Ever do a mud run before? Well, this was a first for me. I have mixed feelings about it but overall it was a really fun time. To help out my fellow fun runners, I'm going to drop the pros and cons below as well as a list of things that my team and I have decided will better prepare us (and you) for the next one.
Pros
1. Teamwork is encouraged.
This race is amazing! Literally everyone that we found on the course was willing to help a hand! It was great! For people who like team work - super awesome.
This race is amazing! Literally everyone that we found on the course was willing to help a hand! It was great! For people who like team work - super awesome.
2. Being covered in mud helps prevent sunburn.
Very quickly into the race, we were covered it mud. We also thought that being so early in the day, we wouldn't need sunblock. For the most part, we were right. Everywhere that the mud was, no sunburn. As for my face, it took some sun and I had a pretty sweet burn and sunglasses outline for a few days. Wear sunblock on your face, at a minimum.
Very quickly into the race, we were covered it mud. We also thought that being so early in the day, we wouldn't need sunblock. For the most part, we were right. Everywhere that the mud was, no sunburn. As for my face, it took some sun and I had a pretty sweet burn and sunglasses outline for a few days. Wear sunblock on your face, at a minimum.
3. Lots of obstacles.
Obstacles everywhere! We were never bored on this track. There were a few added challenges as well, simply from running through the woods at certain points, but once again, teamwork prevailed.
4. Beer at the end!
Amazingly good beer at the end of a race? Heck, yes! It was awesome and was a great way to celebrate a finish!
5. Sweet premium parking.
The premium parking for this event was literally at the entrance to the raceway so it was worth every penny to not have to walk an extra 15 minutes in and 15 minutes out. Our stuff was safe in the car and we had easy access to it, even going back to the car after we registered.
Obstacles everywhere! We were never bored on this track. There were a few added challenges as well, simply from running through the woods at certain points, but once again, teamwork prevailed.
4. Beer at the end!
Amazingly good beer at the end of a race? Heck, yes! It was awesome and was a great way to celebrate a finish!
5. Sweet premium parking.
The premium parking for this event was literally at the entrance to the raceway so it was worth every penny to not have to walk an extra 15 minutes in and 15 minutes out. Our stuff was safe in the car and we had easy access to it, even going back to the car after we registered.
Cons
1. Some obstacles were ridiculously easy.
There were a few obstacles that were hilariously easy for us. I literally didn't have to do anything in the first obstacle because taller folks were holding back all of the bungee cords for themselves. I just walked on through. Another was an over/under type deal that I literally just walked through. Sometimes, being short makes the obstacles less fun.
There were a few obstacles that were hilariously easy for us. I literally didn't have to do anything in the first obstacle because taller folks were holding back all of the bungee cords for themselves. I just walked on through. Another was an over/under type deal that I literally just walked through. Sometimes, being short makes the obstacles less fun.
One of the obstacles along the course required me to stretch my full body length just to get a fingertip grasp on a wall that I needed to go over. Had I been a few inches taller, it would have been possible, but with a shoulder injury and literally no leverage to get up, it was a no go. Another obstacle which was supposed to be "waist high" mud ended up coming up to my neck and was quite a surprise.
3. There is mud.
If you are a neat freak, this race is not for you. We were covered in mud chest down with several pounds of mud caked into our shoes. There was mud all over our faces, hair, under our finger and toenails, and took several showers to get it all off.
If you are a neat freak, this race is not for you. We were covered in mud chest down with several pounds of mud caked into our shoes. There was mud all over our faces, hair, under our finger and toenails, and took several showers to get it all off.
4. Lack of music.
I love to run with my music on, but because this race is muddy - no ipod or phone. Few obstacles had any music playing so you really have to be self motivated to keep your pace and not walk the whole thing.
5. You might get kicked in the face.
Yes, I said it. While helping a fellow Mudderella, you just might get kicked in the face. It happened... not to me... to a guy I know. We came home and had some serious battle wounds to attend to - scrapes, cuts with dirt ground deep into them, bruises and swelling. We crushed that course and it spanked us right back. Be careful, Be safe. Pay attention and wear whatever protection you need to keep your body safe from the challenges on the course.
I love to run with my music on, but because this race is muddy - no ipod or phone. Few obstacles had any music playing so you really have to be self motivated to keep your pace and not walk the whole thing.
5. You might get kicked in the face.
Yes, I said it. While helping a fellow Mudderella, you just might get kicked in the face. It happened... not to me... to a guy I know. We came home and had some serious battle wounds to attend to - scrapes, cuts with dirt ground deep into them, bruises and swelling. We crushed that course and it spanked us right back. Be careful, Be safe. Pay attention and wear whatever protection you need to keep your body safe from the challenges on the course.
Check out our race video here:
Preparing for your next mud run
While not all of these things may technically be allowed, my sister, brother-in-law, and I decided (while working our way through the track) that the following items would make you the ultimate Mudderella. ** I am in no way encouraging anyone to do this, these are just our observations and exhausted brainstorming results. **
1. Cleats
2. A Trident
3. Capri pants
4. Camel pack
5. Elbow pads
6. Just one glove
7. Goggles
More realistically, if you are doing the NJ Mudderella in the future, here is what you need to prep:
- Capri pants or leggings to protect your shins
- Wear clothes you have no problem throwing out (the might get ripped up)
- There is a shoe donation location, so feel free to wear shoes you are comfortable donating
- Sunglasses are a must
- Sunblock (on your face at a minimum) no matter your wave time
- Wear form fitting clothing to prevent extra mud weighing you down
- Pack garbage bags - WAY more than you think you will need, to hold your muddy stuff
- There is a bag drop, shower area, and changing area which are all fairly public, but we literally changed in the car in the parking lot and were fine. Big towels and friends to hold them.
- Have fun with your team! Dress up. Be silly.
- Bring A LOT of people. A few of the obstacles really can not be done without some help, so bring your pals!
Now go out there and crush that race!!
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