My husbands boss loves to have monthly dinner parties where he invites one of his team and their partner. We went to one but then due to Covid he had to stop having them.
I had been dreading the last one as I feared I would have nothing in common with his wife and we would be sitting there with an awkward silence. It started off with general chit-chat and we soon sat down for the meal. Wow, the food was fantastic and the conversation soon turned to healthy eating and exercise. At that point my husband helpfully mentioned I had started running (a very loose definition of what I was actually achieving at the time). His bosses wife's eyes lit up and it turns out that she is an enthusiastic runner. The vision in my head was of an even more glamorous version of the Human Gazelles that run after the school drop off who inspired our group to start the C25K. These four women glide through the air with no effort what so ever, they leave with perfect hair and makeup, run for 30-40 minutes, and come back looking exactly the same as when they left, not a hair our of place or even a glow to their cheeks.
After the meal, still the conversation returned to running and I was shown a scrap book/photo album of some of the events that she had attended.
OMG, not what I had expected. Most of the photos she was covered from head to foot in mud, the only clean items in any of the pictures was a meddle she was clutching. As she had show such enthusiasm for my running, I felt I had to be enthusiastic about hers. That as it turns out looks to have been my first mistake.
Some how (and I am not quite sure how) I agreed to join her on one of these events. Maybe one too many glasses of wine, or just that her enthusiasm is contagious but either way I agreed. The only proviso I made was that I would wait until I could confidently run 5K. Now at that stage of my C25K journey, the thought of being able to run 5K was so far away that in my mind it would never happen. I think that was my second mistake.
Now I have nothing against mud, as long as it knows its place and stays on the ground and does not stick itself to me. The odd splatter when running is not too bad as long as it does not stain my nice pink running shoes.
Since that evening my running has improved and would have to admit that a 5K run is not something that is now of great effort to me. My husband has kept his boss well informed of my progress, and of course he has told his wife.
My husband dropped the bombshell today that his boss is now arranging his parties again and is going to give some possible dates to my husband. He also mentioned that his wife suggests we could a make a day and include a run. I can hear alarm bells ringing!!
I have just finished scouring the internet to find the days that Mud events take place in their area and praying that none coincide with the dates he is going to propose.
Now I never really looked into the events before (why should I, I was never going near one!!) but not only do you get covered in mud, lay in the stuff, have to clamber over or under obstacles, but you also have to pay at least £80 for the privilege. The only good news is that most say "book now, only a few places left", but that is still a few too many for my liking.
What am I going to do? My husbands answer was, "go along, you may enjoy it", as if!!
Well I can definitely offer sympathy if you’re pulled into it. I did one 4 years ago as I was roped into it by my team when I started my current job.
If it’s a Tough Mudder it has about as much in common with actual running as a three legged race. It does mean you’ll find it no problems getting around though.
Two solid tips it you can’t escape. Firstly wear something with vibram soles, they really help getting up the obstacles. Secondly when you’re crawling through the ‘mud’ keep your mouth closed, those that didn’t got e.coli at mine.
Oh my goodness, I went to one of those as a spectator once and um well, good luck and by the smiles on mud covered faces at the finishing line you will enjoy yourself
I have full admiration for those that do it but just cannot imagine myself actually doing it. You would not believe just how far out of my comfort zone that is on a number of levels.
I think i have spotted your third mistake. You have posted on this site hoping for excuses not to do it. All you will ever get on this site is encouragement. 😂 YOU CAN DO IT! !!
Ha ha! 🤣Love the replies above! I love a muddy trail and I will happily get wet and muddy on a run BUT a muddy obstacle course is something very different! We will all cheer you on virtually though - only you can decide!!🙂👍
I'd say it sounds like you hate the idea, so don't do it... If she suggests it, just reply it's not your kinda fun but encourage her to go along with whoever else is going.. You should never feel pressured into something you don't want to do..
I understand it's hard to say no..not your thing..but better than having all that stress leading up to it..
Be yourself.. enjoy your running..that's yours to do however you want 🙏
My problem is, when I thought there was no way on earth I would ever be running 5K I was full of enthusiasm saying how great it looked knowing I was never going to do it. It is going to look a bit strange that not only am I not quite as enthusiastic, I am not totally opposed to the idea. I think I have to find a way of watering down my enthusiasm slowly (or find a really good excuse why I cant do it EVER!!).
😂 I can’t decide if you are secretly looking forward to it or totally horrified. If you’re going to do it look out your oldest kit and maybe look for some sponsorship. Certainly tell us about it with a photo of your celebration when you finish. If you really don’t want to do it say no sooner rather than later. It’s not worth the stress of worrying about. Happy running 🤗
Definitely totally horrified!! My running group think it is hilarious and when trying to gain their support suggesting that it was quite a lot of money to spend on something I would hate, they all said they would club together to pay my entry. Who needs friends like that???
Haha, mortifying I'm sure but I think you're going to have to fess up and say a gentle 5K run sounds lovely but though you're extremely impressed with those that compete in the tough mudder running challenges they're just not for you...and that if she insists you attend then you'll happily hold her changing bag and wave pom poms while she makes it round! Good luck 😆👍
I am thinking that saying I would like to watch one first to get an idea before actually doing one may be my best option at the moment. Although it my give the impression I am more up for it than I actually am.
I suppose it’s too late to suggest your hubby gets a different job?!😁. I reckon you should go for it, it may be the start of a whole new running career for you! You only need to do it once but leave the pink shoes at home, they’ll thank you for it! Having said that, it has to be your decision and if you really hate the idea of mud then you’ll have to take a deep breath now and say it really doesn’t sound like your thing - perhaps you could suggest a ‘normal’ run with your boss’s wife instead? Good luck with whatever you decide!
I did ask him if he was considering changing his job, he laughed!! He said that I got myself into this, I can get myself out. I think he is really enjoying it. He even said that I have been looking at buying some trail shoes for some time, may be this is a good time. (I am undecided on divorce or murder at the moment )
Sometimes it's the things we really don't fancy that we find we enjoy? You're definitely physically capable, it's not intrinsically terrifying like parachute jumping or bungee jumping, if you start and you hate it you're a grown-up and can just say no. Or you can have a sudden and convenient illness on the day (like gym class at school )
The distance sounds fine, some of the obstacles worry me as they look like they need strength rather than endurance, others terrify me as scrambling through mud and water is not my thing. My other fear is spoiling it my her as i am sure she would stick with me rather than going for it.I wonder if my mum can write me a note?
Miss, I can’t, it’s that time of the month. What time of the month? The time of the month when I don’t want to get muddy.
Seriously though, maybe go for a coffee with her and ‘fess up, you didn’t realise what it would involve and, like you said, having investigated you really think you’d spoil her fun as you worry she’d feel responsible for you. Maybe suggest something more in line with what you like?
Alternatively, like someone else said, ask your husband to change his job.
I did a TM ages ago and thoroughly enjoyed every minute! It’s such good fun, mind you, there was no mud in sight as it was really dry at the time. And I did avoid the obstacle where you get electric shocks 😆. But a really good day out.
😆😆😆!!! They had dangly electric shock bits right at the end too, but I didn’t feel anything because I think I was full of adrenaline 👍. It’s really, really good fun - I got a free pint of cider at the finish line too! I was buzzing for days after - not just because of the electricity! Maybe you could start out with a less intense version - they do shorter ones I think? 😳😳😳
Will you or won't you? I can't wait to hear the outcome!
Like you, I would dread it, OMG, but then again, a tiny tiny little bit of me thinks, why not give it a go? Wear old clothes and old trainers and pretend you are a kid, just go for it
I was hoping someone would give me a good excuse not to do this, although as my husband pointed out, she only said run, not mud run this time , so there may be hope yet. He may just be giving me a false sense of security.
The list of reasons I should not do it is growing as I read more posts, the list of excuses I can use is not!! I am getting really worried now!!
I have done a few runs through the woods, mainly on pathways and on dry areas. The few times I have been when their are puddles I have spent a lot of time avoiding them so I don't get my pink shoes muddy. I have been promising myself a dark coloured pair of trail shoes (not so that I can run through mud, more so that I am not so worried about them getting dirty!).
My husband has suggested it may be a good time to buy some. He thinks this whole thing funny and has not offered one reason why I shouldn't do this, in fact, now I think of it, has only given me reasons to do it!!
I think rather than soles like tractor tyre, I should do it in a tractor!!
I think I will need to check that, you may be on to something.
Well, some good news and bad news on the mud run front, but also some amusing news. My husband enquired about times that we would need childcare for to find out what was planned for the “run” that was mentioned. He played dumb (not hard for him 😊 ) as he said that when I go out for a run it can be for anything between 45 minutes and 3 hours! (that is not 3 hours of running, I am just out for 3 hours!!) so needed a bit more detail.
The answer that came back was the good news. His wife has the meal to prepare (and does not let him near the kitchen) so the run will be just for a bit of fun of 5 to 10K depending on how we feel on the day. Phew!!!
Then the bad/amusing news came. It was an old friend of his wife’s that got her into the mud runs in the first place. The friend and her husband have what they call an outdoor gym where they do boot camp style fitness classes (with a muddy obstacle course). They are trying to expand into outdoor team building events. My husband’s boss thinks (or at least his wife does) that it would be a great idea for all his staff and partners to go to it once it is up and running. He told my husband that he knows I will be up for it (and so it is just given that he will be!!) and that it will be a great laugh.
My husband said that unfortunately, once this guy gets an idea in his head, he will see it through, he is not one to forget or change his mind. I didn’t know if to laugh or cry. My husband is blaming me and says that when the others find out they will probably kill him if they think he is keen on the idea. He found it quite funny when he thought it was just me that was getting dragged into it, now it is him too it is not as amusing. I must admit, although I have no desire to participate in this, the look on my husband’s face when he told me was priceless.
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Sunny and muddy evening run 
Consolidation run 6, and park run 2
