The Insane Inflatable is one of the best 5Ks around that is perfect for the entire family. It's a moderately difficult course that is filled with giant inflatable obstacles. However, you should be prepared because it's not your typical 5K.

Most 5Ks, you just run... not necessarily in a straight line. But you usually just run, up and down hills, around bends, from start to finish. Though the Insane Inflatable is not as difficult, it's more similar to such runs as the Tough Mudder or the Spartan Run. They are similar in that you don't run the entire race. The race is broken up into stages, running short distances, between taking on man-made obstacles.

You may think, "how difficult can a giant inflatable slide be?" It's more difficult than you would think after running a quarter mile, especially when you have to climb up unsteady, inflated stairs, to slide down the other side. To prepare for this kind of 5K where you run for short bursts, then exert yourself, there are special workouts.  I thought I would share the one I have been doing in order to help you get ready-- and don't worry, my workout doesn't require a gym.

First off, build yourself up. You're not going to be able to do this entire workout your first time out. Start by just doing what you can, several times a week, and you will see yourself going further every week. This routine is built to simulate the short stages of the 5K, broken up by obstacles that exert your muscles.

Run - 0.25 mile

     Push Ups - 10-20 (Regular)

     Core - 20-30

     Squats - 20-30 (With no weigh, drop down to a 90 degree angle at the knee)

Run - 0.50 miles

Push Ups - 10 (At top of your push up, touch your opposite foot with your hand. Right to left, and left to right)

     Core - Plank for 1 minute

     Pull Ups - Max Out (Can replace with upright rows)

Run - 0.25 miles

     Push Ups - 10 (Lift your right hand up to the sky, while holding yourself up with left hand, then on next pushup, alternate to left hand up and right hand holding you up)

     Core - Side plank for 30 seconds each side

    Squats - 20-30 (With no weigh, drop down to a 90 degree angle at the knee)

Run - 0.50 miles

     Push Ups - 10 (Tricep pushups, with your hands shoulder width apart, and elbows in)

     Core - Scissor crunches

     Pull Ups - Max Out (Can replace with upright rows)

Repeat this until you complete 3 miles. If the push ups, pulls up and core exercises are too difficult for you, you can replace them with something you can do. The important thing is to prepare your body for the process of breaking up your run with strenuous exercise. Also build you way up to the 3 mile goal, just do what you can at first. My first time, I could barely get thought the first set. Now, just a few weeks later, I'm at almost 2.5 miles.

I am not a professional trainer, and you should consult a doctor before performing any strenuous exercise. This is just an example of what I am currently doing, after performing research and asking professionals.

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