What a Mud Race Taught Me about Myself

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you may have seen that I participated in my very first mud race a few weekends ago in Auburn. I talked about the importance of trying new things to keep yourself on your toes, and this did exactly that.



Before the race - so clean!



 

 

Thanks to Autosport Bodyworks of Opelika for the finish line photos!

It was a 5k (3.2 mile) race held at The Great American Park in Auburn, Alabama with over 20 obstacles, including multiple mud pits, a water slide, hay bales, and 10 foot walls to climb (photos slideshow here). To say it was a test is an understatement. My awesome husband ran the race with me for moral (and physical) support and I was so glad he did! It definitely helped to have a partner for encouragement.

 

Running this kind of race will help you to learn a few things about yourself along the way:

 

+Just because you're a "runner" doesn't mean a mud race won't be difficult for you! (My time was almost doubled from what it takes me to run a "normal" 5k.)

 

+It's a great test for a relationship. Need to know if someone will really be there for you? Have them run a mud race with you!

 

+If you didn't know your calves were there before, you'll definitely be able to find and feel them then next day.

 

+Wear clothes you don't care about getting ruined. When they say "mud pits" they mean up-to-your-chest-sink-holes filled with watery mud that you may or may not need to be pulled out of.

 

+There are two types of people in a mud race: the tiptoe-around-the-edge type and the hurl-yourself-in-the-middle type.

 

+You can probably jump over two hay bales, but not three (okay, maybe that's just me) and you'll need some help.

 

+Climbing over a 10 foot wall is a lot less scary than than you think.

 

+There's no feeling like finally seeing the finish line... until you see the small bonfire you have to jump over to get there.

 

+But really, the feeling of accomplishment at the end is awesome!

 

+You'll start looking up upcoming mud races in the area as soon as you get home (and get showered) because you're already pumped about doing another.

 

Watching the races was almost as fun as participating!

 

So if you've got an upcoming race (check out this website for races in your area) and you're on the fence about whether or not you want to participate, I'm just going to go ahead and say DO IT! I have done tons of races (for competition and for fun) over the years and I can say this was one of the most fun. There were participants of all ages, sizes, and anything in between and each and every one had the biggest smile on their faces crossing the finish line.

Have you ever ran in a mud or obstacle race? Do any of these resonate with you too?