I Dragged Myself Through the Mud—And Dragged My Family to the Event

All in the name of family fitness, I dragged myself out of bed a little too early on Sunday and loaded the family up so they could cheer me on at the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run. I’m so used to always cleaning up messes that it was a little weird knowing I’d be sloshing around in the mud. For FUN. And running too.

Sloshing through the mud. Just a typical Sunday.

Unfortunately the baby-sleep gods didn’t smile on me like I’d hoped they would the night before, and I was up from about 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. That darn breastfeeding thing. But even though I was tired as usual, that didn’t stop me from having a great time and rocking the course (in my head). I wasn’t totally fast or anything, but I ran the whole thing, got muddy and had a blast doing it. My 2-year-old had fun watching “peoples running” and has been commenting ever since how “mommy got all dirty.” I’m so looking forward when she’s old enough to participate in the kids’ event!

My husband got his own workout carrying both kids around!

I’m not a runner, really, but it boggles my mind that this mud run is only the SECOND event I’ve ever participated in. But I love the atmosphere and the enthusiasm. (Head over to FBG for a full recap of the event with lots of pictures of me muddy!) And having my family cheer me on at the end was icing on the cake. I may be looking into other short races after my upcoming 10K. Just maybe…

Does your family come out to support you for runs and races? When’s the last time you got dirty on purpose? —Erin