I have done three Muddy Buddy races (www.muddybuddy.com). I have done a sprint triathlon. I have even backpacked the Grand Canyon, but I would have to say that the Muddy Watters, Bump and Run (www.jeffwatters.com/bump_run_trail_series.html) was the greatest test of my overall fitness. It is by far the meanest, nastiest, and most enjoyable 5k run I have ever done.
The race starts off with all the runners completing 100 mountain climbers, followed by 100 scissor kicks. After that I was off. Around the very first bend is a semi-steep hill. It would be no problem if we were running up the hill but instead we had to bear crawl up it. I was only 5 minutes into the race and I was already panting and my heart was racing.
After the bear crawl, things settled down slightly and turned into a challenging trail run with one very steep down hill climb. Most of the runners in front of me were holding onto trees and baby stepping down the hill. I decided on a different approach. I simply lifted my legs high and let gravity to the work for me. I bounded down the hill with the speed and grace of a gazelle, passing over a dozen competitors in the process. This put me in the lead spot of what I’m calling the semi-athletic group. The athletic group was much faster and I quickly lost sight of them, so it was up to me to make sure my little group didn’t take a wrong a turn.
Following the orange flags I ran through the woods until I came to the Clinton River. This was the location of our first river crossing. I hopped into the river and started making my way across the waist deep water when the current swept me off my feet. This turned out to be a blessing, for I realized I could use the current to my advantage. By swimming the breast stroke I was able to make it across fairly quickly, increasing the gap between me and the runners behind me.
Then came more trail running which was made a little more difficult by my water-logged clothing and the squishing of my shoes in the mud created by the athletic group. I wasn’t on the trail too long before I came to the swamp. “Do we really have to cross that?” I asked myself while staring at terrain that made me think of the Florida Everglades. Seeing the athletic group struggle and stumble through it, was answer enough, so in I jumped, but not before hearing the warning about barbed wire lurking on the far edge. The water started off knee deep but got deeper real fast. I was soon trudging through chest deep water, banging my shins on sunken logs with every step. After hitting the 20th fallen tree, I decide to try my swimming technique and it worked…well swimmingly. Like a water spider I glided over the dangers hidden in the water and made my way across with only six bloody gashes on my legs.
While swimming in the murky waters I noticed that some of the athletic group were swimming towards me. When I reached the other side I found out why. We were to run to the top of the hill, do 20 squat jumps, and then head back down and cross the swamp again. This is when I decided that someone really doesn’t like me. Up the hill I went, I’m pretty sure I saw Bear Grylls while I was up there. 20 squat jumps later I was back down the hill and gliding across the swamp again. The going was easier this time, but I think I felt something taste my leg.
After leaving the swamp, there was a nice flat open trail to run on, and in the distant I could see the last runner of the athletic group. Hey I may be able to catch up to them. So I picked up the speed slightly and ran. After about 100 yards I fell into a nice running groove, and I was feeling pretty good. Unfortunately I was so into my groove that I stopped looking for the trail markers and ran right by it. It wasn’t until I hit the road a quarter of a mile later that I realized I was no longer going the right way. After spouting a few swear words, I turned around and went in the other direction until I found the flag. I was once again running through the woods and about to turn right on the path when I heard someone shout from my left:
“Do you see a flag over that way?” 10 feet in front of me was indeed a flag.
“Yep, right here,” I replied to the guy, who then turned around and shouted. “IT’S OVER THIS WAY.” This made me feel a little better about getting lost. At least I wasn’t the only one. I then ran through the woods for a bit, being very aware of the orange flags at ever step, when I came upon the river again. Sitting on a fallen tree with a smile reminiscent of the Cheshire cat was Jeff Watters. He instructed me to walk on the tree to where he was sitting then jump in the river. When I told him about my missing of the marker, he responded with “Man, you were way off.” Now I was feeling crappy about it again.
Sulking, I jumped into the river and panicked slightly when I went under and never touched the bottom. Swimming to the surface, which is not that easy in running shoes, I shook off the disorientation and swam to the other side of the extremely fast moving water.
On the other side was more trail running before coming to the sledding hill. At first I was worried about more bear crawls but I saw people running up it so I thought “No sweat. It’s steep but I can muscle through it.” It was at this point that the volunteer informed that I will be running down and up it, FIVE TIMES. I practically crapped myself. Then she also informed me that after each uphill run, I will be doing 10 burpees. “SON OF ……”
The first hill wasn’t too bad, and I did the burpees with good form, but by the last hill I was practically walking and my burpees were more of a cross between a toe touch and body collapsing to the ground, but I struggled through.
After the hill, was a short jog to the finish line where I was reward by the smiling faces of my family, some delicious soup and the best damn brownies I’ve ever had.
In martial arts there is a term called “shugyo” which is the forging of the spirit through hard physical and mental training. By cramming military boot camp, hiking the everglades, and climbing Everest into a kick in the gut 5K race, Jeff Watters has touched on that concept.
I have already signed up for the race in July.
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