Mud Run 5K Race Recap

This past Saturday, Katie and I competed in the Ultra Mud Run 2010. Yep, it is what it sounds like...a race that is pretty much a muddy obstacle course! We ran the 5K, and stated up front that we would stay together. I really wanted to get a photo of us traversing the mud pit side by side (engagement photo?!?!), but looks like we didn't get our timing right. However, there were some killer photos of Katie (with me in the background)!

The race was held in Lincoln this year which happened to work nicely with Katie's schedule. She got off work Saturday morning in Lincoln, so I drove from Omaha to meet her. Before leaving the house, I ate an egg and cheese sandwich. My sister was just telling me the night before how she cooks her eggs in the microwave for a quick and easy breakfast. The only time I had tried this, my eggs kind of exploded (maybe because I mixed a little water in them?), so I decided to try her way. I mixed one egg and one egg white in a small microwaveable bowl, and nuked them for 70 seconds. Perfect!

The race started later than most, so I was sure to put on lots of sunscreen. Katie said she was taking more of a Bear Grylls approach...letting the mud protect her. It was hot, but there was lots of wind to keep us feeling cool.

Pre-Race

I really expected to have a lot of fun at this race, but a few of things started to annoy me.

1. First of all, there were a lot of people on a narrow trail, so it was really hard to pass. Plus, there was the option to be a three-person tandem team, or "worms", which made passing even more difficult! I didn't plan to do this race very quickly, but my competitive self got really perturbed by the situation.
2. Secondly, one of the fun parts of the course was an option to cross a creek instead of taking the longer route around. However, when we got to the "short-cut", there was a line of people at a stand still! Even though we thought it'd be fun to wade across the creek, neither of us felt like waiting in a line to do so. Once you're in race mode, there's no going back, right?!
3. Lastly, I got mud in my eyes. This is no fault of the race course or anyone else, but it hurt like hell nonetheless. The mud pit had bungee cords stretched across the top, so you either had to army crawl below them, or lift them over your head while you crouched under. We decided to just dive right in and get dirty! A face-full of muddy water is all fine and dandy, but a contact-full is another story. I had to run the last quarter mile with my hand over my eye because it hurt so badly.

After the race, I immediately went to the car to try to get my eye/contact situation under control. Then we met back up with some friends to watch the kids' mini mud run and to take some muddy pictures.

Post Race

Finally got my eye cleared out...I can see again!

Our friend Kathy was part of a 3-person team dubbed 'prom night'...so fun!

Cole and Hallie were part of another 3-person team - they were pretty hard core.

Then we got into the 'clean up' line, where we were hosed off by local firefighters (not Katie's department.) This is when we were happy it was so hot out! There were huge piles of discarded shoes...I heard they were getting donated but I'm not sure if that was actually true.

After spraying most of the mud off of us, we did a quick change of clothes in the car, grabbed some lunch, and then headed back to Omaha.

Although I got a little annoyed at points, it was still a good time! And even with all the slow spots, we ended up doing pretty well for this race - finishing in 29:18 (a 9:26 pace) which was good enough for 7th out of 113 in our division. The things I would do differently next time are:

1. Start at the front of the pack (much less passing!)
2. Wear some cheap sunglasses to help shield my eyes, but won't be missed if they get lost/trashed
3. Get more "into" the fun-run environment. I was actually kind of mad at myself for taking it so seriously and getting annoyed when we had to wait. I'd rather be more relaxed and just have a good time. Maybe dress in a crazy costume like some of the other runners or have a couple of beers ahead of time (don't look at me like that...the race didn't start until 11:00. )
4. Bring my nephews - I think they would love it!

Well, it was nice to get a little break from marathon training with this fun run. I don't particularly care for 5Ks (I prefer longer, slower races), but I think it was a good distance for this one. Once Katie realizes that she's faster than me, I'll leave the 5Ks up to her. Although it's fun to run together, it's also nice to have someone cheering you on from the sidelines. And then I won't have to worry about my competitive side getting the best of me.

Do you race? What distance(s) do you like? Do you like "fun runs" or something a bit more competitive?