1st Mud Run

[EMHDad]

Competing in the Gladiator Assault Challenge in WI at the end of Sept. It is a 6 mile run with 35 obstacles. It is my first race of this type. Really looking forward to it. Anyone else run these 'mud runs'/ 'obstacle course' runs? What are your thoughts? How did you like it? Any advice? lol

 

[jimandami]

Competing in the Gladiator Assault Challenge in WI at the end of Sept. It is a 6 mile run with 35 obstacles. It is my first race of this type. Really looking forward to it. Anyone else run these 'mud runs'/ 'obstacle course' runs? What are your thoughts? How did you like it? Any advice? lol

DH and I have done many mud runs (Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash, Rebel Race, Rugged Maniac, Mudathlon...lol!) and we love them. They are a lot of fun to do and the people are just hilarious...in a good way! My advice would be too wear nothing cotton, wear trail shoes if you have them, and just have a good time!

 

[EMHDad]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I am wearing nothing cotton. I do need to get noncotton socks, but that's it. I am going to wear my running shoes. I thought about buying new ones they are more lightweight, but I don't want to spend the money on shoes for an activity I am not a $100 sure of yet.

I convinced a friend, and possibly another do to it with me so that should be fun. The only problem is who the 2 people are. I am 32 years old. The first guy is a college student and 10 years younger. The 2nd guy is a few years older, but a police detective and built like a football player. So, going through it with them will be fun, but it does add a new challenge to me. lol

 

[jimandami]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I am wearing nothing cotton. I do need to get noncotton socks, but that's it. I am going to wear my running shoes. I thought about buying new ones they are more lightweight, but I don't want to spend the money on shoes for an activity I am not a $100 sure of yet.

I convinced a friend, and possibly another do to it with me so that should be fun. The only problem is who the 2 people are. I am 32 years old. The first guy is a college student and 10 years younger. The 2nd guy is a few years older, but a police detective and built like a football player. So, going through it with them will be fun, but it does add a new challenge to me. lol

I definitely wouldn't buy new ones if you aren't sure you will do further races, but I will tell you that you will slip and slide some with your regular running shoes and they will probably be trashed by the end of the race. We did our first couple in old running shoes, which we donated at the end, and then bought Inov-8 trail shoes, which made a world of difference. However, we do obstacle races a lot so it was worth it to us. As far as socks, I really like Ininji toe socks for mud runs. I wouldn't worry about keeping up with your friends...if you are a runner and they aren't, you won't have any trouble! I have passed many a muscled, apparently fit guy who was sucking wind from running up a hill!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Hi, I hope you don't mind my jumping into this conversation, but the topic caught my eye. I'm thinking about doing my first mud run in a few weeks. It's a small event in my town, not one of the big brand name ones. I have a couple questions maybe jimandami can answer:

On the race website, they suggest duck taping your shoes to your feet. Have you ever seen anyone do that? I assume they mean around the ankles?

I know every race and the level of dirtiness is going to be different depending on the weather, obstacles, etc, but I keep seeing photos of people with their entire faces covered in mud. Is it common to get your face dirty or is that more people goofing around? I know it's called a mud run for a reason, but what I'm concerned about is getting mud in my eyes while wearing contacts. I'm wondering if I should try to attempt it without contacts.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[dreams91]

Hi, I hope you don't mind my jumping into this conversation, but the topic caught my eye. I'm thinking about doing my first mud run in a few weeks. It's a small event in my town, not one of the big brand name ones. I have a couple questions maybe jimandami can answer:

On the race website, they suggest duck taping your shoes to your feet. Have you ever seen anyone do that? I assume they mean around the ankles?

I know every race and the level of dirtiness is going to be different depending on the weather, obstacles, etc, but I keep seeing photos of people with their entire faces covered in mud. Is it common to get your face dirty or is that more people goofing around? I know it's called a mud run for a reason, but what I'm concerned about is getting mud in my eyes while wearing contacts. I'm wondering if I should try to attempt it without contacts.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.

I do mud runs with contacts. I have never had a problem. Even at my dirtiest ones, I've never had my face covered unless it was from my dirty hands scratching my face. Lol

As for shoes, I have seen only a few people do that. Someone that should have done it was this petite gal hat got her foot stuck in the mud. When she pulled her foot back up, her shoe was gone.

 

[jimandami]

Agree with the above! I run mine in contacts also and the only time I have had a problem was at a Warrior Dash when a very large man decided to cannonball into the mud pit beside me....I was completely submerged by his tidal wave! I basically crawled under the barbed wire and over the finish line with my eyes closed! But, all other races have been fine. I do seem some people duct tape their shoes on but I haven't needed to...just tie them very tightly!

 

[EMHDad]

Hi, I hope you don't mind my jumping into this conversation, but the topic caught my eye. I'm thinking about doing my first mud run in a few weeks. It's a small event in my town, not one of the big brand name ones. I have a couple questions maybe jimandami can answer:

On the race website, they suggest duck taping your shoes to your feet. Have you ever seen anyone do that? I assume they mean around the ankles?

I know every race and the level of dirtiness is going to be different depending on the weather, obstacles, etc, but I keep seeing photos of people with their entire faces covered in mud. Is it common to get your face dirty or is that more people goofing around? I know it's called a mud run for a reason, but what I'm concerned about is getting mud in my eyes while wearing contacts. I'm wondering if I should try to attempt it without contacts.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble.

I don't mind at all. I am glad you jumped in. As for the shoes, I am not speaking from experience, but from information I have gathered. A couple of websites I read stated not to duck tape your shoes. They said that the tape gets loose and then becomes a hassle as part of it hangs untaped(because once it does it is so dirty, the adhesive is gone.) Also, the tape decreases the traction you can get with your shoes. Again, I have never done this, but it sounds like good advice and I am going to take it.

Also, they suggest simply tieing your shoes REALLY well, and when you go into mud, put the toe in first, not the heel. Putting the heel in first increases the chances of getting the shoe stuck.

I am excited. I have a friend going with me and not I am one month away from the race!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Thanks for the input everyone. Good to know contacts shouldn't be a problem. I'm going to pass on the duct tape and hope for the best.

EMHDad - I hope you enjoy your event!