Mud Run or Muddy Run: What's your style?

When I first began running in 1997, I never would have guessed that by 2013, thousands of people every year would pay good money to run three miles or more with obsticacles, mud pits and water barriers in their way. That being said, I did grow up in the country and most of my miles, at least initially, were ran off road and on trails. After many of my runs, I would come back with muddy shoes or briar scrapes all over me, but to me that was just PAR for the course. Most people don't have an opportunity like this so mud runs and other similar events such as The Barbarian Challenge, Spartan Race, Foam Fest, and Color Runs have sprung up and are generally drawing huge crowds.

For me, a muddy run is still just that: a MUDDY run. I love to go splashing down my local trails the day after a big rain. There is definately a feeling of accomplishment after finishing an 8-miler and looking down only to see your feet and legs covered in the stuff. This is not something that I do for the purpose of getting muddy, but I do like that part of it. For me, running is and probably always will be about taking a break from it all, unplugging, and putting one foot in front of the other in relatively rapid succession. Although I do realize that running for some people is very much a social activity, for me, the 'lonlieness of the long distance runner' is alive and well. One of the beautiful things about running is the fact that it can mean so many different things to different people.

Large events such as mud runs, vampire/zombie runs, color runs, and themed runs are excellent ways for people to get in shape or stay in shape, and they generally have a very fun social atmosphere. While there are still many, many 5k's and 10k's that are all about getting from point A to point B as quickly as is individually possible, there are many more options out there now that are quite frankly making fitness fun. Many of these events start in waves and even foster a team attitude with people you dont even know. For example, if you are having some trouble getting over that obstacle, it is common for other participants to lend a helping hand to get you up and over that ten foot mud covered wall. In my opinion, these events are awesome for the fun time, social atmosphere, fitness, and sense of accomplishment that they offer to the participants.

To this day, I still have a general disdain for running on concrete sidewalks and on the side of a busy road, however that does not stop me from getting a run in. After all, any run is better than no run at all, but at least as far as events are concerned, there are now lots of options out there to get you as muddy or colorful as you want. As with any race, find one of these events, train for it, complete it, and repeat often. (When you do destroy your shoes from all the mud, go see your friendly, local running specality store and get a new pair of kicks! In Georgia, Run Fit Sports is one of the best!)Stay active, and whatever event you are doing, post your fun on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, or whatever your social network preferences are and get your friends involved! 

Happy Running!... errr.... Happy Mudding!.... wait... Happy Obstacle Conquering?

Either way, get out there and get fit!