I just completed my second 5K of the year and well, this one was different. This is no ordinary race but one with obstacles and it definitely lives up to its name. (~45 min. vs. last week’s 33 min. normal 5K)
Check it out the official website here.
Below is a small map of the race course with the obstacles noted. The larger map has a description but they won’t do justice to the ridiculousness that is the Mud Dog Run.
View Larger Map
Now that you have an idea of the race here’s a quick list of notes from my experience:
Favorite Obstacle: Climb the Tercel
Definitely that beat up Toyota Tercel on the back side of the course. I chose the bumper to seated roof landing, and slide down the back windshield and trunk method. Effective but I’ll probably have a bruise.
Favorite Obstacle (Runner-up): Mystery Obstacle #2 – Massive slip-n-slide
This was especially refreshing after the completely ridiculous obstacle that wins my least favorite.
Least Favorite Obstacle: Mystery Obstacle #1 – Pit of Flour
Yep, you read that right. A pit of white flour through which you had to roll or crawl through due to bungie cord roof about 2 feet above the pit. You’re already soaked so being covered in flour is not pleasant. All I can say is that this obstacle alone almost gave the slip-n-slide the favorite obstacle title.
Tip #1
Try to space yourself out a bit from large groups. Each obstacle is a bottle-neck of sorts. The more difficult the obstacle the longer the backup and wait to get through it. Spacing out for the quicker obstacles will keep you moving.
Tip #2
Go with a couple friends or make some friends during the wait for the race to start. Running with someone, and this is coming from a guy who is usually a solo runner for races, makes a huge difference when your dealing with these obstacles and the lull between each one.
Lesson of the Day
You’re going to be soaked and muddy almost immediately . . . any attempt to avoid or limit said condition is futile.
Interested in joining me next year? How about one like this in June? Let me know. The more the merrier!!
