Patriot Challenge 5k Mud Run

This past weekend we did the Patriot Challenge 5k Mud Run.  This was the first time we have done this race and we had a BLAST!

It took place in Indianapolis, IN at Lucas Oil Raceway and was dedicated to America’s heroes; our military, the police, firemen, all first responders and especially the heros of 9-11.  All proceeds were donated to the Wish For Our Heroes organization.  Not only was this run a lot of fun, it was for a great cause!

patriotschallenge

I’ve done quite a few mud runs now and this one was similar to the others but also very different.  Let me explain…

This race was more my style.  There were more obstacles within the 3 mile course than other races I’ve done.  When I’ve done the Warrior Dash and other similar runs in the past, it seems like there are always huge distances of just running.  The Patriot race had so many obstacles that I never felt like we had to run for long distances…which was awesome.   I’d much rather do the fun obstacles than spend time running!

I have no idea how many obstacles we actually did but I’d have to say it was around 20ish.

Here’s a list of some of the fun challenges we completed throughout the course:

Hockey – The first obstacle was to maneuver a field hockey ball through some cones and score a goal in the net.

Grenade Toss – Throw a grenade at a target.  We both hit the target but it didn’t go into the actual hole so we had to do do an extra army crawl through the mud as our punishment for not making the target 😉

Tire Pull & Rope Climb – Pull a tire behind you and then climb up a rope wall.

Drop water slide – This was a blast.  You drop off the ledge into a big puddle of water/mud.

20130708-091435.jpg

It was like a really fun slip and slide 😉

Mud Crawl – We had to crawl under the lines.  This was towards the beginning of the run and the first time of the race you really got really MUDDY.  I LOVE getting dirty!

20130708-091427.jpg

Hill Climb – Throughout the course there were a lot of little hills to climb, weather they were mud, rocks or dirt.

20130708-091431.jpg

Tire Flip, Tire Roll and Tire Carry- Throughout the race we saw tires quite a bit.  We had to flip big & heavy ones, roll some around a cone and carry it back.

Junkyard Climb – This challenge was one of the harder ones.  You had to climb up onto a tall box that I think was a trailer or something.  When you got to the top, you had to balance on beams across to the other trailer.  From there you had to drop yourself down and land on aluminum barrels where you could then jump down onto the ground.  It wouldn’t’ have been too hard if we weren’t already so muddy and wet which made things a bit slick.  It did make it more fun and challenging though!

20130708-091439.jpg

Upside Down Army Crawl – Have you ever tried to army crawl under a low net on your back? Me either.  This was a challenge!

Monkey bars– This just wasn’t going to happen with me.  My hands were so muddy and wet from the previous challenges that there was NO WAY I was hanging on to get through all the monkey bars.  I got to the second one and slipped off.  I wonder if anyone made it all the way across??

20130708-091454.jpg

Rope Swing – Hang onto the rope and swing yourself into a mud puddle.  This was also hard to do when your hands are so wet and muddy!

Wall Climb – Climb the wood wall and back down.

20130708-091449.jpg

There were SOOO many more obstacles that I don’t have pictures of and will leave them as a surprise in case you decide to do the Patriot Race next year.  Actually there’s another one taking place in Bloomington on 9/17 if you’re interested!  Here’s more info on the Bloomington run.

The last leg of the race ended on the Lucas Oil Raceway which was cool to be able to run where the race cars do their drag racing.  Here’s an awkward action shot of me as I was coming across the finish line.  I’m rocking my American flag!

20130708-091413.jpg

Below is an after shot of us in front of the Indianapolis Raceway sign.  I’d say my skin got quite the mud treatment this weekend, wouldn’t you agree?  Who needs a spa when you can do a mud run?!  Actually…. I do…because my poor feet need a pedicure SOOOO badly after this haha.

20130708-091405.jpg

Before cleaning off, we met Chet who was the mastermind behind this fantastic event!  Great work Chet!!!

20130708-091347.jpg

Then it was time to head over to the “cleaning station” which consisted of the hilarious firemen who were hosing us off with their firetruck.  I think they were having a lot of fun blasting us with water.  The fireman told me to come on over because the water was “nice and warm”.  Little did I know, it was freezing!  Oh well..it felt good after a long run!

20130708-091418.jpg

Back to clean….well kinda clean!

20130708-091358.jpg

Overall I give this race a great review.  I would definitely do this one again.  It was a lot of fun and a lot of kids were running in it too who looked like they were having  a blast.  You also always had the option to skip an obstacle if it’s too hard for you or your kids so feel free to bring kids to this event!!!  I even heard some little boy telling his mom how much fun he was having.  Awww!

Thank you to all the folks at the Patriot Race for letting Ryan and I be a part of this fun event for a great cause!!!

sig

Leave a Comment