Monday, September 19, 2011

Race Recap: Got Dirty, Had Fun, Did Go0d

My goal for this mud run was to make it through (or over) all obstacles and have fun. I wasn't racing for time. But I did push myself. I started with a group of people, but two other people said to me that they wanted to pick up the pace, so I set off with them. We went through the course pushing ourselves through the run portions, but hit bottle necks at a few obstacles and at others would help people through them. (We just had a hard time passing and leaving people struggling right next to us!)

The course was 3.1 miles and had roughly 20 obstacles. While the obstacles were challenging, I think the run between obstacles was harder. It had rained heavily the night before and there had been multiple waves before mine. The course was a mud pit from start to finish. So running between the obstacles was entirely on mud. I swear the effort was like running uphill the entire time (oh and there were hills too! *sarcastic*) and keeping my footing was also challenging. Here's a map of the course:

MandaPanda guessed right and the Prison Sh0wer was a fire hose which they were nailing us with as we were crossing water about 2-3 feet deep. I am scared of heights...oh, and I don't swim either. Thankfully I'm tall, so the deepest water on me was chest height. But the cargo ladder, that was scary for me. I figure it was 15 feet high (but was probably more like 100). You climb up and over to go back down the other side. i was fine going up. Then I got to the top and had a tiny bit of a freak out inside (OMG, I am going to fall and die. I can't do this...etc.). But I was a bit committed (ha) at that point, so I just took a deep breath and got myself over and climbed down. The adrenalin made my legs a bit shaky, but once I started jogging again I felt OK.

Here's a shot of one of the obstacles crawling under barbed wire. While it appears to be water, don't let that fool you. That is pure thin stinky mud!
And here's a before and after. I donated my shoes and threw everything else away except my pants.
Things I learned:
  • I made it through and over all obstacles. :)
  • I need to figure out pants that I can also toss.
  • We passed lots of guys on the course, so it made us feel like we were doing well. And, in my defense of putting this bullet, a large percentage of those guys were pissed that they were being passed by "girls" (we heard them). *neener neener*...We finished 20 mins before our group.
  • The "showers" provided at the end were fire hoses and pretty much smelled like sewer water. *gross* There really isn't much alternative, but next time I will bring a big bucket of baby wipes. 
  • Talking about those brain eating things in the water that have surfaced in Texas recently while in the water added a layer of excitement in freaking everyone out. *I did not bring it up!*
  • Woo hoo! Another item checked off my wellness goals for the year! 
  • Mud runs are F-U-N! And, are definitely challenging. I'd do one again, but I'm not sure I'd be interested in a 6-10 miler.

14 comments:

MandaPanda said...

That is freakin' awesome! You go you! I was supposed to do a Mud Run next week.. Yeah...not gonna happen but this gets me remotivated for the next one. Great job!

Anna said...

Awesome job, and it looks like a ton of fun! Good job of getting over your fear of heights on the cargo climb! :)

Kristin said...

You are so brave! I am proud of you what a great accomplishment! You look terrific after LMAO!!!!!!

Laura Belle said...

I want to do one of those soooo bad. It looks like *fun*. haha.

Rhonda said...

Ooh, next time count me in, too! That looks like a blast. :)

speck said...

Oh M Gee, I love this. How fun.(and sickly at the same time lol)

I felt like I was experiencing this with you.(well ok, not quite that)

I think I might know just a little of what you were experiencing at the top of that ladder though...I had the same thing happen to me when I went zip lining for the first time.

Thanks for sharing, sounds like it was really fun.

Congrats.

Cat said...

So very very proud of you. I definately want to try a mud run or a warrior dash once I'm able to run for more than 5 mins at one time. It just seems like something that people should try once in their lives!! Sorry about the wall, but look what you did?? You conquered a fear and got through it.

Angela said...

I totally would have been one of those people you had to help over the obstacles. I am going to have to do one of these. So fun!

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

I have pics like this for tomorrow's post! Congrats to you!

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

I have pics like this for tomorrow's post! Congrats to you!

trishajo said...

you are TOUGH girl! i had some friends do that same run last year, kudos to you all! lol

Anonymous said...

Awesome accomplishment! I am very proud of you.

~Lisa~ said...

What an absolutely amazing accomplishment!!! I am soooooo proud of YOU!! Wow, you've just impressed the socks right off me!

Amy W. said...

you look awesome!!!!! We had thought about doing the tough mudder in Tampa this fall, but didnt. Its 12 miles and $150 bucks! And that only includes one party beer! Say whaaat? My biggest fear was the 10 foot wall, bc mama's got no ups.