2011 MS Mud Run

Last year my kindred spirit, Kathy and I witnessed our first Mud Run.  We were blown away by the obstacles set up for this 10 k race.  While watching the race Kathy kept telling me we could do it too.  I looked at her like she was crazy.  I have participated in 5 k fun runs but never anything this strenuous.  Plus why the $#&% would I want to run a race in mud?

Kathy wore my resistance down after hearing her tell me we could do it for a year.  Yesterday we competed in our first MS Mud Run.  "Compete" isn't a very accurate description of our role in the race.  A better description might be participated in the event.  There were over 2200 participants and we probably took last place.  Can't say that for certain because there were so many participants that every 15 minutes 75 runners were released onto the course.  The race started at 9 AM.  We started at 10 A.M. and when we crossed the finish line 3 hours 26 minutes later there were still people waiting to run.

The course was built by a former U.S. Marine so I assume it was designed similar to that of a marine boot camp.  Never serving in the armed forces I couldn't say for sure.  There were probably 25 to 30 muddy obstacles (maybe more) ranging from slightly strenuous to really tough (all in mud).  I tried all the obstacles except one.  There was a tall wall that the participants ran up to, jumped and pulled themselves over.  I'm so short I couldn't jump high enough to grab the top of the wall plus I knew I didn't have the upper body strength to pull myself over.  Now I know what to work on, right?  I feel guilty about not trying.  I did try all the other obstacles.  Try is the key word here.  I was not able to complete all the obstacles such as the cargo rope wall and the monkey ropes.  I broke my left wrist a couple of years ago.  It was not strong enough to pull my body up the wiggly rope ladder but I did try.  Even though a couple of the obstacles were a little scary, I was able to do it because our fellow participants were all so helpful and encouraging.  I can't say enough about the camaraderie.  All the participants were wonderful.  I had moments when slipping and sliding in a deep mud pit when I thought there was no way out and then a big hand would be offered to me and I was suddenly pulled out of the mire.

At the finish line there were muddy high fives, chest bumps and slaps on the back.  All at once I had new energy and danced in the parking lot eating my free Hardees turkey burger and fries in my bare feet.  The muddy combat boots had to come off.  The last 2 miles of the race had been rather painful.  The boots had made blisters on the heels of both feet.  When I removed the boots and mud soaked socks I also removed the top layer of skin over the blisters.  I am covered in bruises and scrapes and every muscle in my body aches.  Yesterday I said I would never do it again.  Today?  Yes, I know I would.  It was an awesome experience giving me a new knowledge of my inner and outer strength.