line of defense in terms of what your body uses for energy. A drink with carbohydrates, electrolytes, and vitamins can help boost your performance, because you’ll get the perfect balance of rehydration and fuel to help you last longer on the course.
Lucky for you, we give you what you need on the Tough Mudder course: Kill Cliff Endure, which has 120mg of sodium, 470mg of potassium, and no artificial sweeteners, flavors or gluten, and a patented slow release of carbs that’s tailor-made for longer endurance challenges like Tough Mudder, where you don’t need an immediate sugar rush but a long-lasting fuel source.
After an endurance event, you’ll want to replace fluid, vitamin and electrolyte losses. So along with your post-workout or post-event protein snack, add a good rehydration drink. Kill Cliff Recovery is a sugar-free beverage with 200mg of sodium, B Vitamins, Ginseng root extract, potassium, phosphorus, a small (25mg) amount of caffeine from green tea so you can be alert on the ride home, and enzymes to help you absorb all of the ingredients.
THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
Both adequate hydration and electrolyte intake during and after endurance training and Tough Mudder events are important to reap the maximum benefits of your workout. Rehydrate after a Tough Mudder not just with water, but with electrolytes, vitamins, and other all-natural good stuff found in the Kill Cliff you’ll get at a Tough Mudder event.
