Getting Dirty : Tips for a Mud Run

A few weeks back I wrote about my good clean bubble run. While getting clean and sudsy during a 5k was fun, life is about balance. Here is a recap and some tips from my recent dirty, rough, mud-caking Mud Run.

I had been looking at mud runs since January of last year. Most of them seemed intimidating, as at the time I had just started running and was in poor shape. Huff and puff after a mile, can't do two push ups kind of shape. 

One day I came across the Del Mar Mud Run, and before I could wuss out I handed over my money and prayed I would be able to run more than 2 miles by the time the race came around. Eight months later I ran it, survived it, LOVED it!

Honestly, other than continuing my typical work out routine (run 5-6x a week, cross train 3 days) I did no extra research into this type of run. That being said, here are my tips learned from experience.

#1 DO NOT WEAR COTTON! Cotton absorbs water. It will get heavy, and cause chafing. Instead wear gear that was specifically designed to be moisture wicking. This includes your socks. Feet can get chaffed too.

#2 Wear tight leggings. The mud sucks into every crevice, pocket, and cranie of your body and clothing. I wore tight capri running tights and drawstring pocket-less running shorts. I would have just wore the leggings, but I was worried about them becoming sheer when wet, and I was too cheap to buy a black pair before the race. Surprisingly, I was very comfortable and the extra shorts didn't hinder me.

#3 When it comes to your shirt, tight would be best. I wore a loose fitting, sleeveless performance shirt. While it dried quickly and felt comfortable while running, I think something more form fitting would have prevented rocks and dirt from getting under my shirt during the mud crawl parts. Every time I would swim through a mud bog the dirt would chafe my stomach. Owie.

#4 Wear trail shoes, or an old pair of running shoes. Please do not wear your awesome $150 shoes for a mud run. Please? Pretty please? The mud may or may not wash off, and is that really worth the risk?

#5 Practice at a play ground. I mean it. In a mud run you will rely heavily on your upper body strength to get through the obstacles. Monkey bars, rope swings, pull ups are all parts of mud runs. Playgrounds can supply ample opportunities to work on this. Now when I go to the park with my kids, they get a giggle out of mommy messing around on the monkey bars.

#6 Please don't tape your shoes. I know a lot of websites recommend you duct tape your shoes onto your feet and ankles.I saw dozens of runners with their tape falling off from the wet mud, and plenty of people standing on the side of the course so they could peel useless duct tape off.  Also, to me this seems like you are asking for an injury by restricting you natural movement.

#7 Bring a change of clothes, including shoes, towels, and a few gallons of water. The gallons of water are important if you are facing a long line at the showers after the race. Just wash yourself off with the gallons you brought along, camping style.

That's it folks! Come prepared and then all you have to think about is the fun! Mud runs - the most fun you will have paying to play in mud.

Bubble Run 5k: Have a Good Clean Run

Ever long for a fun run that left you feeling refreshed rather than dirty and exhausted? The Bubble Run is just that!

Using my go to resource for fun runs, Groupon, I found out about and signed up for a local Bubble Run. 

 


Run through colored bubbles in the middle of a heat wave? I'm in! 

Gabe had been asking me for days if he could run in the bubbles with me. I was worried about him being run over in the bubble bog pits and I do not own a jogging stroller. But the morning of the run I looked at that cute face and I couldn't say no. We pulled out an old graco stroller, put some sunglasses and a bandana on him, and away we went.


The run (ha, ha, see what I did there?) down: 

Distance: 5k (3.1 miles)
Fun stuff: 5 different colorful bubble bogs where a machine spews bubbles at you
Swag: Bubble run t-shirt, temprary tattoo, and a plastic visor as well as a water bottle and granola bar after the run
Bonus: Each bubble bog station had creative names such as "Ring, Ring....Yellow", "It's Not Easy Being Green", and "Rolling in the Pink". 
Bummers: Not much to do after the run

Every bubble bog would result in Gabe being completely buried. He was thrilled! We would pull the bandana over his nose and mouth before each bog, and he came through unharmed.

The bubbles were surprisingly dry. In that, you didn't slip around and once you were a few feet out of the bog you were dry. No slimy bubble residue. And on a hot summer day, the cooling bubbles felt awesome! My new official opinion is that all runners should be doused in bubbles every 1/4 mile. So, run planners, get on that. Okay?

We were left a little tye died after the run, especially our feet where the squishy bubblieness took longest to dry.

Yes, you may need a pedicure after this run. Or a manicure for all the gentlemen out there. But unlike the Color Run, this dye washed off easily in the shower.

I would do this race again in a heart beat. In fact, next year Gabe and Abby both will be running through the bubbles with me! Who knows, maybe we can even convince Trent to join us (hint, hint, wink, wink).

Thank you Bubble Run for a Good Clean Run!

Do you have a favorite fun run? Please share!! I need inspiration and motivation to lace up my running shoes five days a week.  And don't forget to follow our blog for more interesting content!

Run or Dye 5k: I Ran the Rainbow! Tips for a Colorful Run.

This May I did something I had never done before: I ran a 5k. When picking my first race, I needed something that wasn't serious. Nothing timed or competitive. Enter: Run or Dye

I'm sure you have most likely heard of a run like this in some form (Color Run, Color Me Rad, ect.). The Run or Dye 5k had a Groupon for $22, making this an inexpensive investment for a first run.

If you are unframiliar with these types of runs the gist is this: You run 3.1 miles. During your run there are 5 different color points. At each point you are pelted with Holi powder (technically Holi is an Indian holiday, and the powder is used in its celebration). 

Holi powder is colored, scented, and "technically washable". But if you do not want to sport the rainbow on your face, hair, and car for days on end you can take steps.

Tips for Your Colorful Run:

Hair:

Put leave in conditioner in your hair. 

While the color powders are fun and you will love having photos of you looking like a walking box of fruity pebbles, eventually you will want the color to come out. If you put leave in conditioner or coconut oil in your hair prior to the race, it creates a barrier between your hair and the powder. This will help all the color wash out. Remember to work it into your scalp as well to avoid long term purple scalp.

Skin:

Lather yourself in extra moisturizing body cream. The princaple is the same as the hair tip: the moisturizers create a barrier between your skin and the dye in the Holi powder.

Make sure to really work the moisturizer into the creases (inner elbows, behind knees, arm pit area, ect).

After the race, do not immediately use warm water to wash off. 

Think of washing stained clothing: cold wash only. 

Since I wasn't about to take an ice cold shower, I did a pre-wash first. I wiped down with baby wipes, which removed a huge amount of the color. Then I took a lukewarm shower, and used a loofah to remove the rest of the color from my skin.

Face: 

Waterproof makeup and moisturizer really help keep the color from staining your face. I also recommend you buy a cheap pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. 

The Holi powder can also irritate your lungs, and tastes aweful if it gets in your mouth. Wearing a bandana around your neck allows you to protect your mouth when you run through the color pelting spots.

Clothes:

Don't wear anything you love. To this day my shoes are stained. 

Car:

This is something you really need to think about. The Holi powder will be coming home with you. Unless you like the tye dye look for your car, you need to take steps to protect it. 

Wipe down with baby wipes before getting in the car. Change your clothes if possible, bagging up your colorful shoes and clothing to deal with later. 

If you can, invest in some cheap seat covers. At least put towels over the seat and on the floor. If you had people there rooting you on, remember they most likely have Holi powder on their shoes too.

Above all, have fun! If you came prepared this can be a hugely enjoyable event, with no long lasting stains. 

Enjoy running the rainbow!

 

Have you done a colorful run? Share your tips or stories!