We caught up with the 2014 Tough Guy winner Charles Franzke from Germany to find out how he trains and any secrets to his success. Only 21 years old and still a student, Charles beat his 7th finish place last year to win the 2014 Tough Guy.

How did you get started into Obstacle Racing then?

Around a year ago I entered Getting Tough The Race in Germany which was my first obstacle race. I loved it so much I was convinved to then join their extreme running club.

What’s Getting Tough all about?

Getting Tough specialises in extreme running with all members competing in Obstacle Racing and Ultratrail running. We are proud to be the best Team in Europe.

What’s the OCR scene like in Germany?

Obstacle Course Racing is still an upcoming sport in Germany, every year more and more people are getting involved with new races coming up all the time. Us German’s absolutely love them!

So did you enjoy Tough Guy?

Yes! I loved it. It’s has it’s own kind of experience, all the great obstacles, the spectators - it’s an unbelievable atmosphere which brings me back every year. I had some tough competition though, until the Killing Fields obstacle course I was in the leading group but then managed to take the lead from the 400m long water obstacle. From here it was just try and get through all the cold water as quick as possible!

What’s your tips to running Tough Guy?

It’s important that you prepare as it’s not your average event. Due to the weather and intensity of the obstacles it really takes its toll on the body and your mind. In training, I often walk in cold rivers and do some pushups in the water. I find it hardens me up and prepares for such races!

Training your mind is also really important and mentally you have to be in the right place, so the cold won’t affect you. During the race you just have to enjoy the feeling and pain so you know you’re doing a good job! It’s best to get in and out of the water as soon as possible though, to minimise the impact of the cold. Lastly it’s important to wear a good pair of shoes, I wear the Inov8 Trailroc 235 to give me grip and Brooks clothing. Other Inov8 shoes such as the Mudclaw and X Talon’s are good too.

In my training, I often walk in cold rivers and do some pushups in the water. I find it hardens me up!

How did you train for Tough Guy?

I train around ten times a week, on each training day I do two workouts. One running and the other will be general fitness or gym work. Generally I run between 40 to 70 miles each week but I prefer the natural routes with most of my running across fields and forests. I also do other sports, in particular cycling and swimming, as well as Triathlon.

What’s your plans for 2014?

This year I want to take part at some Strongman Runs in Italy and Austria, then a Spartan Race in Munich. I would love to compete at the OCR World Champs but the air fare is a bit too much for me!

Big thanks to Charles for taking some time to speak to us - here’s a video of him in action! Follow him on his Facebook page here. Also see some more photos of Tough Guy 2014 here

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