5 Tips for Surviving a Mud Run

If you saw my post earlier in the week you would have seen that I survived the Tough Guy and Gal Challenge Mud Run held in Auckland. It was a fun experience although I was a bit nervous to begin with. Just in case you think it looks like something that might be fun as well I thought I’d share my 5 Tips for Surviving a Mud Run.

1. Tape your shoes

Seriously, that mud is super strong! Don’t underestimate it, I almost didn’t bother taping my shoes for this reason, but am so glad I did! If you want to complete the run with both shoes on I suggest you get some duct tape and tape those puppies on nice and tight. I put duct tape on mine, around twice and over the laces so the laces couldn’t come undone. At the end of the run the duct tape had completely gone from one of my shoes (If I hadn’t had the tape I reckon my shoe would have been gone), and the other was only just attached to me.  Even if you are wearing a crappy old pair of shoes that you don’t mind if you chuck them in the rubbish bin at the end you will be thankful if you can keep your shoes on the entire run. 

2. Dress for Comfort not Style

Yes it’s all well and good to dress up for the event and I encourage it as it is a fun run rather than a run where you go out to break any speed records (the mud WILL stop that from happening!). Just think about your choice of clothes, a low cut top is not ideal unless you want everyone to see exactly what is underneath (and if that’s your strategy go right ahead!). Loose pants are also not ideal as mentioned above the mud is very strong and the likelihood of coming out of one of the mud pools with your pants at the bottom is quite high.  If the event is held in winter I’d recommend wearing longer layers to help keep you that little bit warmer even though you will be completely saturated! Don’t wear anything you wouldn’t be happy to either loose or throw out at the end of the run as your clothes will never be quite the same again. Another tip just in case it wasn’t obvious: don’t wear white unless you don’t care that it will no longer be white at the end of the event! 

3. Hold your breath

When you go jumping or diving (or gently entering) the mud pools, hold your breath while you do so. Don’t argue, just do it!  If you remember one tip this is definitely the one to remember or all you will remember about the run is that time you swallowed a great big mouthful of water spiked with mud and cow shit! Most of the mud pools are not that deep but if you sink or get stuck and do a face plant or someone else bombs next to you, you are likely to end up with water in your mouth if your gob isn’t shut. 

4. Just Keep Running

Don’t be afraid of the mud, just keep running through it. Well attempt too as much as you can. If the mud is really deep it will stop you in your tracks and you will have to wade your way out slowly, grabbing on to anything you can to pull you either upwards or forwards. Some of the mud pools are not very deep at all and the quickest and most efficient way through them is to just keep running, it takes up a lot less energy overall than stopping and then sinking into the mud and having to claw your way out! If you do find yourself getting stuck in the deep mud try to lift your legs up nice and high while your walking through it rather than taking little baby steps and dragging your feet through the mud.  

5. Put a smile on your dial

Keep smiling, ever after you have dived into the first mud pool which is about 10 degrees colder than you expected. Even when it starts to run mid way through the run. Even when a stranger slides over next to you and pulls you down with them. Even when you don’t realise the fence beside you is electric and grab on to it to stop yourself from falling over into the mud (I didn’t get caught out by this as I saw the electric sign and moved myself into the middle of the mud so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab it, however judging by the colourful language coming from a number of people behind me, they didn’t notice the sign!). Think about the fact that you are out in our beautiful country getting to experience something that most people never get the chance to do, the fact that you are getting your heart rate up while doing so and then think about how amazing a warm shower is going to feel once you are done!

Do you have any other tips to add? Would you consider entering a mud run?