Mud Runs - People talk the talk...

michellekicks

But then fail when it comes to the follow-through...

So many times I've told friends about whatever. Most recently stand-up paddle boarding. "Oh that seems like SO MUCH FUN! I want to try it!" So I arrange for them to come to my town and rent boards and give lessons and no one wants to commit. Not ONE!

And now I'm trying to wrangle up some friends for a Spartan race... lol...
Come ON people! Don't be afraid of trying new things in front of other people! Pride is an entirely ridiculous thing. Give it up and have some fun!!

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Would you sign up for a Spartan Race or mud run? Have you done one? I want to hear your stories.

HoneyBadgerVin

I totally feel you on this! I'm currently scheduled to do Run For Your Lives in Oct alone because all 4 other people who said they'd do it with me didn't come through. But I'm used to it by now. That's why I'm happier in my life than all those flakers are. Cuz all they do is wish. I just do.

ItsPheebs

I have done a mud run! I did the Camp Pendleton 10K mud run in June. It was the MOST fun, and I highly recommend it. We didn't run for time, we ran to get as dirty as we could possibly get. :bigsmile:

But, of my team of five, only one ran it. I hear you on the flakey doodles. I won't be a team captain again (that's not the first time they've done that). They all made sad faces when they saw the pictures. :sad:

ChristinaK69

I ran 2 mud runs last year. One with my 14 year old son and one with my 18 year old. I think that was the best part is doing something with my boys. The run in Seattle was awesome. Drizzling rain, lots of mud, so many people having fun. The one in Spokane was a disappointment. Not organized and pretty dry much of the course, until you got to the end.

jturnerx

I do mud runs all the time. It's called running trails in the pouring rain.

LOL I think I have a mud phobia. I can, and have, been caked in mud and have no issues with it from about the knees on down. But crawling through it on hands, knees, stomach? No thanks.

As far as other people are concerned I don't do a lot of campaigning to get people to do stuff with me. A big part of that is that "Hey, do you want to do a 50 miler?" generally doesn't go over too well with the uninitiated. What's been more interesting to me is that as I go about just doing my own thing friends have started to quietly ask very pointed questions about ultras. It's actually been really cool to see them (six people so far) go from curiosity to signing up for their first all from just observing me. And I didn't think anyone was paying that much attention. lol

michellekicks

I do mud runs all the time. It's called running trails in the pouring rain.

LOL I think I have a mud phobia. I can, and have, been caked in mud and have no issues with it from about the knees on down. But crawling through it on hands, knees, stomach? No thanks.

As far as other people are concerned I don't do a lot of campaigning to get people to do stuff with me. A big part of that is that "Hey, do you want to do a 50 miler?" generally doesn't go over too well with the uninitiated. What's been more interesting to me is that as I go about just doing my own thing friends have started to quietly ask very pointed questions about ultras. It's actually been really cool to see them (six people so far) go from curiosity to signing up for their first all from just observing me. And I didn't think anyone was paying that much attention. lol

Yes... I get that no one is going to jump on an ultra unless they have multiple full marathons and such in their pocket. But I'm talking about all my friends who run... those who run half marathon distances and who talk about wanting to do these things - Spartan, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash... whatever. Then I say, "Okay, here's a race... let's do it!"

Dead silence.

I've had lots of non-runners see my running progress and ask about it, get back into it or take it up in the first place... that's cool! But those like me who say they want to do these things should be willing to go ahead and do them. Or stop talking about it.

MFS27

Every year a group of friends and I do the Sacramento, CA mud run on Halloween weekend. Most of us (including me) do the 5K (there is a 10K option) and it's a boatload of fun! They have a kids' run as well (1 mile) and some people dress up in halloween costumes and run in those (there are even prizes for the best costume, etc.)

If you want something more difficult, then try a Muddy Buddy race - I've heard that's an endurance/military style run.

contingencyplan

Not in a million years. Obstacle course based events look fun but the fact of the matter is I don't have the motor control to be able to do them and I struggle with being exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods.

kriselayne1

Ugh I have no friends with any interest in doing anything of the sort. I even asked my husband to do the tough mudder run and he didn't want to do it but I know he would prob really enjoy it. He runs almost daily and I think it would be a great expereince for him. He's a tough mudda so, Honey if your reading this, I think you should do this one!!! LOL ok but I wouldn't mind trying a mud race I think it would be loads of fun.

Lina4Lina

I really want to do a mud run but I'm 150 lbs overweight and pretty close to the worst shape of my life.

When I get below 200 though, its on.

LastMinuteMama

Last year for the Tough Mudder we did, we had lots of enthusiasm, about 10 sign up and 3 bail....after paying that massive reg fee! Couldn't believe it!

I just made the team for this year, we've got a few from last year and two newbies ( my cousin and her boyfriend) after hearing all about it and seeing the photos they were really interested. Yay!!!

We had the best luck recruiting friends we had made at bootcamp classes and run 5Ks with. They're already into that kind of training and it was the next natural step for them. Since Tough Mudder, our little team has done a marathon relay & another road race. We looking at a half marathon and a triathalon next. Our little group has quietly formed itself and I feel like we have an unbreakable bond now. If you can wrangle just one friend, it grows from there.

In the meantime, keep on doing the fun stuff and you'll mostly likely make new friends!

wlkumpf

see my picture! Dirty Girl Run MN!!! I had to push hard (ok, my cousin had to almost literally push me because it was uphill and i din't train right) but I did finish and felt an amazing sense of accomplishment.

You have to have some workout buddies or buddies from classes that will do thing with you. I don't think any of my normal social friends would ever do that with me. You have to love to push your limits. It is new for me! My cousins asked and I agreed so started excersizing to get healthier before trying it, and it just stuck! I love to work out now.

Doing a 5k uphill mid september. Trying to find time between group workouts to run a bit before hand this time. Plan to fill in lots more events so I have goals to work towards and hopefully get better every time!

savlov30

I have done the Warrior Dash and Foam Race. I would sign up for the Spartan Race. My new passion is mud races. I am signed up for Mud and Guts and Gladaitor Run for the month of Oct. I want to do one a month. I would say challenge yourself and go out a do it. It is so much fun. It is not like a 5k.

michellekicks

Last year for the Tough Mudder we did, we had lots of enthusiasm, about 10 sign up and 3 bail....after paying that massive reg fee! Couldn't believe it!

I just made the team for this year, we've got a few from last year and two newbies ( my cousin and her boyfriend) after hearing all about it and seeing the photos they were really interested. Yay!!!

We had the best luck recruiting friends we had made at bootcamp classes and run 5Ks with. They're already into that kind of training and it was the next natural step for them. Since Tough Mudder, our little team has done a marathon relay & another road race. We looking at a half marathon and a triathalon next. Our little group has quietly formed itself and I feel like we have an unbreakable bond now. If you can wrangle just one friend, it grows from there.

In the meantime, keep on doing the fun stuff and you'll mostly likely make new friends!

I want some friends like yours!!!

michellekicks

I have done the Warrior Dash and Foam Race. I would sign up for the Spartan Race. My new passion is mud races. I am signed up for Mud and Guts and Gladaitor Run for the month of Oct. I want to do one a month. I would say challenge yourself and go out a do it. It is so much fun. It is not like a 5k.

The one I'm looking at is the Super Spartan. It's 12k/8mi with about 20 obstacles. Not as long as Tough Mudder but more than a dash/sprint. I can't imagine doing it alone though. Need at team.

Josee76

I completed the warrior dash in July.... taking on Tough Mudder on Sunday... it's too bad you're at the other end of the country cause I'd be joining your team!!!!

DoomCakes

I'm signing up with a few friends for a mud run in September! Training to get some endurance up and see what I can do. We're doing a group competetion as the teenage mutant ninja turtles. Doubt we will place, but I'm doing it more so for the fun, experience, and to donate money to leukemia research!

mirandamayhem

NOPE!

Got a friend who loves them. Me I hate hate hate mud. Did an assault course once through mud, more than enough of an experience for me.
Paddle boarding sounds fun though!

SassyCalyGirl

I'm doing the Marine Mud Run on Sept 15th-and I cannot get any of my friends to join me either. They suck! Talk talk talk until its time to sign up! I couldn't even get anyone to join me for last months Color Run-WTH?

this is way outside my comfort zone as I HATE getting dirty but the experience looks fun-so I am suckin it up!

JBurger2066

I've done a bunch of 5K and 10K mud runs, I am doing the Rebel Race on Saturday and I'm signed up for the Spartan Beast in December. I've run most of these with my girlfriend, my dad, brother, and sister. I'm doing the Rebel Race and the Beast on my own though. I'll be doing a lot more next year too. I love these things.

DarkAngellEyes

I ran the Warrior Dash back in June and had so much fun I signed up for another one in September! I think they are a blast and really change up the typical 5k mentality. I will DEFINITELY be doing more in the future!

mellowmerlot

I challenged my friends to the Irvine mud run here in California this past spring, it happened to be on my and my friend's birthday. I said instead of wallowing in the fact I was going to be 39, I want to prove to myself age is nothing but a number. Everyone embraced it and we did it! All at varying fitness levels. I didn't run the whole thing, as it was near impossible and I didn't want to leave my sister and friend behind, but it was an AMAZING experience. I highly recommend it! I just recommend telling your team, that no one will be left behind, we did split up but there was always at least a buddy there with you.

secretlobster

I totally feel you on this! I'm currently scheduled to do Run For Your Lives in Oct alone because all 4 other people who said they'd do it with me didn't come through. But I'm used to it by now. That's why I'm happier in my life than all those flakers are. Cuz all they do is wish. I just do.

I'm doing this one in Baltimore (it's the closest one to me, I'm in CT)... Have fun!!

morgansmom02

I am doing Rugged Maniac with a team that was once 20....and it now 6. Also I am doing Mud Factor

kellicruz1978

I did my first Warrior Dash this year, it was myself and my best friend. We tried to get others to do it but they were afraid of getting hurt. Once they saw the pictures and heard our stories of how much fun we had, they all changed there minds and want to do it next year.

Mellymutton

This year I ran my first Warrior Dash, and although I am not a marathon runner (it was only 5K) it was hard work but lots of fun... and I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I got in completing something like this.

I also made a pact with my very dear friend that we would run the Warrior Dash every year until our bodies give out.

cyclingben

Im doing the Rebel Race this weekend in Dallas 2pm wave....never have done one before but i figure why not? Plus if i can sit my *kitten* on a bike seat for 6 hrs why cant i run through the mud for an hr.

caitlinlws

I've done 2 Warrior Dashes and have a third in about a month....they are so much fun and the feeling you get when you finish them is awesome!- I feel like I can do anything after that haha.

But everyone says they want to do it with me, and I always encourage them, and they never follow through and sign up...oh well, they don't know what they're missing!

sundancer1966

I am in training to do the Spartan Sprint and Warrior Dash next year. I also want to do the Run for your Lives, but they are not coming to NJ yet. Thank God my husband wants to do it with me. My friends in the area have absolutely no interest in doing it. Unfortunately, my Sister in Law who is very active lives in another state, I would love to do these with her and we could make a team.

My husband and I are running our first 5k in a few weeks, he did not think it would be a good idea to do an obstacle race as our first 5k, so we are working our way up to the obstacles.

reighvin

I totally feel you on this! I'm currently scheduled to do Run For Your Lives in Oct alone because all 4 other people who said they'd do it with me didn't come through. But I'm used to it by now. That's why I'm happier in my life than all those flakers are. Cuz all they do is wish. I just do.

I'm doing this one in Baltimore (it's the closest one to me, I'm in CT)... Have fun!!

I tried to get friends to do this too, but nobody else wanted to do the 3 hour drive. So screw it. I'm running the Baltimore run by myself.

speedyf

I signed up for a Spartan Race in May 2013. I know it's far, but that way, I KNOW I won't change my mind, I can't. Trying new things and be taking out of our comfort zone is the hardest! But I'm sure it will be fun, and all of my training is based on that race, so I'm actually doing a lot of burpees, push ups, pull ups and stuff like that! :laugh: I don't like it, because it's hard, but I do it, because if it doesn't challenge me, it doesn't change me.

Good for you for trying all that new stuff! :drinker: