Gettin' Down and Dirty

This year I've ran a few 5k races. I enjoy doing them and always feel a sense of accomplishment afterward because I have NEVER been a runner. When I heard friends signing up for the Irvine Lake Mud Run, I was quick to join them. I thought it'd be fun and a different take on the 5k. We came up with our crazy costume idea... trucker theme! (Think Larry the Cable Guy). We showed up on race day sporting flannel shirts with cut off sleeves and pink trucker hats. 

I present to you...

The Mud Flaps

 The first mud pit. It wasn't  too deep. But you definitely get a feel for what's to come. The second you step into the muddy water, your shoes fill up.

Me taking the easy way out and running down the slope instead of sliding down it.

 

 Of course we had to pose in a mud pit.

I was afraid there were going to be walls 8+ feet high that we'd have to scale over. (I couldn't do it back in junior high during PE class nor have I tried since). So I was pleased to see only these waist high walls. 

I think this is what they call the "shoe sucker pit". It certainly felt like I was going to lose a shoe. After my first step in and trying to take another step I immediately fell to my hands and knees. 

Another mud pit. I was trying to get through the run without getting as dirty as possible. But my friends weren't having it. 

We finished! Go Mud Flaps!

Here are some pictures from the event photographer Brightroom:

Going down the giant slip n slide. This was right before I went off the tarp and scrapped my upper thigh/ butt on the dirt/ mud.

Our team finishing strong!

There were a lot of scrapped body parts, mud in all different places, one bloody nose, but lots of laughs and tons of fun!

My goal for the upcoming year is to run more 5k's as well as these obstacle type races. Some that have interested me are the Beach Palooza and the Gladiator Rock N Run.

Time to step up my training.