How to Run in the Mud - Adventure Dating.

After almost 5 years of marriage, moving four houses, having two babies, and learning to live on a ridiculously strict budget - John and I don't really have much of a dating life, but our life in general is an adventure.  (A damn good one in fact)  

However, recently, I have taken up the sport of adventure racing.  Completing a 6.3 mile adventure run last month, John watched on enviously.  I knew he'd get the itch to start running again.  I found an obstacle run (The Big Nasty Mud Run) that was 4.3 miles and claimed only 10 dirty, crazy obstacles.  I signed us up.  We two weeks to prepare.  I laughed thinking that it would be a walk on the beach compared to the Mukkas Run I had previously run.  Joke was on me.  Not only did John keep up with me (I did have to motivate him a few times), but he actually helped me with some of the obstacles.  Scaling walls doesn't seem to be my biggest strength - however, carrying a tire 1/4 mile is!  Oh the things you learn running in the mud.

Anywho -- After getting completely filthy together and loving every single, freezing cold, knee bleeding, shoes as heavy as cement moment of it - we have decided to run another one in the beginning of June. Because of this new found love to adventure race, I've decided to spread the love....  Below you will find my advice (and humor) with running muddy.  Enjoy!

Getting Muddy :

1.  Make it a date.  A girlfriend date. A date with the hubby. Or even a first date.... hell - you'd have no where to go but up from there. He'd see you covered in mud, sweat, and blood. You'd learn if you work as a team well, if you can pass the minutes with conversation, motivate one another... and what an awesome first kiss that would lead to!!
             Just make sure whoever you run with is in the same (or similar) physical condition as you. You want the race to be fun - you aren't paying $50+ to walk and chat while puddle jumping.

2.  Duct tape your shoes. No joke. Mud is sticky. I would not want to run the woods with one shoe, no shoes, or just in socks.  (Although - I know that is the new craze right now)

3. Instead of sneakers - maybe try those fiver finger shoes.  I'll let you know more about those later - as we are going to invest in some for the next run.  Our running shoes were cement blocks throughout the race as the mud dried.

4. Do not look up the obstacles beforehand.  Just show up in good condition with a smile on your face. Know you will get filthy.

5.  If you need to pee - there is bound to be a lake on the course - just do it.

6.  Sometimes the best route is directly through the mud, as the runners ahead of you have tried to shortcut the sides and have caused a slippery trap. Step lightly and thing "high knees."

7.  Laugh - throughout the ENTIRE thing. 

8.  Have someone take a before and after picture.

Ready - Set - RACE!!!!!!!!!!