I was given a fee entry in the Foam Fest 5k in Washington, DC through my association with Fit Approach & Sweat Pink. All opinions are my own.
This was my first “Mud Run” obstacle course race. I am referring to the Foam Fest as a mud run because it was about 90% mud and 10% foam. I was really excited to this because it is so different than anything I normally do. I knew this would be way out of my comfort zone. I honestly have never been this dirty in my life!! I realized as we were driving there that I got my nails done the day before (ok and a pedicure too) -who does that?! Me!
Obstacle course races are definitely more fun with friends and I brought 3 from my MRTT group including my co-leader Alex (Lexielovestorun) and my 14 yo son. This race was a little farther away than we thought so we got there just in time to start our wave. The waves were small, about 40 people, which was a plus and we did start by running through a small burst of foam. We were off to tackle 10 obstacles. Because we were told not to bring our phones or cameras along, I don’t have photos of us doing the actual obstacles. These photos are borrowed from the Foam Fanatics website and Pinterest. They had photographers randomly scattered on the course.
Crawling through the bungee cords in the first pic was easy but the second one was a little tricky. It was full of mud and you could not see the rocks underneath. We scraped up our knees and elbows a bit. We continued on the trail through the woods. Obviously each location will vary on the conditions. The DC race was a mostly uneven, wooded terrain something I was not used to at all. It was very muddy and slippery at points and I was hoping not to twist my ankle. People were slipping and sliding quite a bit.
The log roll was fun and not hard at all. As you can see not much foam.
The “LILY Pad” was fun but our race was a mud pond that my friend, Louise, and my son fell right into. Hilarious! The wooden boards we had were similar to these but higher off of the ground. Also not too hard but challenging enough to feel like I was working. There was also a cargo net type obstacle which was a little tougher. I wore an old pair of bike gloves and I was glad I did. The ropes and the boards were rough on the hands.
This was the scariest obstacle for me as I am not that good with heights. This baby was high off of the ground. We had to crawl up the left side grasping at the rungs and then slide down the water slide. I screamed my head off on the way down to the amusement of my son. At the finish line there was another burst of foam to run through.
The Pro’s
-This was a ton of fun to do with friends & family. My son had a blast!
-The obstacles were challenging enough to feel like you got a work out
-It was well organized at the check in
-The waves were small and we did not run into any sort of back up
-1 free Mike’s Hard Lemonade was included for each entrant over 21
-There were hoses to wash off at the end
-Plenty of port a potties and changing area
-They provide free pictures on their website 1-2 weeks after the race
-The shirts and the medals are very nice
The Cons:
-It is very expensive ($70-90) so this might prohibit families from doing it together
-It really is a mud run and not a foam run
-There were only 2 photographers so we did not get that many pictures of really great times
-They only had water and 1 type of protein bar at the finish. I would have preferred some bananas or another option.
-There is a $10 charge to park in a field
This is our after picture after the hose down
What might I do differently?
-bring a disposable, waterproof camera to capture the fun stuff
-bring a large trash bag to put our clothes in
-wear a pair of trail shoes for more traction
–I would bring my own water to carry on course-it was a hot day and I could have used more
Would I do it again? Absolutely!
It was a fun, different way to get a workout in. Having my friends and my son with me made all the difference. We had lots of laughs and it was great to step out of my comfort zone (something I don’t do too often!) Oh and I know you are wondering-I made it through without breaking a nail whew!
#FoamFanatics #Foam5k #SweatPink
I would be more down for foam than for mud. Mud is just not my thing. All I would be able to think about it getting it off asap… But good for you!
I did not know it was muddy-I had resisted signing up for mud runs but once we got there we just had to go with the flow!
Looking at your “after” pics I am amazed how clean you guys got! I am not sure if a foam race is in my books (but never say never), but I know alot of people who would participate in one!
The pics were after we hosed off. I haven’t seen the muddy pics yet I am sure they are not so pretty. It was fun though
Thanks for the recap. I would have never guessed that the Foam run would be so muddy. The name is kind of deceiving…lol.
That is cool that you got a medal. You don’t often see that for those fun runs!
the name is deceiving yes but it was lots of fun. The medal is always a nice bonus!
That is AWESOME! WOW! That looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Maaaaannn I hope I can do one of those one day when I stop competing as a professional. That would be awesome. For now I am going to live through you….so I request you do many more of these so I can follow you and enjoy looking through the pictures!
Ha ha I thought I was living vicariously through you. Ironic! Yes I will do crazy things and you just keep being speedy and awesome 🙂
Mud runs just don’t appeal to me. And driving far and paying so much. I’m grumpy about races when I can “just run” so easily!
I tend to agree with you. Since I got this one for free I couldn’t complain about it. I wouldn’t do it every week but it was fun to check off the list
That looks like a blast! I have been looking for a ‘fun’ run – a color run or mud run or something- to sign up for but it seems like I have missed all the good ones near me until next Spring!
It was lots of fun to do with friends. Just know it is a mud run and be prepared!
That looks like a lot of fun, but a very off foam-to-mud ratio for being a “foam” race and being the “new mud”. Still looks like fun, but very odd.
Paying to park for a race you already paid for is just wrong in my book. But now I guess I see what the 5K obstacle course “ice cream run” I did touted the fact that parking was free. Guess it’s not common place for them.
I thought $10 for parking was a lot for such an expensive race. It was fun but definitely a mud race!
I’m running this on Saturday and I am sooo excited! I know it will be fun and I can’t wait for the death drop! I just wish there was a little more foam and the prices were cheaper. I probably won’t do it again after this year.
It is a ton of fun but not foamy. Wear the oldest shoes you have and bring a disposable camera if you can. Looking forward to reading your recap too.
HA, a trash bag at the end would have been handy.. those are amazing pics though and it looks like so much fun!! Foam or mud – always better with friends! 🙂
Yes always better with friends especially #SweatPink sisters!
Definitely pricey, but it does sound like fun! I’d love to try something like this at some point. I wonder if they have one in Baltimore!
I didn’t realize this race had so much fun but looks like a blast! So great that you are able to get your son into fun fitness like this!
Looks like a blast, especially that slide! I think I’d prefer more foam over mud but still would be fun to try!
I would have preferred foam too-LOL it was a blast though just messier than I thought. Thanks for stopping by
Good job on your first mud run! I was hooked after my first, they are so much fun!
Ha I can tell by your blog name that you must be!! I’m not sure I am a mud girl but it was loads of fun. Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again soon
I’ve never done a mud or color run. I don’t think I ever would though it sounds like fun. If I have to pay to run, I want it to be serious. But that’s just me.
Well truth be told-I got this entry for free so nothing to lose. It was a fun time albeit a little messy!
Well now I want to tap into my inner piggy and get DIRTYYYY!
Anytime lets do it!
I had no idea that the Foam Fest races had such fun obstacles, I’ll have to look into doing one! Great recap and I love how you listed the pros and cons. Thanks for linking up with us today!
Linking up was fun! I’d love to do it again. The race was fun just not what I expected. Have a great day
Great recap! I have always wondered what the Foam Fest races were like. I am not a fan of the mud runs because I worry about ruining my running gear, which I have a limited supply of. I was hoping that the foam runs would have more foam and less mud, but maybe they will add more in the future.
It was not what I expected but tons of fun! Everything came right out in the wash. I would worry more about a color run. Thanks for stopping by
You are a warrior! I have not run thru foam or mud! Mud does not excite me but I am impressed you worked thru your fear and you did not break anything!
Ha ha yes my nails and my body came through it unscathed! It was fun!
I just don’t think these races are for me! Maybe I’m getting old and cranky…I just want to run..not get dirty or colored or foamy. Plus I’m afraid of getting hurt! But I do think these races are a great way to get non-runners out there and moving!
True! there were a lot of people who were probably non runners and a few teens out there. I was afraid of getting hurt too! It was fun but I wouldn’t rush out to do another one.
Looks like so much fun!!! I never thought about bringing a disposable waterproof camera!!! 🙂 #wowlinkup
Yep they are kind of old fashioned but it would have come in handy for sure.
I love Mud Runs! They are totally different than any other 5K though I haven’t done one with foam and mud. Looks like fun!
It was definitely totally different than anything I had done before. It was fun to do with friends. Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like fun! I’ve never done a mud run and to be honest have never had a desire to. I’m always too afraid of getting injured because I am a clutz 🙂 But you had me at the free hard lemonade 🙂
I didn’t know I was doing a mud run! You know me-I’m not the muddy type! It was lots of fun though.
Should one wear old shoes? I don’t know if I would run in my best or new shoes? The MS society is putting one on in Chicago in August, I’m thinking about doing it. #wowlinkup
I wore an old pair of shoes and threw them away at the end of the race. They were toast! Don’t wear anything new or white!!
Should one wear old shoes? I don’t know if I would run in my best or new shoes? The MS society is putting one on in Chicago in August, I’m thinking about doing it. #wowlinkup
This sounds like fun a little but mud…what do you do about your shoes? I know petty but I just had to ask. LOL! At least they cleaned you off. 🙂 #wowlinkup
Ok it was so messy! I wore old shoes and threw them away at the end of the race. When the real muddy pics are posted I will show you. It was fun though
Those obstacles look kind of fun!
They were fun just messy!
I have my first mud run (and maybe my last) next weekend. It’s on my getting out of my comfort zone list for the year. So your post came at a perfect time. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it and it made me feel a little better about what I’m up against next weekend!! #wowlinkup
Lara believe me it was way out of my comfort zone too! It was lots of fun you will do fine. Just remember to wear old clothes and shoes. Let me know how it goes-Have fun!
Thanks so much for this review! I will be doing the Atlanta Foam Fest in September so I know what to expect. I am glad you had fun! #wowlinkup
You will have a blast! Remember to wear old shoes. I wish I had had one of those disposable cameras too. Looking forward to hearing about yours too. Have a great time!
Oh that looks like so much fun! Love that your son did it too! #wowlinkup
we had a great time together!
Just saw this and immediately thought of your post so wanted to share. Sad to see.
http://relentlessforwardcommotion.com/2014/07/an-open-discussion-on-the-cost-and-future-of-obstacle-racing/
Wow I hadn’t seen that! Thanks so much for sharing it. I guess I won’t be getting my muddy pics huh? I’m guessing the insurance is too high for them to continue perhaps.