Mud Running

Warrior Dash, Casa de Fruta, California 2011

April showers not only bring May flowers, for trail runners, it means mud.  Although we couldn't survive without the replenishing moisture from seasonal rain, perpetual downpours wreak havoc on trails.  In general, an isolated day of rain here or there doesn't effect trail conditions--dry ground soaks up water like a sponge.  But once the ground becomes saturated, the result is mud.

Anyone who has tried running in mud knows it's not easy.  Take one stride up a muddy slope and you'll more than likely come sliding halfway back down.  Whatever tread exists on the bottom of your shoes becomes hopelessly clogged with dirt--you have no traction to speak of.  Running downhill in mud can be particularly hazardous.  Mud is slippery!  Depending on how deep the mud is, which many times is difficult to judge, you could even risk losing a shoe.  The suction created between your shoes and the mud is extremely powerful and may be very difficult to break.

Run any distance in mud and you'll be surprised how quickly the wet earth accumulates on the bottoms of your shoes.  Those high-tech, light-weight shoes you purchased with care, are instantly transformed into blocks of cement.  It's amazing how much an inch of mud weighs.  Not only is the mud heavy, it is unwieldy and unpredictable.  Our bodies were not designed to be bottom heavy.  The added weight so far from your center of gravity throws off your balance.  With each stride, you can't predict if the mud will stay in place, or if a large chunk will release and go flying, causing uncertainty with each step.

My advice?  If it's been a rainy week, stay away from trails.  Give the sun a few days to dry the earth.  Running on trails when conditions are poor does a lot of damage, so save the trails and wait for a stretch of dry weather.

If you absolutely LOVE the idea of running in mud, you're not alone.  Mud running has exploded in popularity in the past year.  Usually consisting of a 5K obstacle course, these "mud runs" may include a cargo net, rope bridge, balance beam, mountain climbing wall, tire challenge, and/or flaming coals, but always have mud pits you must either crawl across or run through.  Upon finishing, participants are rewarded with a medal, prison shower and a beer (if they are 21 or older).  In virtually every state you can find one of these events if you are so inclined.  With names like "Warrior Dash", "Survivor Mud Run", "Tough Mudder", "The Original Mud Run", and "Down & Dirty Mud Run", mud is a guarantee, and courage is a necessity.

Assignment for the week ((don't let the number 50 scare you!)

day 1 - run 30 minutes     day 4 - run 30 minutes
day 2 - run 40 minutes     day 5 - run 40 minutes
day 3 - run 50 minutes     day 6 - run 50 minutes

LACE UP and watch out for mud, unless you've actually paid for it!