I actually meant lean more than big. I'm just over 6'4" and very broad (typical rugby build without the fat) and I know there is no way (even if my leg was up to it), I could run a marathon or try an Iron man or at least not without serious months of conditioning as endurance stuff is a totally different ball game to everything else. There's a few in my gym who keep asking me to give it (or even a triathlon) a go but I simply can't as the running aspect would destroy my leg and stop me dead.
Some of the lads who compete in IM's in the in the gym are big lads but, they are all fairly narrow shouldered (not top heavy) and don't carry too much body fat. Hat's off to you two guys though as they are tough events.
Two things I always fancied doing were the tough mudder challenge and the Empire State Building stair climb but I know my leg wouldn't take either so I'm stuck to low impact high intensity cardio, road cycling and swimming.
@themoid, being a similar size to me, don't you suffer joint or back pain from the stress you're putting on your lower body over such a long event? Or is it something your body is used to now?
Give American Football a try data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Very physically demanding!Plenty of teams all over the UK as well!
@Apsilon - no nothing like that. I have some biomechanics issues from knackered ankles / back injury, but nothing that comes from the long distance stuff (apart from the usual aches and pains).
Would help if i lost some weight, but a fair part of that is muscle from several years of weights, and not helped by me starting to kick box now ;-)
by the number and where severity of the injuries I would say rugby union is, with maybe American football a close second
I'm thinking of less contact sports where injuries are obligatory.
Solo things such as climbing... there's elements of danger, fitness and agility that all fit the bill.
Rugby League
Australian Rules Football
Muay Thai (and other similar martial arts such as Burmese Lethwei)
Why not try rock climbing, it is pretty tough and requires endurance and strength.
Spencer data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
boxing straight up
greatest sport ever
Boxing is a tough sport, it also gives you speed, strength, endurance, hand eye co-ordination.
For a more relaxing and skilled sport why not try Golf, tougher than you think.
Spencer
Learn to ride! As in horses! Tougher than you think! Cross country and showjumping if you've got the confidence to do it eventually. It isn't a quick thing Ie. get on and jump 3ft course! You'll learn to use completely different muscle groups to anything else so be prepared to ache! data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
1 for climbing aswell.