Dirty Girl Mud Run 2014

If anyone were to ask me if I'd jump in a pile of mud for fun two years ago, I would have looked at them like they were crazy. Now I have ran TWO Dirty Girl Mud Runs [an obstacle course mud run, just for women], and I dive head first into mud without even being told to. Last year, I participated to meet some Tone It Up girls. Right after the run, we were already planning next year. Even though the location was different this year, I was excited as ever to run with girls I had ran with the previous year, and meet even more girls! It's amazing, you'd think that girls that have never met each other would be shy or wouldn't click, but that is not the case with Tone It Up girls. We click instantly, because not only do we have fitness in common, but we are positive, happy individuals in general. We hopped on a bus together, and headed to the race. Even though we missed our race time, we were right in line for the next time - together.

Sal caught some great video in the beginning of us stretching and getting pumped up listening to the loud music, and then he followed us the whole race with his iPhone. He didn't tell me he was going to follow us, but the girls and I loved it. When I kept seeing him pop up at different sections of the race, I couldn't help but smile. Since he just graduated from a school that has taught him how to edit video (one of the many things he learned there), he was able to compile all of the video and pictures that he took, and make one incredible video filled with moments from our race.

We ran together, and when one girl fell behind, we slowed up and waited for her. We cheered each other on as we tackled each obstacle; hearing each other's support and motivation was incredible. Some of us had only just met, and to be there for one another like that, when one of us could have easily kept going, made me realize the community that is Tone It Up. When we reached the end of the race, we ran, jumped, and tackled one another in the mud - throwing it at one another, smashing it in one another's hair, and absolutely loving it.

I showered off as quick as possible, but apparently not well enough, because there was still dirt EVERYWHERE. Unfortunately, I couldn't join the girls for lunch because my brother's graduation party was later that afternoon. Sal and I hurried home, and I jumped in the shower, leaving a trail of mud behind me.

All I can say is, who's ready for next year!?

Dirty Girl Mud Run 2013

For my third and final act... Nope not a magician... But I might be a runner! I ran three 5Ks this summer, one during each month, and my third and final one was the Dirty Girl Mud Run! I even met up with several Tone It Up girls and we ran together as a team - Dirty Mudder Fers! It was so empowering running with other women who are all such motivating individuals, who have the same goals, and live such a healthy lifestyle (at least most of the time, right?! ha!). We designed our own shirts, and looked like a team, a force that could not be reckoned with! We even met up with a few more TIU girls when we arrived!


While I've been asked to join Spartan teams, and I've even considered doing other mud runs, I'm glad this was my first! Not only was it all women, but we all had each other to push one another to the finish line; some even pushed one another into muddy water... All in good fun, I promise! It was by far the most hilarious mud run I've ever run, yet! It instilled even more confidence in me than I thought was ever possible!

My boyfriend came for support, and he ended up following me for the whole race, snapping pictures and catching some hilarious moments on film, such as me jumping into the muddy water and through a tube! It was quite exhilarating, and I didn't even feel like it was a 5K because I was too busy completing obstacles to even notice that I was running, and running quite fast with two of my tone it up sisters! The obstacles made the time go by extremely fast, from running in mud and crawling through tubes in muddy water, to climbing over rope ladders and balancing on wooden logs.

It wasn't timed, but I know we did pretty well, finishing it in under 45 minutes! A group of us made it to the finish line, and then waited for the rest of our team, and when we saw them running, we rsn back out there to finish all together! I couldn't have completed it without those ladies, and it was such and amazing feeling to run through the finish line all together, and of course splashing around in the mud a bit more!

I was shocked that Sal was actually willing to go grab a Taylor ham, egg, and cheese (a New Jersey staple), in public, while I was slightly muddy still. He wouldn't even hug me after the run, although I can't blame him! I was covered in mud and dirty water. Thankfully they had a tent with showers and a place to change after the race, because I don't think Sal would have let me get into his car without one, he would've probably cut some holes in a garbage bag for my head, arms, and legs... Or maybe just enough room for my face to stick out because I'm telling you I was covered!


Let's just say, I'll definitely be signing up for this race next year! Who's with me?!