MY FIRST MUD RUN: PRE-RACE CHECKLIST

I am typically a scatterbrain, and I constantly need tools or systems to remind me of important events. Use this ultimate pre-race checklist for your first mud run or the hundreds that will follow. This checklist will help you remember to bring all the gear that you will need on race day.

• Registration confirmation
• Cash
• Food and water
• Anti-chafing cream
• Sunscreen
• Sportswear clothing
• Energy gels
• Salt tablets
• Hydration vest
• Gloves
• Knee and elbow pads
• Trash bag
• Trail running shoes
• Clean shoes
• Towel
• Deodorant
• Bar soap
• Backpack

The two most important things you should always bring to your race are your A-game and friends. This list’s not in any specific order, but it will mention some of the essential things you will need to bring to succeed in your first obstacle race.

Registration confirmation

After signing up for your race, you will receive an email confirmation with detailed information about your race date, time, and location. Like me, you can go old school and print the registration bar code or take a photo with your smartphone and bring it to the registration booth.

Make sure to bring your ID so that they can confirm your identity. If you are a foreigner, your passport will suffice.

Travel

Remember that some of these races are in remote areas where GPS might not work. When I had Sprint as my service provider, it sucked. When technology fails, you need to have a backup plan.

You can do the night before race day to print your directions, or if you do not have a printer, have a pen and paper and start writing.

Cash

I seldom carry cash nowadays. I believe most of us do not. But on race day, however, you will need some money mainly to cover parking, but also food and whatever emergency comes your way. I know Spartan has ATMs. Not all races are as big as Spartan, so make sure to bring some greens.

Anti-chafing cream

You should try to train, every now and then on your race day clothing. This should give you a good indication as to whether or not you will need anti-chafing cream. If you do need it, there are so many products out there to choose from. You can always go with old-school vaseline.

Sunscreen

We are extreme sports enthusiasts, this does not mean that we are careless. Make sure to bring your favorite sun protection brand and, also be sure that it is waterproof since you will be getting in the mud and water-filled obstacles, like the Spartan Race “Mud Pit”

Sportswear clothing

Wear cotton for the festivities. For your mud race, wear clothing designed, depending on the weather, to keep you cool or warm. Sportswear should be fitted so you do not get caught on the barbed wire but flexible enough to not restrict movement.

Make sure to wear fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. This becomes especially important when it comes to your feet. If anything else is sure to buy a good pair of running socks, Swiftwick makes great socks for wet conditions.

Energy gels

I love Huma Chia energy gels, they are not as sweet as other options out there and they will provide all the energy you’ll need for a mid-range distance. Make sure to bring whatever gels you have consumed during your training, this is very important not to try something different on race day.

It could potentially upset your stomach and take you out of the race before you know it.

I personally consumed gels only when I know my race will take more than one hour. After the hour, I consume the energy gels every 30 minutes. Please read this great article from Runners Connect about energy gels during your run.

Salt tablets

Depending on your distance and time on the course, energy gels and plain water might not be enough. Especially on hot days, you want to make sure to keep a good electrolyte balance. This is where having salt tablets its a great idea.

As with the energy please read this great article from Runners Connect about electrolytes during your run.

Hydration pack

When I am running, especially on the trail, I want a hands-free experience. Out on the course your hands always have to be ready for action. Use your hydration pack to carry your water, food, salt tablets, etc.

For shorter races you can always invest in a hydration belt, they work great and minimize the bulk, helping you to be more efficient going through the obstacles.

There are so many cool options out there. They make some hydration vests design for the OCR athlete in mind.

Gloves

Do what you feel is right for you about wearing gloves. Try them and test them during your training, if you can. The gloves will protect your hands from scrapes, thorns, and splinters. Whether or not they work on the wet obstacles or after they get all muddy, that it’s questionable. I leave this totally up to you.

Knee and elbow pads

Knee and elbow protection in my opinion are important. I wear arm sleeves to protect my elbows, to protect my knees I pulled my calf sleeves up when I am doing the Olympus wall for example. There are some cool knee and elbow pads out there that will give you all the protection that you will need.

Trash bags

After you have completed your awesome race and have come out of the showers you will need a plastic trash bag to place all of your wet and muddy clothes in. I normally carry two 12 gallon trash bags, just in case and they work great.

Trail running shoes

Please leave your road shoes at home. Every time you do a job or perform a task, you need the right tools to save time and to do the job right. Proper trail/ OCR shoes are your tool, not only to perform better but also for safety.

You will go through muddy hell and technical terrain my friend. And to minimize falls and give you good traction you need good quality gripping shoes. My go-to shoe is the Inov8 Mud claw.

Clean shoes/ flip flops

Make sure to bring a change of shoes or flip-flops to change into after you come out of the showers. Your feet will be happy and thank you for the so-needed comfort of a dry shoe.

Towel

This is an essential item you must not leave home. I once forgot to bring my towel and it was awful to put on my clean clothes over my wet body. I normally bring a beach towel.

Keep in mind they will get nasty, so use only one or two, preferably a dark color. Only use them for your obstacle races.

Deodorant

If you are planning on staying during the festivities and hanging around for a long time after your awesome race. Make sure to put on bring your deodorant, and put it on.

Bar soap

You can bring your own bar soap or body wash, either one will work great. And as a good sign of comradery makes sure to offer some of it to your fellow runners. I personally prefer using a body wash, easier to carry, easy to handle.

Backpack

This might sound dumb, but I have done it. Please do not forget your backpack at home or at the hotel, with all of your stuff in it. As a rule of thumb, I learned to always load my car the night before to avoid any regrets.

Make it a habit to go over your checklist as you are packing and as you are loading your car. This is a great habit that will help you in other areas of your life.

Conclusion

The most important thing you need to bring to your obstacle course race is a winning attitude and the right expectation. This is an extreme sport and you will be challenged like never before. Go out there have fun and do your best. AROOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!