Goodwill Mud Run of Spring 2015

I find it’s very difficult to get the most out of adventure and travel if my current level of fitness is holding me back. I am one of those types who gain weight far too easily and practically have to kill myself to take any of it back off. It’s hardly my fault though – beer is just plain good!

Recently I’ve made a decision to take my health back and do whatever it requires to reach those self-imposed fitness goals. In doing so, I’ve created a new category in Big John’s Adventures in Travel titled Adventure Fitness. For my first post in this new, motivational category, I will take you to my hometown of Greenville, SC for the Goodwill Mud Run of spring, 2015.

The Goodwill Mud Run,  presented by St. Francis Sports Medicine, is a 3.5 mile long race with 35 muddy obstacles for teams to compete in. Rebecca and I entered this event for the first time together.  Our two-person team “Wanderlust” may not have been the fastest, but I definitely believe we had the most fun!

0119ca97a27a57c2616131945a5a254bf2b0759ffb

 Team Wanderlust (Rebecca & Big John) feeling all clean and neat just before the Goodwill mud run.

01ed0ba4fadef0bc411e692d72d602cc880d2dc9a1

Sgt. Zach Ervin of the U.S. Marine Corps motivates racers as they encounter their first obstacle at the Goodwill mud run.

Marine Corps reservists from Greenville, SC volunteer their time to ensure runners are properly motivated and complete each obstacle in the prescribed manner.

012b07c5e7bee97414484fca258cd352e001039ce6_00001

 Marines motivate runners as they take that first muddy plunge!

01bd340fae52b24759f906c8a9a84237d5835f2e53

In addition to cash prizes being offered to the fastest teams of  various classes, the Goodwill Mud Run hosts a costume contest of sorts that can also be rewarding.

01e5bc0e8c03d8708a9973ebf4c478b5c43c99aae7

These guys were a very colorful bunch of characters!

Goodwill Mud Run

…and off we go!Goodwill Mud Run

Big John and Rebecca go for gold at the Goodwill mud run in Greenville, SC.

01151228a70e69e845c768703de5ff4b423927d74c

 014f1b99d6e1f28abc864d4543a29cc9573c0dc37a_00001

01c402e68e3b953c5254084f1126f630b8f4d23e0b

Look at Greenie go!

01db9814da0a3616f497aed5d0720b44cccae6c429_00001

You’ve got to get low to crawl under that Humvee!

01513a9291f8057c2d7cc35ba91cd420aa0a6214cb_00001

Climbing up and through those dark, wet tunnels!

01bb9a0f9cc38fdf373bb2b35db73f8b6022e363f1

That marine thought they looked hot and thirsty!

01115354aa93536dc075ee73eee43db0eedb7c5e8e_00001

013d946f10f6aaeccca0e3b2b5b6c8432ecf53dccd

 These guys and gals make light work of those cargo nets!

0134937731d880fdb773792f9230471b47f3352ee6_00002

01b6724673fb5c4556f33c9655394029c44c025438

012dde4adb61cce30893b192cde5d04c2f0f232d37_00002

The center of the course runs right through a river!

01c1d8be1ec7efed138c9fc47b27ff0435ff71010e_00001

Now that’s what I call teamwork!

013889bd7b1798d919bf9a2f02d6370a2d2c23f3b5

Mud diving mania!

0191655820aa7d21af78ef1bdfe99a0f2adced2fbd_00001

Ripping up the mountain of mud!

01c024bd8ad407852b91d42811358354975494c43d

017b6c4a1b30ebd8ea94184c13927ae27d6d7d0372

A helping hand goes a very long way in conquering this wall!

0177422544bd7a9cebdb51ef537a97e177f4f0f4ce

These colors do run!

01a8a0a2bac89d57b25e195a889cf1eab8e6aa430c_00001

Goodwill Mud Run

Rebecca is a squinty one-eyed pirate – Argghh!

Goodwill Mud Run

I look like a manatee or perhaps a wounded seal (the sea animal, not the highly-trained warrior type).

016fdb3aeb38404fe75aef247152897804d7ee8340

With the finish line in sight!

01ac1b63681efb95f0f0b32fa2d43191a65b9d15a3

That’s my “I’m much too old for all of this” face!

Goodwill Mud Run

Me and my sassy little buccaneer!

019e9516a5adb196667c9e85c9f31eed524d1266d5

This is what we looked like just after the run!

013be07ae1cda2f943b066db7f16cd4969fcdce92e

She’s so sassy!

018a6549b6985f66da2376e2888beab9ca593382b0

I figured someone might want a gun show after their run.

010219c06c909cdb0cce75acaee724fcbd0b9c1714_00001

PDQ provided the venue with tasty chicken, scrumptious sandwiches, and delicious salads.

010de0140c535b8c15702283a083bb2bec1a588b6a_00001

Liquid Catering was on hand to provide adult beverages and soft drinks for thirsty racers and spectators alike.

Hey, don’t judge me because I definitely earned that beer!

01abe67e4622524e57a08bedebb2f451290520e45a_00001

The Upstate Young Marines (Youth Organization) operating a Mud Run for the smaller ones. 

(They said I was short enough for the course but was disqualified due to my age.)

015c2e6af4af06bf953003a11a5f85b078f89fc5c1

Rebecca ran so hard her soles fell off! Now that girl’s got some drive!

01e025f5c2195519a263e0d94ddb463341df8725ea

My run is done, now time for fun!

01d77f35c7399467dd259e82094bc7751ce876774a

The Goodwill Mud Run, like every other obstacle course run, is not only a fun and rewarding experience for its participants. These events raise lots of money for charity and are often boosted by sponsors within the local community.

My next planned event is the Navy Seal’s BattleFrog run in Atlanta, May 2015.  Yeah, wish me luck because this old man needs it! I’m taking the whole family out on this one, so you’d better come back and see the results. In the meantime, get off that couch and find a fitness adventure of your own. When you do, be sure tell us all about it in the comments section below.

Thank you for visiting my site. Feel free to explore more of my blog and share some love on social media. I hope you will visit again real soon!

Happy travels,

Big John


Posted in Adventure Fitness, North America and tagged , , by with comments disabled.