Getting "Muddy" with a "Buddy"

Race Report by Ursula: Tracy Hicks and I traveled to Pocahontas State Park in Richmond last weekend to participate in the 2007 Muddy Buddy race. It's a bike-run-obstacle team event. The Rocky Mount Chicks (a.k.a. Tracy and Ursula) arrived just in enough time to prep our mountain bike with distinguishing decorations, make our way to starting area, use the porta potties, and then wait ... and wait ... and wait until our "wave" started. It turned out the 66-75 female team age group was the last wave so we waited about an hour past the official start before we started. I guess we didn't need to hurry to get in the potty line. But we were entertained seeing all of the creative costumes worn by other teams... like the team dressed as Rhinos (with chest armor and plush rhinos on their helmets) and the bride-to-be with her bridesmaid or the one dressed as if they'd crashed into a tree -- helmet adorned with tree limbs and leaves and wearing ripped shirts and bandaids. We thought we had done pretty good to have matching shirts with our team name across the front but we were dressed modestly in comparison to most.

At the start line all of the bikers lined up first with the runners behind them. We decided I would bike first and Tracy would run first. After the gun went off, it was slow going at first because the path was narrow. It was a dirt path with some rocks and it curved around back and forth and up and down some gradual hills. After about a mile, I got to the first obstacle -- a rock wall about 8 ft. tall with rope down the back side to climb down. I scouted out a spot to drop the bike -- amongst 30 or so other bikes lying in a grassy area -- and then completed the obstacle. I got a quick cup of water and started to run the second leg. I knew Tracy was close behind and would do the obstacle fast and pass me on the bike further along the path.

As I ran along, I realized I was right behind Jennifer (also from Rocky Mount and on another team), so I chatted for a couple minutes and kept going. It was great to see a familiar face from NC. I was thinking "it sure is hot and humid, but I have to keep going at a good pace because my buddy will soon be passing me." Bikers were starting to zoom by shouting "ON YOUR LEFT." A couple times I wanted to shout back, "Did you mean your other left?" because they actually passed on the right! As I was running down a slight hill and nearing a curve ahead, suddenly I witnessed a biker crash. I think she had started to take the curve ahead but maybe a little too fast and the wheels slid out from under her. Following her were four other bikers who slammed on brakes and started to swerve to miss her. One poor guy crashed as well to avoid her. Oh boy -- note to self -- be careful on the curves. Tracy passed me shortly after this. I'm sure glad she wasn't caught up in the crash site.

The second obstacle was an "over-under" challenge. We had to climb onto a metal structure - over a long metal beam, under the next beam and then over the top beam - each beam a little higher. Then we could just carefully step down the beams on the back side. I quickly found where Tracy left the bike and took off on leg #3. Now I was feeling a little more comfortable on the bike and people were spread out more so I felt like I was zooming along. I passed Tracy about 1/2 way to the next obstacle. I yelled out "Go Tracy." This leg of the race was a little more hilly than the first one.

The third obstacle was a long balance beam. It took a minute to get my balance - had to hop off once before I even started walking - but then made it across. I took off running again for the leg #4. But this time, the distance was short. It couldn't have been more than a 1/2 mile. It felt short. The fourth obstacle was the most fun. It was a HUGE inflatable. I had to climb up a rope ladder on the inflated wall about 15 feet high, climb up on the top and then slide down a big slide to the bottom on the other side. I yell out "That was fun!" When I was done I grabbed a cup of water and waited for Tracy to arrive on the bike -- along with 10-15 other folks. Because the fourth leg was a lot shorter than the third leg, most buddies had to wait at this point for a minute or two.

Tracy arrived and I watch for a few seconds to see her start the obstacle and then I take off on the bike. I ride down a slight hill through some grass and get back on the dirt/rock trail. There was a big downhill section ahead and I started to feel like I was losing control of the bike. Oh no! What do I do? I try to brake but it's hard to slow down much and I was afraid the wheels would start skidding. I just let momentum take over and fortunately made it down the hill and around a slight curve -- but not without my palms sweating. Whew! That was a close one! I go up another hill and then into another downhill. there's a guy at the bottom warning bikers to SLOW DOWN. Good thing. At the bottom there was a sharp curve, very rocky, and it turned into a dead stop where there were tree roots growing across the trail and it dropped down into a steam which was about 3 feet deep. We had heard about having to cross a stream but didn't know where to expect it. I now had to pick up my bike and carry it through the water. Whoa! I stepped into the chilly creek water and made my way across to the other side. It was about 12 feet wide. Once on the other side I start riding again but it was all uphill. I'm standing on the bike pedaling up the hill and the wheels spin in place a little. But eventually I make it to the top of the hill but guess what?? There's another hill just as steep. I soon realize it will be faster if I get off the bike and "run" it up the hill so that's what I did. Soon after I reached a point where I could get back on and ride. Another 1/2 mile and I was back to the finish area where we would do the last obstacle -- as a team. I parked the bike and waited for Tracy to arrive on foot.

At this point Michael and the kids are there cheering for us and taking pictures. Tracy arrives and we run to the obstacle together. The last obstacle is the FAMOUS MUD PIT. We get down on our hands and knees, enter the mud pit and begin to crawl across. There were ropes tied across the mud pit every couple feet to ensure everyone stayed low to the ground and got good and muddy. Fans were on the sides cheering and telling us to "get on your belly, not on your knees." I think they were having a good time "taunting" all of the muddy buddies. We reached the end of the mud and ran to the finish line together. And of course we were covered with mud. Anyone want a good muddy hug? This was quite an experience -- definitely a deviation from the usual 5k, 10k, or marathon. We finished in 1:05:34. Not sure if that's a good time, but we had a good time!