Somehow, I had committed to a mud run (Step Up For Soldiers). I am not really a runner. The first 5k I did was with my friend Sarah to get in shape post-baby and since then, I have only run 5ks that are somewhat ridiculous – like people throwing colored powders at me or running at night through glow foam.
I signed up for this mud run back when we lived in Wilmington, NC, on a whim. It had been on my mind for a while but it took a friend forcing my hand that finally had me sign up. We’d do it together!
And, as these things usually go, I have nothing but fond memories from the experience and was so glad I went beyond my comfort zone.
What is a Mud Run:
I like this definition the best: “A mud run is an event where individuals and teams attempt obstacles that involve water and mud. Participants go into pools of water and mud while completing these obstacles.” Simply put, and the truth.
The most popular brand of these are the Tough Mudders. They bill themselves as:Â
A community of normal individuals with an abnormal commitment to overcoming challenge. We create some of the world’s most intense obstacle courses, designed to test your physical strength, mental grit, and aptitude for camaraderie.
Why Do a Mud Run:
The day before I was incredibly nervous. I had no idea what to expect. What if I couldn’t do what was asked of me? What if I failed or made a fool of myself? (Note: I had voluntarily signed up to crawl through mud yet I was still worried about what people would think. I recognize how ridiculous that is.)
The day dawned gorgeous. Sunny, 70’s, and, if you’ve never been there, let me tell you that Wilmington is FLAT. No massive hills to be run that day. All conditions pointed towards a successful day.
Meeting up with my team, we started.
I made it through , obviously. I was laughing nearly the whole time, and my new teammates were generous and full of humor (as their minion costumes suggested).
This was, of course, way outside of my comfort zone. It meant possible failure and trying things I never thought I could do.
At the end of it all, I felt proud, exhausted, and completely hyped up on adrenaline. The next morning, I felt sore with bruises in all kinds of crazy places, but I also wanted to brag to everyone about what I had done. I had scaled six-foot walls, crossed monkey bars, put my face in nasty mud, and met new friends! I felt like a new person – like I could do anything.
I had more inside me than I thought.
If you get an opportunity to do one of these with a friend, ignore all the scary information the Internet offers. You do need to be sure that you have a reasonable level of physical fitness but this isn’t a competition on television or a marathon. There were so many different abilities at the mud run I did. It was a welcoming environment.
And be sure to follow the rest of my tips to make sure your mud run experience is a success.
10 Tips for a Mud Run:
1 – Pick wisely.
Pick one that has a good reputation. We also picked one that was advertising itself as easy for beginners (don’t start with a Spartan race…build up to that). The other thing that affected our decision was the cause. We felt like if we were going to do something like an obstacle course, using a place where our soldiers train performing feats our soldiers do as part of their average training, then the money should benefit the soldiers themselves.
2- Do NOT duct tape your shoes on your feet but do tie them tight…and wear old ones.Â
I know this is a weird tip, but this is in response to other posts out there about mud runs. Obviously, wear old shoes. They will not be recoverable after you are done. Many people who do mud runs as a hobby get amphibious shoes (like RYKA Women’s Hydro Sports). That is certainly not necessary. But do know you won’t get your shoes back to clean afterwards.Â
There is a lot going around about whether to tape your shoes on or not: DO NOT. I lost a shoe in the mud very early on. But it wasn’t a big deal, it came out and went back on, and I was much happier to lose a shoe than sprain an ankle or to have my whole foot stuck. Tie ’em tight and squelch on.
3- Wear the right clothes: wicking, short sleeve, good undergarments.Â
Don’t wear cotton. Get clothings that dries quickly. Go sleeveless or short sleeves. Â
Special note for women: I know a lot of exercise tights these days no longer require underwear, but wear underwear (preferably high-performance ones) for this.Â
4- Try everything.
The obstacles are created for the average participant and there are spotters (there should be spotters – if not, pick a different race) to help you get it done. In the end, you want to feel like you pushed your boundaries.Â
BUT…
5- Don’t try something if it really doesn’t feel right.Â
Know yourself, be out there to try new things, but also know your boundaries. If you are terrified of an obstacle or know, for example, that you have carpal tunnel syndrome and holding a monkey bar is a bad idea, don’t do it!
I skipped one of the six-foot walls because there wasn’t a spotter and dropping down unassisted isn’t my (or my knees’) thing. I was fine with that decision – so were my knees.
6- Get a team.Â
This is way more fun with friends, or strangers in minion costumes (who, I am happy to say, are my friends now). Plus, the obstacles are easier to accomplish with friends. I tend to sign up for 5ks alone because Mr. Family Trip isn’t interested and most of my friends prefer salons and spas during the free time over splashing around in mud (probably because they aren’t insane, like me). Usually that’s okay for me, but I am glad this time I didn’t go solo.
7- Take your time.Â
Especially for your first mud run, don’t go for time. Go for tackling the obstacles you want in a safe, and fun, way.
8- Don’t think about it too much.Â
The worst thing you can do is stand in front of the monkey bars over mud for too long and think about it. You’ve just got to GO. The longer you anticipate, the worse it is. In reality, it isn’t bad at all. So take a deep breath and just GO.
9- Bring a change of clothes.Â
For afterwards. Because you will be disgusting. Most races offer some sort of shower spot for race participants but my friend, but I waited until I got home to reward myself with a hot shower. There was mud in all new places so it was a long shower. But to get home, it was nice to have some clean clothes to put on.
10- Waterproof your phone and/or get a waterproof camera.Â
One of my minion friends had done mud runs before and knew to bring a waterproof sports camera. Because, let’s be honest, a big part of doing a mud run is being able to brag about it some! Plus, people don’t always believe you and I didn’t believe myself. Photo proof helps. We took our time through the mud run, enjoyed, and snapped pictures.Â
Beyond all else, of course, have fun! The euphoria and the camaraderie was worth all of the mud and water.