Top 5 Reasons to Love Mud Obstacle Courses

Regardless of your personal relationship with running, you can toss it out the window when it comes to Ruckus.  Don’t get us wrong—we love running.  But why stop there?  As long as you don’t mind dirtying a t-shirt and a pair of Asics, come off the beaten path and join us.  Consider why mud obstacles courses take fitness and fun to the next level.  We’ll make it easy on you and give you the top 5 reasons everyone should love a fun mud obstacle course race:

1. Escape the monotony of an ordinary road race.  Sure, you can find a 5K-road race to run just about any weekend.  But how often can you find a two-to four-mile course littered with more than 20 large-scale obstacles?  Instead of a few right and left turns through residential neighborhoods, you are forced to pull yourself across Gorilla Bars, climb over Nose Bleed Nets and either sprint or swim through the Mud Garden (just to name a few of our Ruckus obstacles).
2. Compete as an individual, team or family.  Although every competitor is timed individually, we encourage you to participate with friends, family and co-workers.  As long as you are willing to sacrifice a few seconds more to your final time, you may even stop to enjoy watching a loved one struggle out of our deep, muddy craters, called “Down-n-Outs.”
3. Push your mind and body to the limit.  Naturally, the Ruckus course is loads of fun, but we also acknowledge the competitive aspect of any race.  That’s why Ruckus provides the best of both worlds.  For the die-hard competitor, we offer the Champion’s Heat, which features a second race consisting of the top 10% of men and women finishers from earlier in the day.  Those who qualify for the Champion’s Heat will cover a total of eight miles of terrain for the day.  Now that’s a challenge many runners may be looking for.
4. Enjoy courses designed for various fitness levels.  Our mud obstacle course allows almost anyone to compete.  We have events for ages 2 to 72.  For the kids, there is the Mini, which allows children of all ages to take on various obstacles all day long.  The Heater is a 2-mile race course of obstacle after obstacle.  And the Challenge race offers a four-mile course aimed at the more serious competitor.
5. Get out of your rut and into a rut!  Try something new and different.  Give your body a workout it’s never experienced before.  Come join the fun and see what the buzz is all about.  Ruckus isn’t your everyday-available workout, so take advantage of the opportunity while it’s in your area! 

We hope you’ll consider joining us on the road, or in the mud, less traveled.  Ruckus offers a little bit of everything for everyone.  So when it comes to fitness, do you just work hard?  Or do you play hard?  

The Benefits of Breaking Through Your Comfort Zone

At Ruckus, we’re all about having fun. That’s why we created our amazing mud run obstacle course. It’s a place to get muddy, get silly and laugh with the people you love. But Ruckus is also about personal challenge. They don’t call it an obstacle course just because of the stuff between you and the finish line. Obstacles are challenges that must be overcome to achieve a goal, and that often takes a tremendous amount of discomfort. Ruckus will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone. Here’s three reasons why getting out of your comfort zone is a good, even great thing:

1. You will surprise yourself.
Getting out of your comfort zone will allow you the chance to see exactly what you can do...and you may be very surprised by the results! It’s easy to settle into our day-to-day routines and convince ourselves to stay away from challenges. Disruption of regularly scheduled programming is a good thing, and will remind you of just how much you are capable of. The feeling of achievement when you cross the finish line is a memory that will last for years.

2. Discomfort will stir personal growth.
When we are living life purely to pursue comfort, we can slip into a period of internal stagnancy. New, challenging experiences are the things that help us grow as people, not chasing comfort. Unchecked comfort has a tendency to contract our sense of possibility, while periodic experiences of discomfort can help us to remember exactly how we feel when we push past normal boundaries.

3. Your doubt will lose its power.
When we aren’t consistently challenging ourselves, self-doubt can creep in silently. Before we know it, not only are we not pursuing challenges, we’re actively avoiding them. Self-doubt can be crippling, and challenging ourselves in times of doubt will keep us from becoming our own worst enemies.

Facing obstacles and overcoming challenges are two paths toward personal growth. At Ruckus, we care that you have fun, and we care that you are fulfilled. We hope you’ll join us for the challenge!

Learn more from Ruckus on Twitter! @RuckusSports

Congrats to Our Ruckus Caption Contest Winners!

Not too long ago, we asked you to be clever, witty and hilarious and participate in our Ruckus Caption Contest.  Every week, we put out a new awesome Ruckus photo and asked you to come up with a caption for it.

Thanks to our amazing Facebook fans and Instagram followers, we got some great submissions.  But only 4 could win!

Congratulations to the following Ruckus Caption Contest winners—you came up with the best Ruckus captions we’ve ever heard!

Dinah Wiegers proclaims being a trophy wife isn't as easy as it may seem...

Anna Kossen encourages RuckStars to keep up.  

Anytime Fitness of Lawrence, KS knows what Ruckus is all about. 

Kristi Sasnett knows the importance of quality girl time. 

Congrats to Anytime Fitness of Lawrence, KS, Dinah Wiegers, Kristi Sasnett and Anna Kossen!  All 4 of you have won a pair of tickets to Ruckus Kansas City on April 6, 2013!

And a big thanks to everyone who participated in the Ruckus Caption Contest.  We’re glad you had as much fun with it as we did.

RuckStar Profile: Giselle McGaw

Name: Giselle McGaw

Hometown: Blue Springs, MO

Occupation: Pre-school teacher

Favorite Ruckus obstacle: Definitely the monkey bars!  I love that obstacle because it requires a lot of upper body strength and grip and it was very challenging to complete towards end of race when I was fatigued.

Preferred race-day gear: My preferred race gear, especially if it’s hot, is a sports bra and compression shorts. Its light helps me move faster...plus I get a better tan that way...lol.

Pre-race rituals: Energy drink for sure! Post…alcohol!

Advice to future participants: Always challenge yourself! You will never know what you can do until you try it. BE BETTER EVERYDAY and never give up! The reward is so much greater when you set a goal and accomplish it.

Favorite Ruckus memory: My favorite Ruckus memory was post-race in parking lot showering with a gallon of water!

What keeps your Ruckus-ing in 2013?  I have done 3 mud runs and I love the Ruckus run! It’s my favorite  because it has better obstacles and it’s a good distance—not too short or too long.  Ruckus has a great volunteer staff cheering you on.  The layout for spectators to watch and cheer you on is fantastic! That really keeps you motivated and going strong towards end of your race ;)

When I ran this race, I was recovering from a sprained right ankle and was wearing an ankle brace. Too me, the most challenging part was getting through all the mud and climbing with a weak ankle, but I did it! At 38 years old, I continue to push my limits and enjoy challenging myself everyday! I love to compete and adrenaline is my drug!! This year, I plan on making Ruckus a family affair and have my children there watching and possibly running it with me. I recommend this race to all my friends and look forward to doing it again this year!!

Register for our next Ruckus race—Kansas City on April 6th!  

Want your Ruckus profile to be featured on our blog? Find out how here! 

Causing a Ruckus during Summer Vacation: Why Kids Benefit from Doing the Ruckus Mini

It’s here! After months of waiting and dreaming of the endless possibilities and countless opportunities it would bring, summer vacation has finally arrived. Kids everywhere are pulling out their swim suits, cleaning the cobwebs off of their bikes and waving goodbye to the long days of school.  Little do they know that this may not be a typical summer.  They may not realize that this is the summer to cause a Ruckus.   Ruckus has one of the coolest events for kids—the Ruckus Mini.  It’s a muddy obstacle course made just for kids.  Here are a few ways your child will benefit from the muddy magnificence of the Ruckus Mini:

Soak Up the Sunshine

Kids need to play outside. It’s essential. They need the sunshine and more importantly, they need the exercise. Nowadays, it’s far too easy for kids to spend an entire day sitting inside playing video games or watching television. It’s up to you to encourage and inspire your child to get outdoors. Physical activity is as important for a child as it is for an adult.  

The Ruckus Mini is perfect for this. Get your little ones out of the house and into the mud. The Ruckus Mini will have your child climbing, crawling, running and laughing.  They can run the course as many times as they want, until they’re covered in mud and exhausted from all of the fun. You benefit from knowing your child is being active and your child will gain the benefits of a day full of playing.

Everyone is a Winner

Children require a certain amount of positive reinforcement. They need that pat on the back and acknowledgment after they do something that sets them apart. The Ruckus Mini is the perfect opportunity. The course is 100% spectator-friendly which means you can cheer your child on the entire time.

But the Ruckus Mini takes it a step further.  Not only is the Mini spectator friendly, it comes with a prize for participation. Each child that plays gets a t-shirt and a medal upon completion.

Make Lasting Memories

All parents want to give their children memories that last a lifetime. Participating in the Ruckus Mini is an experience your child will never forget. The memory of crawling through the mud and running with reckless abandon through the wild and crazy obstacle course is one that will stick with your child for years and years. The memories will last far longer than it takes for them to outgrow the t-shirt they receive at the end of the run.

The Ruckus Mini isn’t just an event, it’s an experience. It’s an experience your child will want to relive again and again. Who knows?  It might encourage them to create an obstacle course of their own in the backyard. 

Ruckus is all about creating memories and inspiring action. Give your child the opportunity to be inspired.

Let this be the summer you encourage your child to get muddy and have a blast! Sign your child up for the Ruckus Mini today!

The Phenomenon of the "Adult Playground"

There is no denying the popularity of mud obstacle courses, but what is causing this new phenomenon? What is inspiring people to cut loose, get dirty and run wild through these challenging adult playgrounds? We’re here to tell you why people ages 2 to 72 can’t help but sign up for these chaotic, rambunctious, über-fantastic mud runs.  Here are the three best reasons why people love to get down and dirty with Ruckus:

Primal Instinct

Climbing, crawling, racing—it’s all a part of our animalistic nature. The instinct to compete and survive is embedded deep inside our DNA. These muddy obstacle courses give us a chance to get in touch with this primal side.

Ruckus puts everybody on an equal playing field. No longer are you a CEO or a student.  You’re an athlete participating in what can only be described as an adventure. These adult playgrounds give you the opportunity to get primal, run wild and be a muddy mess. You’ll be happier than a pig in the mud. Pun intended.

Pure Nostalgia

As children, it’s a normal occurrence to come inside covered in mud after a day of hardcore play.  As an adult, however, you don’t have as many excuses to play in the mud (apart from a mud mask perhaps).  In our opinion, that’s a cryin’ shame. But mud obstacle courses give you the chance to experience your childhood all over again.  Climb across the monkey bars, jump over the “hot lava”, run across the playground, repeat. Sound familiar?

As adults, we need to maintain that imaginative, child-like mindset that we seem to be so fond of.  Ruckus allows us to play. It appeals to the inner-child in each and every one of us. So go ahead— experience the feeling of dried mud on your skin and the excitement of running with reckless abandon. Ruckus is recess from your everyday adult life...and who doesn’t love recess?

Positively Unique

We all strive to be healthy and fit, but let’s face it; running can turn into quite a snoozefest after awhile. Adult playgrounds (like Ruckus) add excitement and fun to the normal marathon routine. Ruckus is the edgy and unique cousin of the marathon (the one you want to hang out with at family reunions). While mud obstacle courses are challenging, even to the fittest people, they’re still undeniably entertaining.

When was the last time you were smiling as you were running? After viewing many of the pictures from Ruckus, it’s obvious that the people who are running it can’t help but enjoy it.  What’s more; Ruckus lets you run with the entire family. With a Ruckus course for every member of the family, anybody can participate in an event.  Even the kids are sure to remember Ruckus for the rest of their lives.

Now it’s our turn to ask you.  Why do you run in mud obstacle courses?  Why do you cause a Ruckus?  

Ruckus St. Louis Sets Record for Most Shoes Donated to Barrel Aid

I’ve never had an experience quite like this before. 

I’m being dunked multiple times in thick, cool mud.  I’m balancing on swinging ropes.  I’m climbing up muddy walls.  I’m sliding down Mount Ruckmore.  And finally, I’m gently being placed on a tarp with other mud-stained friends.

Yes, I’m a shoe, and yes, I survived Ruckus St. Louis with you.

At first, I was upset that you gave me away.  After all, we’ve been through a lot together—the cool nightly runs, the endless treadmill jogging, the intense agility training.  Through it all, I have stuck by your side.  And to hear that you were giving me away after one of the most chaotic mud runs of our lives made me feel sad and a bit betrayed.  But then I learned about where I was going.  And now, I’m happy.

Because of your big heart, you decided to donate me to an organization called Barrel Aid after we competed in Ruckus St. Louis together.  I have quickly learned that Barrel Aid donates used muddy shoes (just like me!) to schools in Haiti.  And now, 381 other pairs of shoes and I are headed to Haiti to make the world a better place.

Not only are we doing some social good, but we are breaking records too!  My 381 new friends and I broke a record during St. Louis Ruckus—it was a record donation for Barrel Aid!  I would give you a high-five if I could, but I don’t have hands.  Instead, I’ll just smile and drive away with my new buddies and reminisce on the memorable Ruckus experience that you and I shared—even though I was completely blinded the whole time with mud.  

Thank you for donating me, you Ruckstar.  After sticking by your side, I am looking forward to making a difference in someone else’s life now.  Good luck to you—and good luck to the next pair of shoes you decide to put through the ringer!

Follow Ruckus on Twitter! @RuckusSports

Boston, are you up for the challenge?  Let's see if you can beat St. Louis's shoe donation to Barrel Aid!  Bring it on! 

Congratulations to our Facebook Photo Contest Winners!

We were overwhelmed by the crazy, muddy and downright hilarious pictures that you all submitted for the Ruckus St. Louis Facebook Photo Contest.  We’ll be honest—choosing just 5 winners was a challenge!  But we have narrowed down our top 5 pictures and are awarding our winners with a free registration to Ruckus St. Louis 2013:

Josh Foster: Starting them out young...3 year old Ruckus. I was told he did the Mini ~25 times! 

Kelly Lepert: This is a "before" photo of the Tootoo girls of St. Louis for the Photo Contest. 

This is the is the "after" photo of the Tootoo girls of St. Louis for the Photo Contest. Notice they are still friends!

Lara Embree: Team Ruckin' Awesome rocked the Ruckus. It was the first time for all of us and we all finished! We love the mud and can't wait until next year!

Alex Paz: Photo Contest: Midwest Viking member Kevin Johnson washes the mud off of team mate Janice Gibbs Brown to reveal a fitting quote.

Niki Hoerner Gomez: My favorite part of the Ruckus is seeing the smile on my sons faces when they finish the mini! (4 yr/ 2 yr)

How can you claim your prize?  We will contact you via Facebook message with information about how to claim your free ticket to Ruckus St. Louis 2013—so check your Inboxes!

A huge thanks to everybody who submitted photos into the Ruckus St. Louis Photo Contest—we hope you cherish all the muddy memories.  Until next year, St. Louis...

Follow us for more information! @RuckusSports