The Countdown Continues: 5 Days until Ruckus St. Louis

Ruckus St. Louis is right around the corner!  In fact, our muddiest obstacle course yet will be open in just 5 days.  So what should you do to prepare for Ruckus St. Louis this week?  It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief, RuckStars, because this week is taper week!

What is taper exactly?  It’s a term that long distance runners, swimmers and bikers long to hear after an intense season of non-stop training.  Taper is what happens when practices and usual exercise literally “taper off” and allow for athletes to recover before their biggest races.

So now that you’ve been training for Ruckus St. Louis for a few months (or maybe weeks or days if you’re running the Heater), it’s taper time!  Here are our top tips for tapering just five days before Ruckus St. Louis:

• Do you last long run a week before the big day.  After that, it’s time to cut down your mileage at least 80% of what you were doing before.
• Less is more!  Five days before Ruckus, keep in mind that the less running you do, the better.  Allow your body to build up that energy that you would normally be burning during a long run.
• Resist strength training.  Allow your muscles to rest and skip your strength-training routine in the final five days leading up to Ruckus. 
• Mentally prepare by visualizing yourself hurdling over tires, swinging on ropes and climbing over walls.  The more you mentally prepare, the better you will execute.
• Eat plenty of carbohydrates before the race (like whole-grain breads, pasta and cereal) and drink plenty of water.  Try to resist drinking alcohol as it can have a dehydrating effect.
• Two days before Ruckus St. Louis, resist the urge to run.  This will help you build up that extra bit of energy that you will need to finish up those obstacle with style.  

Best of luck to you during taper and we will see you on May 5^th at the GCS Ballpark! 

Participating in Ruckus St. Louis? Check out our Facebook Photo Contest and win a free registration for the 2013 race! 

Did You Know? Mud is Actually Good for Your Kids

How many times have you wiped a child’s face, poured extra bleach into the washing machine or asked the kids to leave their shoes in the garage all in the name of muddy play?  We’re guessing hundreds.  For many parents out there, mud is a pain—it gets all over the house, it gets under fingernails and it doesn’t necessarily scream “sanitary”. 

Muddy knees? No problem!

But many studies have gone to show that mud can actually be good for your kids!  Don’t believe us?  Check out the top 4 ways you should let your kids get a little muddier than usual during Ruckus St. Louis in just a few weeks:

1.  Mud is good for your brain

According to Medical News Today, there are certain types of bacteria found in soil that produce serotonin (and for you non-geeks out there, serotonin is a key chemical to bodily functions and is a natural anti-depressant).  What does that mean exactly?  It means that dirt and mud can actually make you and your kids feel happy! 

2.  Mud improves immune systems

When kids expose themselves to mud, dirt and soil, they are actually building up their immune systems during play (and while creating a huge mess).  Expose your children to the naturally-occurring microbes in soil and they will actually build stronger immune systems. 

3.  It’s healthy to be outside

Obviously, when kids are playing in the mud, they’re not playing inside.  They’re out in the sunlight, which is obviously more beneficial than plugging in the Playstation or powering up the computer.  Studies have recently coined the term “nature-deficit disorder”, a notion that has been negatively impacting children in the tech age.  When kids don’t head outside to play, they suffer from attention deficit disorder, depression and obesity.  And to think that a couple of muddy hands could cure all of that...

4.  Adventure can work wonders

It’s been proven that kids who play outside grow faster in character development.  Children who tackle adventure tend to be more self-motivated and know how to handle friendly competition. 

Get your kids out to Ruckus St. Louis and let them enjoy the mud!  Trust us—the muddy minivan seats will be worth it.  

Calling all St. Louis RuckStars! Check Out the Ruckus Facebook Photo Contest

If you’re a social media rockstar and a St. Louis RuckStar, we’ve got the contest for you!  From May 5^th until May 12^th, Ruckus is holding our first Facebook Photo Contest—the chance for you to show off your hilarious, crazy, chaotic pictures from Ruckus St. Louis and win big! 

So how does this all go down?

We want our Ruckus St. Louis runners to upload a picture of their favorite Ruckus moment to our Facebook page.  The picture can be of an obstacle accomplished, a winning finish, a post-race celebration or even a pre-race pump up session.  Please include a caption with your photo as to why it was your favorite Ruckus moment. 

What kind of pictures are we looking for?

Pictures (unfortunately) cannot be downloaded from our Ruckus website or Facebook page.  They must be authentic and taken from a participant’s or spectator’s own phone or camera. 

What’s the prize?...After all, that’s why I’m doing this!

The prize! Of course!  Five lucky winners will receive a free ticket to Ruckus St. Louis in 2013.  We will contact you via Facebook and provide you with a promo code for next year’s big obstacle course. 

What’s the deadline?

We will only accept photos on our Facebook wall up to 7 days after the event.  That means you’ve got until May 12^th to upload your photo.

Best of luck to all of you competing in Ruckus St. Louis—and even more luck to those looking to win a free ticket for the 2013 event!  

Check us out on Facebook. 

Win a Free Ticket to Ruckus St. Louis!

You'd be smiling too if you won a free ticket to Ruckus St. Louis! 

Dying to go to Ruckus, but just haven’t had the time, energy or expenses to purchase your ticket?  Lucky you—now’s your chance to win a FREE ticket to compete in Ruckus St. Louis on May 5^th!

How can you win?  It’s simple.  Like us on Facebook and tell us the main reason why you should compete in Ruckus St. Louis for free. 

Have an inspirational story?  A milestone you’re looking to meet?  A cool reason you want to join a specific team?  Let us know! You and five others could win the chance to compete in Ruckus St. Louis—for free!  We will be giving out six free registrations—so tell us why you deserve it today.  Winners will be announced on Monday, April 30th. 

Have you already registered for Ruckus St. Louis but have an awesome reason why you should go for free?  Comment or post your reason on Facebook anyway and we will reimburse you for your ticket.  

What are you waiting for?  Cause a Ruckus with us and tell us your story today. 

Ruckus as a Stress Ball

Stress balls have been used for centuries.  In fact, these squishy, malleable balls have been used in Chinese medicine since the dawn of time.  And still today, stress balls are found in desk drawers, on nightstands, and in the anxious palms of the typical stressed-out soul. 

But why do stress balls work?  The continuous action of muscle contraction and relaxation relieves muscle tension and actually allows us to feel more relaxed and rhythmical.  Stress balls have a therapeutic value—they have been proven to help lighten mental loads and relieve bodily tension.

But squeezing a stress ball is only one way to relieve the tension and stress that pulses through the human body.  There is, in fact, be an even better way to achieve ultimate relief: exercise.

Ruckus can squeeze and smash stress away just as good as soft rubber ball out there.  Why?

Ruckus gets you away from it all

Stress knocks on our doors for many different reasons.  Disease, death in the family, work, family life and financial insecurity seem to be the biggest core areas of stress.  But when a person is in their “zone”, most of these stressors are left behind.  Exercise allows us to clear our heads and “get away from it all”. 

Muscle contraction and relaxation

The reason we love stress balls so much is because they allow the muscles in our arms to contract and relax.  But Ruckus allows for muscle contraction and relaxation on a whole new level.  Because Ruckus combines running with intense (and usually muddy) challenges, your muscles have time to relax in between our crazy obstacles.  Ruckus truly is muscle confusion at its finest.  

Ruckus is rewarding

Squeezing a stress ball can only get you so far.  Once you’re finished palming it to death, you don’t necessarily feel a burning sense of accomplishment.  But when you cross the Ruckus finish line or slide down Mount Ruckmore, we promise you will feel like a stress-free winner.    

Post-Ruckus endorphin rush

Although regular exercise does help us smash stress, mixing up workouts relieves tension even better.  If you’re bored with your routine, you may not experience the normal post-gym endorphin rush, making exercise less effective as a stress fighter than it could be.  Ruckus, on the other hand, allows you to try something new and gives you the chance to combine physical exertion with a bit of benign risk-taking. 

Many Ruckus runners sign up for our muddy obstacle courses because they want to feel that sense of accomplishment.  Others participate because their friends and family members are doing it too.  Yet others get down and dirty during Ruckus just to experience a fun weekend adventure.  But if you’re looking to sign up for something to relieve stress, clear your mind or rejuvenate your mental health, Ruckus may also be just the ticket.  Think of it as a jumbo, muddy, slippery stress ball, designed with you in mind.  

Still Procrastinating? Register Before the Ruckus St. Louis Price Increase

Hey, you.  Yeah, we’re talking to you.  You procrastinators, I’ll-do-it-later-ers, put-offers, draggers, stallers and dawdlers.  Ruckus St. Louis is about to experience a price increase!  Be sure to sign up today to receive your best offer. 

Prices increase on Friday, April 20, so sign up now and put procrastinating in the past!

We look forward to seeing you and your muddy self on May 5^th in St. Louis (assuming you’re not running late!).

Want more Ruckus news and updates?  Check us out on Twitter! @RuckusSports.

The Ultimate Ruckus Q&A (and Other Awesome Ruckus Stats!)

Is Ruckus for me?  Will I be able to complete the Ruckus obstacle courses?  Is Ruckus better than Warrior Dash?  Where is a Ruckus near me?  What if I’ve never done a mud run before?  Will I survive?

You’ve got questions—we’ve got answers!  Below are some of our most popular Ruckus questions that you may desperately want answered before the Ruckus St. Louis on May 5^th!

Why should I sign up for Ruckus?

Whether you want to feel a sense of accomplishment, are in need of a workout milestone or simply want to have some muddy fun, there are a billion reasons to sign up for Ruckus.  According to our previous Ruckus Kansas City survey, 58% of participants signed up for Ruckus in order to fulfill a persona accomplishment.  41% of participants signed up due to motivation from friends and family members and 20% signed up to experience a fun weekend activity.  What’s your reason to cause a Ruckus?

Do I need to be “in shape” for Ruckus?

We won’t lie—Ruckus certainly isn’t easy.  But that doesn’t mean that you have to be in marathon-shape in order to compete.  Every year, participants from ages 2 to 72 and of all different skill levels compete in Ruckus.  We also offer a variety of different obstacle course lengths including a 4-mile challenge, a 2-mile heater and a Ruckus Mini. 

During Ruckus Kansas City a few weeks back, we found that 37% of participants were “avid runners” and participate in one or more road races a year (whether that be a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon or triathlon).  35% defined themselves as “general athletes” who simply work out on their own and consider fitness important. 

Should I do the 4-mile Challenge or the 2-mile Heater?

Great question—and it’s completely up to you!  Are you a sprinter?  Check out the Heater.  Looking for a little more running?  Sign up for the Challenge.  Our Challenge is the most popular Ruckus event with 88% of KC participants competing in it a few weeks ago. 

Have most participants competed in Ruckus before?

As a matter of fact, no!  53% of our KC Ruckus runners experienced the crazy obstacle course for the very first time. 

What about Warrior Dash, Spartan Run, Tough Mudder and other mud runs? 

Many of our participants have engaged in these other muddy obstacle experiences, too.  29% of our runners had participated in Warrior Dash, 4% in Mud Run, 3% in Tough Mudder and 2% in Spartan Run. 

Will Ruckus take place near me and how should I arrive?

Ruckus is currently taking over five different cities across the U.S. including St. Louis, Boston, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Kansas City.  A majority of participants travel 30 minutes to one hour to participate in Ruckus and usually arrive with friends in tow.

Keep in mind that not everybody that comes to Ruckus has to run!  We have outstanding spectating capabilities as well.  In fact, 77% of spectators thoroughly enjoyed watching Ruckus Kansas City a few weekends back. 

So, should I take the plunge?

We think so!  If you’re passionate about fitness, enjoy a challenge or want to bond with friends and family, Ruckus is the best obstacle course for you.

And if that doesn’t convince you enough, take a look at the numbers: 78% of KC Ruckus runners plan to sign up for the 2013 Ruckus Kansas City obstacle course!  Another 92% of participants would encourage friends, colleagues and family members to participate in future Ruckus events.  

So what are you waiting for?  Sign up now!