How To Own Your Strong: You Can Do Mudderella (Photo Intensive)

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for #Mudderella2015. I received complimentary admission to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015, except those with the Mudderella logo, provided by the event photographers.

Momma Told Me: Mind over body.

When I was a young girl I avoided sports and physical exertion at any cost. Yes, I could climb a tree, and I certainly felt more at home rough-housing with the boys than the girls, but the idea of competing or eve cooperating in a group, or breaking into a sweat, was not my concept of enjoyable. Then, at 11 entering 8th grade, my knee blew out doing absolutely nothing, standing in the center of our family's kitchen. One twist the wrong way and I was landing on my knee, tearing a tendon. It was an incident that got me a free pass from physical education though out high school, but somehow remained an excuse through my adulthood.

A few years ago I began doing 'fun runs,' such as The Color Run. For me, they were really more 'fun' than 'run,' as me and my teams walked them. For me, there was no accomplishment, or bragging rights, in the idea of running a 5k, so I felt no motivation to do so. This year I began exploring other events I could add to my yearly lineup. An uncle of mine had recently completed a Spartan Race and, while the idea of something so intense and committed terrified me, I wanted to feel a similar sense of goal and achievement. My physical activity was pretty low- I'd only just began getting back in the gym, regularly, in January.

When I came across Mudderella, and announced I'd be attending, my friends and family voiced their concerns. A 6+ mile run/walk on rugged and varied terrain with 10+ obstacles including heights, mud, and water? But I knew Mudderella wasn't just some 'mud run,' I knew immediately, this was an experience I could achieve.

The first thing that makes Mudderella so very unbelievably awesome and unique is it's commitment to support. From the moment you sign up you will have access to their weekly training program, designed to help you shape all the right muscles for event day. This intimidated me at first, but really consisted of varied squats, muscle holds, and aerobics- anyone can do. There are even variations of exercises offered so you can decide just how much to push yourself.

And once you walk through that entrance gate on game day you are immediately a part of a very special community of women. Walking through that gate at the Solano County Fairgrounds (Vallejo, CA- NorCal Event) I felt instantly empowered and as though I were about to be a part of something truly great. Women of every age, shape, size, and ethnicity had gathered. And, while most teams or groups were dressed similar in matching outfits, I could easily see them commingling and socializing about the event- before it had even begun! So, after checking in, I stopped by 'The Works' and got my bib number painted on me, and a few very special temporary tattoos. I emerged feeling more and more like a warrior every second.

At the starting gate participants danced eagerly to the blasting music. I was surrounded by smiles, and pulled into the stories of the unique women surrounding me. Sure, some of the participants had GoPro cameras strapped to their chests and were there with the intent of breaking records and taking names but the majority of us were there to conquer for ourselves.

To my left I chatted with a few women my mother's age who shared that they were participating in honor of their friend, with cancer, who could not attend as planned this year. To my right, 'The Sloth Runners' made up a motley crew of women from 20-64 (I asked) of varying heights and weights. They explained there was no intent to conquer anything except their own personal fears, and that completion was the true prize. And, directly in front of me a group of college aged girls with impressively small waists and toned bodies, in tutus, twerked to Taylor Swift with an energy that was contagious.

Our 6 mile course had 3 water stations, sponsored by Pure Protein. At each one porta-potties stood as on site facilities, and volunteers furiously pumped water into Dixie Cups. Our first water station was stationed after I Got your Back (piggy back carry,) and just past the mile marker. I found the addition of Pure Protein bar cubes a great pick-me up addition to the classic water station concept.

Our first 'real' obstacle of the event was one commonly associated with Mudderella. While the obstacle lineup is not announced prior to the event, and varies with each city, Down To The Wire- or the Mud Crawl, is one boot camp style event that makes for great photos. It's not particularly tough- but it is the first opportunity we had to truly get muddy- as the event cameraman captured in the photo above. My, personal shots were captured with my Samsung Galaxy S4 in a Lifeproof case- I'm happy to report my phone was submerged multiple times and emerged with no damage :)

Own Your Strong And Join A Mudderella Event With Me! #Mudderella2015

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Mudderella. I received complimentary admission to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #Mudderella2015

Momma Told Me: Only you can define what it means to be a girl.

I was browsing Facebook in the wee hours of the night the other day and came across a meme in which a woman shared a conversation with her daughter. The woman had asked her young daughter what she wanted to be for Halloween his year and the daughter had replied, 'Thor.' Upon further pressing the mother became bewildered, "Don't you want to be something pretty like a princess?" to which the daughter replied, "Thor is pretty, mommy!"

Now, of course this is funny because Thor, or rather Chris Hemsworth, is in fact quite the specimen to behold, but clearly a character defined as man. Yet, his strength, bravery, and general badd-ass-ness (I don't care if it's not a word, that's what kind of post this is) is hypnotically alluring when combined with his flowing gold locks and piercing blue eyes. You see, I was that young girl. Growing up I was much more interested in climbing trees and chasing the 'bad guys' than playing with Barbies or wearing leggings. If you are a woman from my own tribe, and these sentiments ring true for you, then you just might be interested in unleashing the power of the woman at a Mudderella event.

Over the past few years I've shared my commitment to get healthier through small and gradual lifestyle and mental changes like cutting sugar from beverages, getting more sleep, and exercising regularly. I've done a few fun runs and I've improved my heart rate and mile time on the treadmill at home and at the gym. I take the stairs most of the time, and make sure I am getting up, out, and active throughout the day. I don't suppose I'll ever be toned and fit; and I am fine with that, so long as I continue to strengthen my core and constantly move towards challenging and improving myself. That is where Mudderella comes in.

I won't lie, the thought of tackling a 6 mile, obstacle laden, mud run course is entirely terrifying. The mud doesn't phase me at all, in fact, I am in it for the mud- well, the mud and the comradely of tackling such an event with some of my best buds, of course. But I am human, and I am aware I am so very critical of myself. I see flaws no one else sees and I fall hard when I set goals and can't quite attain them. If you are like me, Mudderella is still for you.

At Mudderella everyone finishes. Do all, or none, of the obstacles throughout your 5-7 mile trek. Run or walk the entire course (just so long as you don't leave your girlfriends in the duct, some obstacles require more than one person!) Go fast, or go slow- the only real rule is that you own your strong and come invested in the power of you. Arrive knowing your strength, willing to be surprised by the power of your own strength, and ready to embrace the truly amazing comradely of the thousands of women there with you (and they will be there ready to help, even if you are a complete stranger) and you can conquer Mudderella.

At no point on your path to Mudderella are you alone. There is a wealth of great resources online through the Mudderella website including a 12 week training program that is quite visual and easy for even a beginner to follow through with. The exercises are clearly designed to help you gear up for tackling the unique range of obstacles that might appear at your location on event day. Just take a look at the Down Dog Push Up designed to help train for the Downward Dirty Dog obstacle. Mudderella maintains a large group of active obstacles in their obstacle and rolls them out at different events depending on region, terrain, weather, and more. While you won't have an exact idea of what to expect, the online training and exercises are certainly designed to help make you your best for event day.

I will be bringing 3 friends to the NorCal event June 27th, 2015, but there are several events at locations across the nation open for registration now. While we haven't officially been able to register, though we hope to in the coming week, our team is already beginning to start the 12 week Mudderella training program at the gym and my bestie and I hope to met this week to do some obstacle training. You may recall Alicia Gonzalez of 24/7 Modern Mom as my roomie and blogger friend from BlogHer 2014, and #BloggerConfessions. She is not only a powerhouse of creativity, ideas, and business but a mom to triplets AND 2 boys, a total of 5 kids! She is an inspiration to me and I simply cannot wait to see her again for Mudderella as my teammate!

As you can see, there is a lot to consider, but, primarily, a lot to look forward to when joining a Mudderella event. I have done many styles of races and runs and few have impressed me even close to the organization and resources Mudderella has provided. And for those wondering, because I know you are, men are allowed to participate, especially if they dress up and get in on the fun (purple is the color of choice!) Just because Mudderella is the first all day athletic event designed by women for women does not mean friendly support and participation from the opposite gender is frowned upon! There is also a mini obstacle course for children, and guests are welcome to watch the action from the bleachers and special obstacle sidelines for a nominal fee.

I truly look forward to sharing more about my training process, the wonderful women on my team, and our participation in this year's Mudderella NorCal event. Now, tell me, which obstacle do you think might be the most fun/challenging for you? The tire run, the rope climb, getting muddy, giving piggy back rides???

What Daughter Says: Own your strong with a new goal and amazing memories at a Mudderella event near you.

Right now Mudderella has 9 US and two Canadian events planned for 2015, but you never know we might just decide to add a few more along the way, so be sure to check out www.Mudderella.com for all the latest info.  The current 2015 event schedule of events is:

 

-        NY/NJ – May 9, 2015 – Englishtown, NJ

-        Chicago – May 30, 2015 – Richmond, IL

-        NorCal – June 27, 2015 – Vallejo, CA <------ JOIN ME!!!

-        Toronto – July 11, 2015 – Kitchener, ON Canada

-        Capital Region – July 25, 2015 – Clarksburg, MD

-        Colorado – August 22, 2015 – Snowmass Village, CO

-        Pittsburgh – September 12, 2015 – Slippery Rock, PA

-        Whistler – September 26, 2015 – Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler, BC Canada

-        New England – October 3, 2015 – Thompson, CT