Muddy Buddy Ride & Run Race Report

Muddy Buddy 2008 – what a great event and probably the most fun I’ve had at the races for a long, long time.

First of all I’d like to thank my wife Ally for buddying up with me. She knows how competitive I am, and despite my pre-race affirmations that I just wanted to have fun, I’m sure she felt a little pressure being my partner. Ally, you did great and I know you gave it 110% all the way around the challenging, but thoroughly enjoyable course. Thanks for being half of the Celtic Couple!

Secondly I’d like to thank regular Run Bulldog Run reader Tim for telling me all about the race this time last year; I’m glad you talked us into signing up. We’ll definitely be signing again for next year as soon as we can too!

So, onto the race report. We drove to Richmond on Saturday where Muddy Buddy was taking place. Traffic was heavy but with the venue located just a couple of hours away, it wasn’t too bad. [photo: who says you can’t go camping in a MINI Cooper?]

We couldn’t check in to the campground until 4pm so decided to pick up our race packets on the way to Pocahontas State Park where (a) we were staying and (b) the race was taking place. With 1200 teams of 2 entered for the event I thought packet pickup at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports was going to be crazy, but it turned out to be fairly quiet and well managed. The goody bag was jam packed with the usual sponsor giveaways (including a nice Landrover water bottle) and the t-shirts were pretty cool too.

We arrived at the campground a little later, checked in and soon found Tim who was also camping on site. Tim had already suggested we ride the course the day before the race to get an idea of what was in store, so we dropped off our tent and camping supplies, and were soon riding the trail and checking out the terrain.

Most of the course was either uphill or downhill, but with the multiple gear options on a mountain bike, none of the slopes were an issue. My main concern was the gravel located on certain parts of the course; I felt my back wheel slide out several times and imagined how difficult it could be with hundreds of bikers on the trail during the race. One braking error could be a disaster!

I can’t remember the exact distance, but we rode about a mile to the first obstacle where Ally would ditch the bike, scale the climbing wall, climb down the other side and head off on her first run. I would be running into the area, negotiating the same obstacle, finding the bike (which Tim said could be the most difficult part) and heading off on the second leg of the race. We tried out the wall, which wasn’t too challenging, agreed on a place for Ally to leave the bike and rode on to the second obstacle area a mile or so down the trail.

The next challenge was a similar set-up; bike drop off area and a balance beam obstacle that both runner and biker would have to perform. Once again we agreed on a place to leave the bike and rode on to obstacle #3. So far so good.

The trail to the third obstacle was a little more difficult to navigate and according to Tim was a new addition to the course. The ground had recently been cleared, was very soft and bumpy with exposed tree roots. Not a huge problem but choosing the correct bike gear would be important. I felt bad for Ally as I knew she’d be riding this leg and all I had to do was run it.

The third obstacle was a large a-frame structure where you had to climb over the first strut, under the next one before climbing over the top and down the other side. I must say I’m glad we chose to preview the course and try out the obstacles – it definitely made things easier on race morning.

The ride to obstacle #4 was a little longer (I think). We agreed on where to leave the bike but couldn’t try out the giant inflatable slide as it was lying in a crumpled heap on the ground. Tim said it was a fun obstacle but last year fell off the climbing net getting to the top of the slide. Should be interesting I thought..

Finally we rode leg #5; a scary downhill with too much gravel and a deceptively long bend down to a small stream. Luckily I managed to stay upright but again felt bad for Ally who would be riding this leg. Actually I felt triple-bad. Not only would she have the downhill to navigate, she’d have to carry her bike across the stream and negotiate a lung-busting uphill section back to the main road; arguably the most difficult and challenging part of the race. At least she’d have almost a mile of regular road to ride before she got to the finish though.

From the stream, we rode single file to the finish area where we’d have to crawl through the giant mud pit before crossing the finish line. What a way to end a race!

Well now that I’ve walked you through the course preview, there’s not much to tell you about the race. It went pretty much to plan and was really a ton of fun. The various age divisions went off in waves; bikers first with the runners setting off about a minute later. We were in the 8th or 9th wave so had plenty of time to watch some of the earlier waves leave; I wondered how many of them had no clue what was in store for them!

Eventually it was our turn to start; Ally on the bike, me on the sidelines watching her set off. Apparently ours was the largest wave and it took a while for the bikers to get moving. Several of the competitors looked frustrated as they were keen to get going, but had nowhere to go.

A minute or so later the runners were off, tearing down the trail, jockeying for position. I held back a little in about 5th or 6th place and watched the faster starters catch the slower bikers and negotiate their way around them. Gradually I picked my way through the field and ended up out in front of the runners and trading places with several of the bikers on the uphills and downhills.

Eventually I reached obstacle #1, climbed the wall, hopped off the other side and ran over to Ally’s bike which was in exactly the position we’d agreed on. Just as well too, bikes were laid everywhere and people were getting frustrated looking for their ride. I made a quick seat post adjustment and was off.

I’m not a strong biker by any means, but was able to hold my own for most of the leg. I passed Ally who was now running an uphill section, shouted some words of encouragement and sped off. She looked relaxed but was probably thinking about what lay ahead.

Before I knew what was happening I’d reached the balance beam obstacle. I ditched the bike, took my time on the beam and set off on the tricky third leg. I tried to imagine where Ally would be and wondered if she’d be able to catch me before I reached obstacle #3. It turned out to be a tough bike leg for her which gave me a few minutes to catch my breath at the a-frame obstacle.

She soon arrived amongst a large pack of bikers, smile on her face and happy to be running again (I think!). I adjusted the seat post, grabbed some water and was soon off riding leaving Ally to negotiate the obstacle and run the 4th leg.

The ride to the giant slide was a fun one; nice downhills and a nice gentle uphill. The slide was even more fun; cargo net to the top, launch yourself down the other side. The last run leg was the longest; down the hill (which didn’t seem as long or dangerous as it did yesterday), through the stream (the cool water felt great), up the slope the other side before hitting the road and running the final 0.8 miles to the finish area.

I felt great on this final part of the course and hoped Ally was doing ok on her difficult last leg too. The crowds lining the finish were fantastic; really enthusiastic and a big boost for everyone taking part. I waited in the runner’s corral, chatted to a few other competitors about the race and then saw Ally riding up the path to the biker drop off area. I ran round the back of the corral to meet and congratulate her, before jogging to the mud pit for the final obstacle; under the cargo net, into the pit and crawl 20 or 30 feet through deep sticky mud. Great fun and I’m sure the finish line photo will be tremendous (I’ll post it when they’re available online).

It took a while to get “showered off” after the race [yes, that’s the Celtic Couple cleaning up; photo courtesy of the Richmond Times Dispatch slideshow]. Apparently a water main had burst and there was no water pressure in any of the 50 or 60 garden hoses they’d laid on for the athletes. The mud was starting to dry, but it was actually quite a funny situation with everyone in good spirits.

Our finish time was pretty good and we managed to duck under an hour, placing 28th out of 74 teams in the 74-85 CoEd division. Muddy Buddy is highly recommended and a great alternative to the typical road races we tend to run week in week out. We’re already talking about next year’s event and planning an extra day camping so we can take in more of the State Park.