The Top 4 Biggest Mud Run Mistakes of All Time

Let’s be honest.  Your Ruckus mud run isn’t going to go 100% incident-free.  You’ll go home with a bruise or cut, need to take three showers to get fully clean, or still be sore at work or school on Monday.  But despite the bruises, cuts and sore muscles you’ll get along the way, we both know that you’ll have a blast competing in a mud run. 

And although we can’t help you avoid every slip on the mud, we can warn you about some of the biggest mistakes a mud runner can make when competing.  We hope that these 4 mistakes will help you prepare for your next mud run...and avoid any additional cuts or bruises! 

1.      Wearing the wrong shoes

Competitors participating in a mud run are guaranteed to run on all sorts of terrain ranging from grass to mud to wood.  The need for a decent pair of athletic shoes cannot be overstated.  Do not use the same pair you wear to cut the lawn just because they will get dirty.  We recommend a pair that has good traction and durability.  When shopping for your pair of running shoes, know that price is not the determining factor – just because they are expensive does not mean they’re the best for you!

2.      Jumping too aggressively

Every once and awhile, it feels just plain awesome to jump into a pile of mud at full force.  But be careful because Ruckus obstacles like the Mud Garden and Down-n-Outs have extremely shallow depths. If you jump in forcibly feet-first, your shoes may hit the bottom of the pit very quickly and you might get stuck.  From there, you will probably pull your foot clear out of your shoe trying to move (good luck getting that one back!).  Be cautious when entering the mud pits and then work up your momentum once you are established in the muddy mess (another tip is to slide face first through the pits...sometimes it’s the fastest and most effective way!). 

3.      Starting too fast

This is especially important for those brave enough to test the Champions heat, our 4-mile course.  This is the most competitive division, but it is not won in the first quarter-mile.  You will start in waves, and trust us when we say there is no reason to have a collision with another RuckStar in the first thirty seconds.  If you are looking to break records, do so after the first obstacle when runners are more spread out.  Pacing yourself is crucial!  We don’t want to have to peel you off the ground 100 yards from the finish line!

4.      Not planning ahead

Ruckus Boston may be two months away, but spots are already filling quickly!  We know that competitors like to sign up with family, friends and co-workers to compete as a team, but that only works if you all sign up in the same heat.  In order to do so, you need to get on the ball now!  Plus, it’s important to start training at least a month or two before your big race day. 

It may be important to show up to your mud run with an open mind and maybe a Band Aid or two, but we promise you won’t be disappointed!

Terrain Training: Tips for Running on Grass, Concrete, Mud and More

When training, we get to choose which terrain to run on. Oftentimes, it can be tempting to choose whichever terrain is the smoothest and flattest of our available options (i.e. our friendly concrete sidewalks). But when it comes to obstacle races, most cover a variety of terrain throughout the competition. In order to fully prepare for and enhance the potential for success, your training needs to mimic the potential terrains you will encounter during any race. So let’s break down potential terrains:

Grass

Grass has more shock absorbency than concrete or dirt, meaning that your feet take less of a pounding during your run. More shock absorbency also means less “bounce” while running, which means you won’t run as fast on grass compared to a more solid surface. Grass can be fun to run on, but it’s also important to watch out for holes or changes in terrain that can be hidden by the grass. A sprained, twisted or even broken ankle is a devastating injury around race time! 

Concrete

Concrete is far-and-away the most common surface runners choose to train on. But remember that concrete, for all its accessibility, can have detrimental effects in the long-term. Extensive research shows that extended running on concrete surfaces can lead to serious issues which impede a runner’s ability to perform at the level they desire. The hardness of the surface provides repetitive, unforgiving shocks to the foot which can affect the entire body. While concrete is certainly a viable option for training, it should be balanced out with other terrains.

Dirt

Dirt trails provide the happy middle between concrete and grass, providing just enough shock absorbency to reduce impact on the feet, while maintaining enough hardness to allow runners to keep pace. When you’re running a lot during training, it’s important to choose a surface that provides this level of “give” because long-term exposure to unforgiving surfaces will take a toll on bones, joints, tendons and muscles. Additionally, running on trails provides a way to interact with nature in an established way without having to worry about twisting ankles (dirt can’t hide holes the way grass can).

Mud

Finally, perhaps the most difficult “terrain” to run on (or in, for that matter) is mud.  Obviously, mud (like what you’ll encounter during our Down-n-Outs) is known to slow runners down tremendously.  What’s our best tip for running through mud?  Tie your shoes tight and use the power that your legs have to wade your way through murky water and slippery mud.  We recommend being cautious though—mud can trip you up pretty quickly and could lead to a mud run injury.  Be safe and have fun when it comes to running on (and through) mud—even when training! 

Training for a race, event or competition means more than running on the same surface every day until the big day arrives. Put a lot of thought into your training so you can not only preserve your body, but so you can also gain exposure to a variety of terrains. That way, you’ll be fully prepared for whatever comes your way!