Mountain Goat Course, Part I

Everyone has their favorite exercise or activity. I am no different in that aspect. I have a fellow Tough Mudder and WTM qualifier who has build a small course in his "back forty" that is a great training ground for any type of activity. Its a home made obstacle course. The course contains many elements you will find in live racing scenarios including, what I believe is the most important part, hills. The course was assembled by Randy "mountain goat" Wears. He's called the mounting goat because he goes over hills/mountains with the ease of that animal. Any day of the week you can find him out running these hills, striving to be better. I'm somewhat surprised the hills aren't flat with how much he hammers them.

The first part of the course starts out with a run not for the faint of heart. Its around 150 yards and just goes up. The hill is brutal, almost all first timers walk some part and definitely have their leg muscles burning at the top. Even seasoned runners will have to regain their breath after topping out this hill. The trail then runs down the other side, has some rolling hills, and loops around back to the top. The backside isn't much easier than the front. There is the first obstacle. A bench. It waits for you to do 50 dips or whatever number makes you feel worked. I do LOVE the first hill. Its a wake up call, a challenge and an accomplishment. Makes me want to unleash a primal yell.

There is a small jog across the side of the hill to the first horizontal ladder. Here we practice for the Funky Monkey and other obstacles that force you to hold up your body weight and cross a distance. Its a short ladder, around 8 ft and we will go up and back twice. Newbies are asked to go up and back once, twice if they feel a bit saucy.

By this time the heart rate is elevated, sweat has started and you might ask yourself, how far are we? Not even a mile yet.

We will talk about the next section next time. For now, get out and GET SOME!