MUD Run 2010

This was my first race since moving here to South Carolina. Running has been a little spotty. Trying to find a groove with the different schedules of everyone is tough. Several groups of people form church were running in the Mud Run, but all the teams filled up and I didn't know anyone at the time of registration (July) that could run with me (it's a 4 person team) So it was looking like I would have to wait until next year. Well, unfortunately my friend ended up getting an injury this summer and wasn't sure she'd be ready by race day, so I stepped in to take her place. What are friends for?!

Let me just preface the pictures with, this race was dirty!!

Here we are waiting for our last teammate. 

Aren't we so clean looking? Oh, just you wait!

So off we ran into the morning... not knowing exactly what was waiting for us on the trails. I think if some knew, they would have turned back. 

Every year the Greater Columbia Marine Foundation hosts the largest Mud Run in North America. The race attracts thousands of people from all over the Southeast and beyond. The USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run is over 4.5 miles, and has 32 obstacles that have to be crossed by each team requiring team work and a lot of determination. The 4.5-mile course is an all-terrain race conducted on dirt roads, improved and unimproved trails through the training area. These trails include mud holes, walls, trenches and other obstacles that require swimming, crawling, climbing and jumping. Some people come to compete, but many come just to complete!

We were here just to complete. A team of rookie racers (I was the only one who had ever run in a race before... some, whom will remain nameless, had never run before... before they started training for this event)

 Our team post race

Mike (already sprayed down w/firehose,) James, Travis & Me

Look at the difference! Yuck!

A lot of people just trashed their shoes. This trailer was one of the places people were tossing them into. It was overflowing. The huge dumpster behind that was also filling up... also clothing items too. In the very back (behind that huge crowd of people) are the showers.

On site they had showers...they were crazy! You line up, the water started & you had 2 min to try & improve the mud situation before the water shuts off & your herded out. So you don't exactly get that clean... more just rinsed enough to not feel like a hardening statue (after multiple rounds.) Next year I might just run in a swimsuit. It might make it easier, no muddy clothes to try & rinse off. And yes, amazingly my clothes and I eventually came clean. (5 showers on site, one VERY long one at home!)

 

Over 14,000 people participated in this event. It was CRAZY, dirty, oh so dirty... and fun. I am gearing up for next year. I already have my team lined up. And YES... Devin is doing it with me next time!