8k Mud Run - Virginia Beach

This past weekend a big group of us went down to Virginia Beach and ran the 8K Mud Run-- approx. 5 miles through deep beach sand, water, mud, forests, up and down little hills and around the military base. Probably 60% of the run was on sand and I have to say it was pretty tough. Especially provided the fact that the farthest I really ever run is up and down the basketball court. So, I'm not really in shape for this kind of long distance running. That's probably because I'm not a big fan of long distance running. Though, I have always been kind of curious of the allure these events seems to have to so many people. Since I've never participated in a running event like this, I've always had a hard time understanding why people will actually pay money so they can go run a ridiculous amount of miles, killing themselves on a Saturday, only to be sore for the next couple days. I realize you get a t-shirt and I don't want to belittle the importance of the t-shirt that memorializes the whole experience, but seriously.. I just didn't quite understand the hype. In fact, in my entrepreneurial mind I've over-simplified the whole concept and thought, why don't I call a bunch of people up and invite them over to my house where they can pay me ten bucks, I'll give 'em a t-shirt and they can run a couple miles around my neighborhood. I'll even time them.

Anyway, I really didn't get it, until this past weekend. This was the first "K" event I've ever done... surprising as it may be-- even after spending 5 years in Provo (which seems to be the capital of jogging) I never ran any of the 5Ks or 10Ks and especially not any marathons. So the "Mud Run" was my maiden voyage into the world of competitive amateur running as a hobby. And, despite the fact that I'm still sore, and I won't wear the t-shirt ever again except to do yard work or service projects (of course you have to wear it the day of the event after the race so everyone knows what you just did), I really enjoyed it. I think I'd like to do it again, or maybe even do a longer run- like a 10K or half marathon. This is crazy to hear myself talk like this.. but the competitive nature inside me makes me want to conquer another beast similar to or bigger than this one. Plus, I feel like it's really good for the mind and body to face a challenge that can seem at times like it's too great to overcome... and then when you do overcome the challenge there is a great sense of relief and accomplishment. It's an invigorating and addicting feeling. So, I guess I understand how people can get into these events and why they're willing to pay so they can run in them (even though running is quite free and you can do it almost anywhere you want).

One thing that really made a difference was the many race supporters that were standing along the whole race encouraging everyone along the way. That's something I don't mind paying for actually. Their constant encouragement throughout the race was a boost. I noticed their positive energy helped me to focus on finishing the race and forget about the pain I was feeling in my legs. So, maybe that's what the $40 really pays for. The support team out there to help you finish something you may not be able to have the will power or discipline to do solely on your own. In any case, I think I may be getting into this race craze. I'm not looking up the next one just yet, but I think I'm open to the idea of doing another event of some kind in the not to distant future. We'll see how this recovery process comes along...

Here are some pictures from the weekend and run:

When running a rigorous race like this, it's important to eat right and sleep well the night before... yeah right... I ate way too much at Olive Garden and don't let this picture fool you... we didn't get to bed till like 5AM


I was trying to get to sleep, but pillow fights, people Vin Dieseling people, food fights, dog piles, and people jumping on the beds made it a bit difficult for one to sleep, despite sleep-help devices such as these...


Can you tell we were all a bit loony and delirious? These were the most hyper of the bunch..


Preparing to run on 2 hours sleep... we were feeling pretty good


getting pumped


pre-race parking lot shot

at the starting line..
I thought we were supposed to have our game faces on..

introducing the mud pit.. where the shoes get heavier

the group jockeying for position in the mud pit..


Rob breaks free

Sarah tries to stiff-arm Rob..

Rob shows winning technique.. "high knees"

Sarah escapes Megan's wrath..

Megan was just Vin Dieseled by Blake..
by now, she's gotten used to it

looking at the sand with eyes of disdain


Upon reaching the finish line, we couldn't ditch our shoes fast enough.. Rachel and I were the "couple's team" with matching military camo-arm bands.. (they helped us run so much faster)

After we finished, we saved a load of money on our car insurance...

not really, but we took a pic with the Geico lizard anyway

Blake and I were so excited to be finished with the race we just started doing flips... though I'm not sure how we had the energy to do this...

Leap frog.. I must have been a bit delirious..

Our group minus Blake

Nice work team

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!



the next stop was the beach... it felt so good to lay on the sand that we'd be running on all morning


Treating ourselves to Dairy Queen... we totally deserved it


Knocked out.. after the mud run and a full day at the beach (where we actually got to surf too since Rob and Blake brought the boards and Croatan was going off--for Croatan)... thanks for driving Shelly!


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