Just the other week, I started seeing some new ads coming up on some of the pages I visit. Intrigued by the name and location on the ad, I clicked on it only to find it was yet another incarnation of some type of mud run or obstacle course type event.
The race that appeared in the ads was the Mud Dog Run and there is one near my hometown of Deep Creek Lake. Being the dog lover that I am, I thought maybe it was actual trail run that you can do with your dogs where you get all muddy - like the Dirty Dog 15K. Nope, looks like Mud Dog Run is just another event that looks like it has manufactured mud.
 |
| Real Mud. |
- Running road and trail races has turned me into a running snob
- I'm old and boring and have no idea how to have a good time
- I'm too weak and therefore afraid of these events.
Half of these events aren't really related to running since they are more focused on the obstacles. I get that. I see the appeal and why they are marketed to the masses. The races are marketing to a new breed of weekend warrior type individuals which I suppose is a good thing. It gets the US population moving. I'm all for that.
However, my thought is if I wanted to participate in some hard core event, I'd pick something a bit more...umm...natural? One where the challenges weren't travelling around the country packed up in semi-trucks waiting for the next stop to set up, execute and tear down. Isn't that more like and arena rock show concert? Wait...half the time, that's what these are, I forgot.
What seems challenging and natural to me? Maybe SavageMan for those into triathlons (I have no interest in triathlons though), Megatransect for a trail event or really any trail event of any distance depending on your ability. The list could go on and on, it just takes a little research.
 |
| Natural Obstacle. |
I'm not necessarily opposed to the 'series' aspect. I posted the giveaway for The North Face Endurance Challenge because I actually felt I would like the race. I'm not a complete sell out. The mud there would be real.
Case #2 - I have no idea how to have a good time.
I will admit that I'm a little boring. I like routines and schedules and am a homebody through and through. I'm certainly not the life of the party. So, maybe these events just aren't my scene. However, I do not have anything against people who want to wear costumes and have a good time. They can still kick ass. When I signed up for Ragnar PA last year, I was pretty sure it wasn't really my thing. But, doing it as an ultra still sounded like a challenge and I embraced the idea and went with it. It was a challenge and I had a good time. At the same time, it ended up still feeling too commercial for me so I doubt I'd do another one.
Case #3 - I am a weakling who would fail at one of these events and am therefore frightened.
I'm a whopping 5 feet tall. I don't exactly have killer upper body strength. But, I'll still be ballsy enough to say I think I'd be able to complete one of these and I don't think it would be the hardest event I've ever tackled.
Obviously I've never participated in any of these races. However, the flashy websites, built in online stores filled random products and videos claiming the hardcore status turns me off. Money making enterprises marketing to the masses generally turns me off. Warrior Dash, Spartan Race, Tough Mudder
Dirty Dash, Ultimate Mud Run, Mud Warrior...I'm pretty sure the list could go on and on because they seem endless and that's the list I came up with in a 3 minute search.
What are your thoughts, yay or nay to the mud runs? Want to convince me to change my opinion?
I've done a Warrior Dash and it was "fun" but it wasn't a run. It was just like going to hang out with friends (and drink?) for an afternoon and ours didn't even have normal mud, it was cow shit, so that was fun.
ReplyDeleteI'll never do another one, but I don't regret trying one. I think stuff like Tough Mudder is dumb because of the high chance of injury. I can't stand the thought of taking time off running as it is, so I'm sure as hell not doing something dangerous just to feel a rush.
I'm with you on this one; my view is that there is very little actual running in these races. I race because I like to run, so I just don't think I'd enjoy it. What I "get" even less, though, is the Color Run. What the heck is the point? You run a 5k and people throw colored chalk on you? Why?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on the Color Run. I watched their little video and thought...what??!?
DeleteI'm so with you on the Color Run! What is the point? However, I will admit that I did sign up for a glow stick night race in Chicago this June. But it looks like an actual race.
DeleteYeah same here no thank you on the mud run and no thank you on the color one....
ReplyDeleteNo mud runs for me. I am wayyy too clumsy for that shit.
ReplyDeletei still haven’t done one either. and not really sure they are my thing. sadly, i hate getting dirty :)
ReplyDeletei did the warrior dash last year (in a miss piggy costume) and had a lot of fun.
ReplyDeletenext weekend is the tough mudder (11m trail run with 20 obsticals in the poconos) should be a little harder!
Like you I like that it gets people moving. But also like you, I just don't think it's for me. People keep asking me to do them and I have no desire. They seem risky. And honesly, I would rather get muddy from the trails, like you said.
ReplyDeleteI didn't care for Ragnar much either. Partially because I was having a rough month, but it was just too much. I felt like I was faking enjoyment the whole time. That doesn't mean I might not try it again thoug.
i have to admit i'm guilty and wanted to do a warrior dash, but just for the heck of it with friends. to get muddy. but i didn't know they 'made' the mud. that's lame. i do see your point. that's how i feel about the 'rock 'n' roll marathon series'. too commercial for my taste.
ReplyDeleteNay, but that's because I am a wimp who does not like to go out of my way to get dirty. I really hate the feeling of mud on my legs, so doing a race where the point is to get muddy? No thanks. Also, all I think about it how much of a mess it will make of my washing machine to wash the muddy clothes.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way w/ the whole not knowing how to have fun things anymore, too. I like my schedule and I am a home body. I could never do Ragnar because I also like my sleep!
I completely agree. But, damnit, I still want to do one. Just once. LOL
ReplyDeleteI am with you, Abbi. I thought about doing a Warrior Dash last year just to try it but decided not to and am glad I did. I do want to do a Ragnar and am planning on it for this year but I'm not sure how that will go either...
ReplyDeleteThe more races I do, the more I love the small ones. This weekend there are only 26 people in my event. Woo hoo!
Oh! And I'm only 5'1" so yay for being the same size! ;)
I totally agree! They are way too commercialized. In fact, even some of the bigger races feel like that to me, like they are just interested in advertising and so people want to run them because they are well known...but they are not even as much fun!
ReplyDeleteI am actually running a relay race in a couple weeks and I don't think it's my thing, but thought I had to try it at least once. But we had our team conference call yesterday and I think that people are totally not doing the running thing for the same reasons as I am. They want the party, the social part of it, with less running and more people (they talked about 6 mile legs being long, and yes, I know I sound like a snob). I am thinking, I just want to run, not worry about driving a van from point to point with a bunch of people who are worried about whether or not they are going to get a chance to charge their iPad in the car!! Phew.
So, um, the short answer to your question: NAY.
No, wait, I am not done. It's kind of like when your favorite dive bar gets "discovered". You used to be able to go, listen to some Journey and have a beer in silence and now, a bunch of frat kids playing Lady Gaga, doing shots and playing beer pong have taken over.
These events do hold a bit of interest for me because I like the idea of testing my physical limits in other ways than how far and how fast I can run. But I'm also a shorty so some of the obstacles do worry me. And beyond that I just don't like getting dirty. So right now I don't ever see myself doing one of these events.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd only want to do a tough mudder - where everyone HAS to help each other and time isn't a factor....otherwise toss me out in the real mud - I'm already looking at trail shoes :D
ReplyDeletePersonally all of these mud/obstacle runs aren't for me, but I definitely see the appeal of them, especially for people who are more into being "macho" than running (like some of my guy friends). I have done one obstacle race (it was a local "haunted" obstacle race last October, not part of a series), and I turned my ankle funny jumping off of the first obstacle (and tall stack of hay bales). When I realized these obstacles could sideline me from what I actually enjoy (running), I decided that would be my last obstacle race, at least for now. Maybe someday I'll get burned out on just running and will need to mix it up. But for now I just want to run.
ReplyDelete