Back in May, a friend came up to me with the idea of putting together a team of Gladiators and wanted to know if I was interested in doing the Gladiator Mud Run in October.
Well, I’m not really a mud lovin type of gal, but I always game for a good adventure and doing a Gladiator race had adventure written all over it!
I had 5 months to train and prepare myself for the most insane day of my life.
So of course I put it off.
Well, I’m not really a mud lovin type of gal, but I always game for a good adventure and doing a Gladiator race had adventure written all over it!
I had 5 months to train and prepare myself for the most insane day of my life.
So of course I put it off.
I am usually excellent when it comes to fitness, and had at one point even considered myself somewhat of an athlete..
but that was then and sometimes there are those days/weeks/months that I just don’t make it my priority. Call me lazy (but just so you know. I would never call me LAZY!)
Now, have you know that I did get into a really good program for what lasted about a month, and then pulled something in my calf, could barely walk without being in agony and then the routine just never came back together and it fell at the wayside. Ugh - so frustrated with myself. And of course I had trips to go on (which I could’ve very well made sure I was going to the gym on - but I didn’t). I suck. Excuses. I know, and I hate excuses.
So then what was the next best thing?
Going into the event with absolutely no training or conditioning whatsoever! Plus why don’t I only get 4 hours of sleep and not have any breakfast…(don’t try this at home).
But obviously to me that sounded like the plan to go with!
but that was then and sometimes there are those days/weeks/months that I just don’t make it my priority. Call me lazy (but just so you know. I would never call me LAZY!)
Now, have you know that I did get into a really good program for what lasted about a month, and then pulled something in my calf, could barely walk without being in agony and then the routine just never came back together and it fell at the wayside. Ugh - so frustrated with myself. And of course I had trips to go on (which I could’ve very well made sure I was going to the gym on - but I didn’t). I suck. Excuses. I know, and I hate excuses.
So then what was the next best thing?
Going into the event with absolutely no training or conditioning whatsoever! Plus why don’t I only get 4 hours of sleep and not have any breakfast…(don’t try this at home).
But obviously to me that sounded like the plan to go with!
So there I was, arriving with Dominic at the World Famous Historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
With 5 Super Bowls, 100 Rose Bowls and 1000's of other colossal events, the world's best athletes have charged through the players tunnel as 100,000 cheering fans slammed to their feet.
Now it was our turn! Ready to rock n roll, get down n dirty and crush this course. I was amp’d!
Then as we got closer to the field (Dave B, and Cosette in tow), I hadn’t seen too much going on.
It almost appeared that there were more observers than there were participants..
And now the embarrassment started to sink in - I don’t want to be the center of attention!
What am I doing here? I don’t really like running and I never liked the mud!
With 5 Super Bowls, 100 Rose Bowls and 1000's of other colossal events, the world's best athletes have charged through the players tunnel as 100,000 cheering fans slammed to their feet.
Now it was our turn! Ready to rock n roll, get down n dirty and crush this course. I was amp’d!
Then as we got closer to the field (Dave B, and Cosette in tow), I hadn’t seen too much going on.
It almost appeared that there were more observers than there were participants..
And now the embarrassment started to sink in - I don’t want to be the center of attention!
What am I doing here? I don’t really like running and I never liked the mud!
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But I was already signed up and I was committed - there was no turning back.
That’s not what I do.
So after we picked up our bibs, we found the rest of our 5 person team (down from the 14 that it was suppose to be), my embarrassment was being read as nervousness.
I’m not worried about the course or really even about getting dirty, it’s getting embarrassed that I’m trying to avoid.
Pretty sure no one understood me.
Once our timing chips had been attached to our footwear, we made our way to the starting line for our 10am wave. The waves started at 7:30a this morning and have been going every 30 minutes since.
With 500 people in each wave I started to relax and come to the realization that I’m not gonna be embarrassed, so let’s get the show on the road!
That’s not what I do.
So after we picked up our bibs, we found the rest of our 5 person team (down from the 14 that it was suppose to be), my embarrassment was being read as nervousness.
I’m not worried about the course or really even about getting dirty, it’s getting embarrassed that I’m trying to avoid.
Pretty sure no one understood me.
Once our timing chips had been attached to our footwear, we made our way to the starting line for our 10am wave. The waves started at 7:30a this morning and have been going every 30 minutes since.
With 500 people in each wave I started to relax and come to the realization that I’m not gonna be embarrassed, so let’s get the show on the road!
But I was already signed up and I was committed - there was no turning back.
That’s not what I do.
So after we picked up our bibs, we found the rest of our 5 person team (down from the 14 that it was suppose to be), my embarrassment was being read as nervousness. I’m not worried about the course or really even about getting dirty, it’s getting embarrassed that I’m trying to avoid. Pretty sure no one understood me.
Once our timing chips had been attached to our footwear, we made our way to the starting line for our 10am wave. The waves started at 7:30a this morning and have been going every 30 minutes since. With 500 people in each wave I started to relax and come to the realization that I’m not gonna be embarrassed, so let’s get the show on the road!
We began the course running a short track that led to the entrance of the players tunnel at the massive stadium that seats almost 100,000 known as the Rose Bowl. Things were going well.
We entered the bowl and started towards our first obstacle amply named The Quads of the Gods. We needed to run up, across, and down all of those so many bleachers 3xs while feeling our legs burst into flames. Such a brutal stair master killer here!
I was a bit worried about my knees acting up (since tearing my left ACL in 2010, and my right MCL earlier this year they tend to hinder certain activities). But the knees were feeling fine, so I pushed right on through.
Next up were the box jumps (another one that I was concerned about my knees on).
So I tried a few and felt good, so I continued to jump my way to the required 30 jumps.
By this time the sun had already been beating down on us and we were incredibly thirsty. My poor calves were shaking like crazy, but it was time to move on.
That’s not what I do.
So after we picked up our bibs, we found the rest of our 5 person team (down from the 14 that it was suppose to be), my embarrassment was being read as nervousness. I’m not worried about the course or really even about getting dirty, it’s getting embarrassed that I’m trying to avoid. Pretty sure no one understood me.
Once our timing chips had been attached to our footwear, we made our way to the starting line for our 10am wave. The waves started at 7:30a this morning and have been going every 30 minutes since. With 500 people in each wave I started to relax and come to the realization that I’m not gonna be embarrassed, so let’s get the show on the road!
We began the course running a short track that led to the entrance of the players tunnel at the massive stadium that seats almost 100,000 known as the Rose Bowl. Things were going well.
We entered the bowl and started towards our first obstacle amply named The Quads of the Gods. We needed to run up, across, and down all of those so many bleachers 3xs while feeling our legs burst into flames. Such a brutal stair master killer here!
I was a bit worried about my knees acting up (since tearing my left ACL in 2010, and my right MCL earlier this year they tend to hinder certain activities). But the knees were feeling fine, so I pushed right on through.
Next up were the box jumps (another one that I was concerned about my knees on).
So I tried a few and felt good, so I continued to jump my way to the required 30 jumps.
By this time the sun had already been beating down on us and we were incredibly thirsty. My poor calves were shaking like crazy, but it was time to move on.
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We charged out of the stadium and spotted a water fountain that we rushed to (we definitely weren’t the only ones), had a quick sip, splashed some water on my face and continued.
Our entourage of 7 were front and center watching our every move. As we rounded the corner, we finally saw a water station and they only had 2 cups of water left! WTH They ran out of water? How could this be? I guess we’ll have to wait for the next station.
Obstacle number 3 was up next, the Dumpster Dive, where we had to climb up, over and out of. Teamwork was definitely needed here, as getting in was not even half of the battle. Getting out required a boost as well as some decent upper body strength - much easier for some than others.
Our entourage of 7 were front and center watching our every move. As we rounded the corner, we finally saw a water station and they only had 2 cups of water left! WTH They ran out of water? How could this be? I guess we’ll have to wait for the next station.
Obstacle number 3 was up next, the Dumpster Dive, where we had to climb up, over and out of. Teamwork was definitely needed here, as getting in was not even half of the battle. Getting out required a boost as well as some decent upper body strength - much easier for some than others.
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Ok that was fun. What’s next? A short run over to our first army crawl, and then most of the 5k run.
Things were going well, aside from still baking in the sun and being thirsty. I wasn’t the only one who had a pasty, parched feeling of a dry mouth that was super annoying, especially when we were running and needed every drop of moisture that we could get to keep from feeling overheated.
And yet there were still no water stations in sight. Major fail on the part of the events organizers!
We continued down the trail hitting the Gladiator Bars, Wall of Fame (I just love climbing), and finally arriving at our first muddy obstacle the Tube Steak - groveling through a pipe full of muddy gravel and nearly getting my shoe pulled off as I finished and attempted to step out of this yucky combo.
At this point we were just hoping that the mud would cool us off and keep us cooler.
Our bodies weren’t tired, but I was definitely getting dehydrated. I hadn’t brought my own water for a number of reasons - one major reason is because every other race event that I’ve participated in has ALWAYS had hydration/water stations.
Keeping the athletes safe and healthy was always a main concern.
But obviously not for Dan Clark (the presenter also known as Nitro from American Gladiator Fame).
I briefly saw him at the start line, and he certainly seemed to fit the role of the ‘prick he looks like’ quite perfectly - more on this later…
Things were going well, aside from still baking in the sun and being thirsty. I wasn’t the only one who had a pasty, parched feeling of a dry mouth that was super annoying, especially when we were running and needed every drop of moisture that we could get to keep from feeling overheated.
And yet there were still no water stations in sight. Major fail on the part of the events organizers!
We continued down the trail hitting the Gladiator Bars, Wall of Fame (I just love climbing), and finally arriving at our first muddy obstacle the Tube Steak - groveling through a pipe full of muddy gravel and nearly getting my shoe pulled off as I finished and attempted to step out of this yucky combo.
At this point we were just hoping that the mud would cool us off and keep us cooler.
Our bodies weren’t tired, but I was definitely getting dehydrated. I hadn’t brought my own water for a number of reasons - one major reason is because every other race event that I’ve participated in has ALWAYS had hydration/water stations.
Keeping the athletes safe and healthy was always a main concern.
But obviously not for Dan Clark (the presenter also known as Nitro from American Gladiator Fame).
I briefly saw him at the start line, and he certainly seemed to fit the role of the ‘prick he looks like’ quite perfectly - more on this later…
After the hike/run portion of the event, we had reached the Cinderblock Burpees, again not at all so bad, and now we were in sight of the crowd and the field where most of the obstacles took place. Cosette was yelling at me telling me to RUN. As soon as I got close enough to her and Dave, I quickly explained the dehydration situation and they grabbed a bottle of water to hand to me and Dominic, as we continued to moved down the course.
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It was time for the Junkyard Dog obstacle, we soared over hay bales, tires, a car and a truck…posing for photos along the way!
Finally semi hydrated and feeling a bit revived we continued with the Buddha’s Burden obstacle - carrying a forty pound bag of rice forty yards. Next up was Mud Madness where we had to slither along on our belly through a trough of sloppy mud.
I was so grossed out by this. It was in my face and I was nearly eating mud by this point. Cosette kept yelling at me to keep my mouth shut!!!
I was so grossed out by this. It was in my face and I was nearly eating mud by this point. Cosette kept yelling at me to keep my mouth shut!!!
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With 17 obstacles overall, we still had the 14 foot muddy rope climb (which was the only obstacle that I couldn’t manage - along with most others I had to do 10 Burpees for my FAIL); Dominic was the hero of our bunch, we hooted and hollered as he reached the top and rang the bell!
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Still to go was the Cargo Congo Climb, The BEAST (another one where a good number of participants fell to their demise), we also had the Morning Wood - carrying a 25 foot telephone pole 40 yards.
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At the end of the event we all crossed the Finish Line together as a team. We received our medals, took some pictures and it was time to take a group shower. Noooo not naked - why does you’re mind have to go there!
We lathered up, got sprayed down and it was a foam party - rather fun actually! Though it really only took off the first few layers of packed on mud.
We lathered up, got sprayed down and it was a foam party - rather fun actually! Though it really only took off the first few layers of packed on mud.
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Next up was attempting to find the goodie bags that we had only heard about.
Well no one knew what the heck we were talking about and so we moved on.
Ready to leave, I spotted Dan Clark again. I think he deserved to hear about the lack of water on the course that he endorsed.
This guy is a major jerk. At first he deliberately turned away from me, not caring to hear anything about it. Well, that type of action just doesn’t work for me. I walked around to get directly in front of him. I had his attention and I explained what I and the other runners had experienced.
He tried to hush me several times, and tell me that I just missed the refill. I questioned who was the organizer. She happened to be standing nearby, and when I told her what had happened (running out of water confirmed by the volunteers working the couple of water station tables) she had already known! And yet Dan was still trying to hush me and keep insisting that I just missed the refill.
UGH who are you kidding Dan Clark? You are definitely no winner in my book.
Well no one knew what the heck we were talking about and so we moved on.
Ready to leave, I spotted Dan Clark again. I think he deserved to hear about the lack of water on the course that he endorsed.
This guy is a major jerk. At first he deliberately turned away from me, not caring to hear anything about it. Well, that type of action just doesn’t work for me. I walked around to get directly in front of him. I had his attention and I explained what I and the other runners had experienced.
He tried to hush me several times, and tell me that I just missed the refill. I questioned who was the organizer. She happened to be standing nearby, and when I told her what had happened (running out of water confirmed by the volunteers working the couple of water station tables) she had already known! And yet Dan was still trying to hush me and keep insisting that I just missed the refill.
UGH who are you kidding Dan Clark? You are definitely no winner in my book.
Each of us had a splendid time, in spite of this situation and all of out “fans” realized it, wishing that they had actually followed through and signed up with our team!
Already looking forward to the next time around when they can play too!
I’m game for the 10k next go round. I’ll just be sure to bring my own water!
***Clearly water was NOT mentioned in the GEAR CHECK section on their website of what to bring:
Photo ID.
A change of clothes.
Spending Money for extra Beer, Gladiator Grub and Gear.
An initialed, signed and dated copy of the participant waiver. This is optional, but will save time in line!
-T
Already looking forward to the next time around when they can play too!
I’m game for the 10k next go round. I’ll just be sure to bring my own water!
***Clearly water was NOT mentioned in the GEAR CHECK section on their website of what to bring:
Photo ID.
A change of clothes.
Spending Money for extra Beer, Gladiator Grub and Gear.
An initialed, signed and dated copy of the participant waiver. This is optional, but will save time in line!
-T
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