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What to Bring to a Mud Run

In a mud run, like in most types of races, you have to come well-prepared or you won’t enjoy yourself. So, how do you prepare for a mud run and what should you take with you?

Must-Have Items

Here’s a list of items you must take with you for a mud run:

The Right Clothing

Of course, you wouldn’t go for a mud run without clothes. And if you are going to wear clothes, you need the right type. The right clothing includes running sneakers, compression pants, socks, elbow pads, knee pads, rash guard, and a few other items.

Ensure that your clothes are not loose-fitting because they will feel heavier once they soak up mud and water. This will slow you down while running.

Extra Clothing

Since it’s a mud run, you should probably expect your clothes to get dirty.

You don’t want to be in your car, going home with filthy clothes, and this is why you should come with an extra piece of each clothing you wear. Of course, keep the extra pair in your car – you don’t want it to get dirty before you can even use it.

Hydration Pack

Female runner drinks water on training stadium

A hydration pack will come in very handy, and it is one of the most important items on this list. This pack will hold most of the other items on this list, so you’ll have them with you while racing. The hydration pack also holds your rehydration drink or water. If you ever need to rehydrate while the race is on, you can easily take a sip.

Energy-Boosting Snacks

This may only be necessary if you are going for a long run. A long run will take hours, and you may get tired along the line. If you do get tired, energy-boosting snacks like energy bars and gel candies can help you recover mid-race.

You can also carry an energy drink for this purpose. Apart from taking energy-boosting snacks during the race, you may also save them until after the race for the same purpose.

Ordinary Water

This should be part of your hydration pack. You may choose to go for a Gatorade or any other energy drink as your rehydration drink. But having regular drinkable water is also important.

Water is a better alternative to energy drinks; it is easier on your body and is better for thirst. You do not have to worry about choosing between an energy drink and water since you can carry both in your hydration pack.

Plastic Bag

This will be very useful if you have an electronic device you want to keep with you. The plastic bag will protect your devices from getting wet. Now, if you do not need to hold these devices while running, you could just keep them in your car. Alternatively, you could give them to someone who came with you as a spectator.

Band-Aids

No one wants to get injured during a mud run, but sometimes it happens. Your protective gear may offer some protection, but some part of your body will still remain exposed to injuries.

If you get a bruise or a cut, a band-aid will come in handy during first aid. The organizers of the mud run should have band-aids in their first-aid kit, but if they don’t, you are covered.

Bandages

Man bandaging injured ankle First aid for sprained ligament

The bandages will also come in handy in the same way as the band-aids. If you have a sprain, a crepe bandage will be useful in administering first aid.

Gauze bandages will be useful when administering first aid for bruises and cuts.

Keep in mind that an organized mud run should have a medical tent for anything serious like a dislocation or major cuts.

First-Aid Disinfectant                                 

Before covering cuts with a band-aid or a gauze bandage, you have to disinfect it. This is where a first-aid disinfectant comes to play.

You can take alcohol wipes, a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide, or iodine. Any of these will do.

Hand Sanitizers

If you do get injured, you wouldn’t want your wound to be taken care of with dirty hands. Now, there might be no soap and water around, but with hand sanitizer, you can clean your hands before tending to your wound.

Pain Killers

You may also want to bring along a pain killer. You might need it for the pain that comes with a possible injury. You may also feel sore when the race is over, and a pain killer can help with that.

You can choose acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. While these drugs are OTCs, you should verify that they are suitable for you.

For instance, ibuprofen and aspirin are not suitable for people with active stomach ulcers. So, make sure you discuss with a pharmacist to confirm what is best for you.

Try Your Outfit Before the Race

You should try out your mud run outfit before the actual race. Put it on and test it in conditions that mimic mud run conditions. You can try taking a bath in your kit then running with it while wet.

Alternatively, you could jump into a lake or a pond around you, then run with the wet kit.

The importance of this test is to confirm that your kit does not get uncomfortable or itchy when you use it in the actual race.

Blue bottle of sunscreen on towel background

Extra Items for Beginners

Besides the items listed above, you should also take the following to your first race:

  • Sunscreen
  • Spending Cash
  • Valid ID
  • Camera
  • Dark-Colored Towel
  • Wet Wipes

Some Tips for Reducing Muddiness

Nobody comes out of a mud run clean. Your hair, your fingers, and your skin might need some grooming when the race is over.

So, how do you make things easy for yourself?

  1. Moisturize your hair before the race. This way, most of the grit and mud will slide off your hair.
  2. You can also use a shower cap to protect your hair from the mud.
  3. You may be tempted to wax, shave, or pluck your hair before the race. Our honest advice is you shouldn’t. Doing any of these will lead to tiny cuts on your skin. These cuts will leave you prone to infections, and you certainly don’t want that.
  4. Your fingernails will certainly pack a lot of dirt on the day, and it might take a while to get the dirt out. So, you should cut them before the race. Alternatively, you can clean them with a brush after the race, but cutting them seems like an easier option.

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