Run, Kat, Run - Do What in MUD?

The Rugged Maniac is an Obstacle Course 5K, in MUD!  There are 25 obstacles that you have complete while running a 5K.  I ran the race in Paoli Peaks, IN on the ski slopes, so it was up and down and up and down the slopes.  Some places running was impossible it was so steep! 

Some of the obstacles included: a mud pit with barbed wire over your head, iron rings to cross, seesaws covered in mud, walls to climb, fire to jump, creeks to cross, and so MUCH MUD!!!  To me it seemed like they put the easier obstacles first and they progressively got harder.  The first obstacle was a giant mud pit about knee deep that you had to walk through—several lost shoes in that one!  Then we went to walls to climb and mud to army crawl through.  The last obstacles were hard!  There was a 12 foot wall with 2 steps, needless to say you needed help to get over it.  And then there was the “wall” that was straight up covered in slimy mud.  The idea is that you get a good running start, run up the wall, catch the top ledge with your hands and hoist yourself over.  I tried two times and got so close each time but slid right back down the wall each time, making the bruise on my hip bone get larger and larger. 

It was fun!  It was muddy!  It was everything I had hoped for!  I have the bruises to prove it!  

Mighty Titans - Kids Mud Obstacle Race - Review

This is the second year in a row our kids have participated in the Mighty Titan race in Crestwood. My kids love their races! These races are kid-size version of the Rugged Maniac or other mud-obstacle races.

  There are several start times the day of the race. If you are not an early riser, you can still participate. You need to arrive about 20-30minutes before your start time to check-in. Here, they will give out the t-shirt, write his/her favorite number on his arm,  and offer the eye black to make you look and feel tough. When it is your time to race, everyone lines up and listens to Coach Nicole to start. The race is about 1.5miles with over 14 obstacles. The parents were able to run along with the kids to cheer them on which made the race fun for the whole family. There were volunteers at the obstacles for supervision and help like at the zip line and taller walls.
 My middle son, Rooster, is 4 and the youngest age geared for the race. Some of the obstacles were a bit more challenging for him as compared to my 6 year old who just blew through most of them. 

When Rooster went through the first mud area, it went up to his thigh which scared him a little, so he ended up going on the edge of the mud instead of directly through the middle. He was still able to get muddy, but not feel like he was in quick sand. Besides the sludge mud puddles and zip lines, there were cargo nets, tires, monkey bars, balance beams, slack rope, creek crossing, tube crawling, and wall climbing obstacles to conquer.
 At the end, they each received a Mighty Titan bracelet, water, and a banana. They also had the option to run it again if they wanted that day. My 6 year old was ALL over that of course! To top it off, a fire truck was there with the fire fighters hosing off the muddy runners.
 The price of the races is comparable to what you would expect for a road race and increases as the race gets closer. They are currently offering 3 races for $75 which is a pretty good deal. There are several more races being offered through September. One is next weekend in Prospect, so be sure and check it out!

Race Report: Waterfront Challenge!

Where has June gone? Summer has officially arrived along with the heat! Hope you are staying well hydrated and enjoying the hot weather from such a long, cold winter we had!

My husband and I recently participated in our first evening race - the Waterfront Challenge. This is very much a social, fun race. It is a 5K urban obstacle race that was held on Saturday, June 21 at the Waterfront Park near downtown Louisville. We bought a living social deal for $35 back in winter to run it. The longer you wait to register the higher the price goes just like any other race, so best deal is to sign up early for it. The first heat started at 6:30pm and one every 15 minutes or so thereafter. Around 10pm or so they had a dance party for all the participants which we missed so we could get back to our 3 kids at home with the babysitter.

This was my 3rd obstacle race, but first non-mud run. Compared to the other obstacles races, this race had lots of pluses: free parking, short lines for packet pick-up, I had no waiting at any of the obstacles, immediate times posted, 2 water stops, mile markers, and marines at several challenges cheering you or 'ordering' you how to do the challenge. This race was easy to run as fast or slow as you wanted.There were about 830 finishers so plenty of people around the course to chase or talk with depending on how you wanted to race.

The course reminded me of my cross country running days -  lots of short step hills, different terrains to run on - with obstacles thrown in here and there.  The obstacles - such as potato sack jump, tire carry, trailer bed crossovers, car crossovers, pushups, cornhole, ammo boxes carry, picnic table crossing, and of course the largest inflatable water slide I'd ever seen- were fun and broke up the running.

At the end of the race they handed you a medal, cut off your timing chip, had water, and 2 energy bars for you. It was just the right amount of stuff. I'd rather keep the race simple and the price affordable. The race is for every level runner or walker looking for a fun race.

Already looking forward to doing the race next year and hopefully recruiting more people to try it out!

After the race! Thanks to Waterfront Challenge, I was able to score an extra medal for my I Run 4 Buddy in Arizona! Check out http://www.whoirun4.com/ for more information on I Run 4 and get matched with a buddy!

Fit with Friends: Relay Races, Multi-Day Bike Rides

And like that, it is post Christmas.... Hope you had a great time with family and friends celebrating and catching up! 

Why not recruit your friends and sign up for a relay race or a multi-day bike ride?! It is a great way to hang out with your friends while getting your FIT IN! Bonus you can hold each for accountability to start the year off.

Here are some nearbyish events that might peak your interest:

Sub-9 Death March-Norman, IN (March 9)Team mountain bike race with check points. Includes a parent/youth division

Dances with Dirt - Gnaw Bone, Indiana (May 10) - 50mile relay - 5 person relay team

Bike MS: Bluegrass, Bikes, and Bourbon - Shelbyville, Kentucky (May 17-18) - Bike 40-100miles/day

Ragnar Races - Chicago (June 6-7), Tennessee (TBA)- "Ragnar is the overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport."You and 11 of your craziest friends (or 5 of your crazier friends for an ultra team) pile into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style. Only one runner hits the road at a time. Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty. So, from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it's the perfect race for anyone."

Red Eye Relay - Bloomington, Indiana (July 19-20) - "The Red Eye Relay is an all-nighter 50 or 100 miles relay. It’s a ridiculous challenge that brings teams of runners a step away from the average run, a race that adds sleep deprivation to the already difficult task of running multiple races in one night. What goes together better than running yourself silly and staying up all night? Well, maybe peanut butter and jelly, but what the heck? The fun starts on a Saturday evening at the Upland Brewing Co. Bloomington Brew Pub (350 W. 11th St., Bloomington, IN). From there, goofballs get giddier as the course winds through some of the hilliest terrain that the midwest has to offer before a grand finale finish on Sunday morning back at the brewery."

Tri6, Tri12, Tri24 - Batavia, OH (Aug. 16) - TRI24 is the ultimate Multi-Sport experience. Athletes compete in a 24, 12 or 6 hour looping sprint course.  

Tour De Upland - Nashville, Indiana (Aug.15-17 )"30 hours of cycling (road and mountain bike routes), beer, camping, and music in Nashville, IN. Plus the toughest Century in Indiana."

Bike Trek to Shakertown - (Sept.13-15) Supporst American Lung Association - 2-3 day bike ride through Kentucky

Bourbon Chase - Kentucky (Oct. 10-11) - A 200mile relay race through Bourbon Country.
Lottery registration starts Jan 2.

Hilly Hundred - Indiana (Oct. 10-12) - "If you like a bicycling challenge that includes entertainment and fellowship with more than 5,000 cyclists from over 40 states and several foreign countries, the Hilly is for you.This three day event (with two days of riding approximately 50 miles each day) is held in the scenic hills of southern  Indiana."

Many triathlons and marathons include relays in their races too so if these above don't fit the bill check out some local tris and marathons!

TBA -
Back on my Feet - Indianapolis - 42K relay around White River State Park
Rockin' Marathon - Iroquois Park, Kentucky - 26.1m relay

If you are up to traveling to Tennessee area - check out Running in the USA website for Relays HERE

Adventures races and other non-typical road races  are great team or social races as well.

Know of others? Let me know so I can add them!