To not understand the appeal of muddy obstacle courses?

[bluespiral]

A couple of unrelated people on my FB have posted horrendous looking pictures of themselves at something called Rock Solid, which I gather is an obstacle course.

They are wading through mud, completely covered in it. They don't look like they're having much fun to be honest.

I really don't understand the appeal. It's my idea of hell. What on earth do people get from it?

[Oysterbabe]

It's fun. Not something everyone would enjoy but I did tough mudder and got a lot out of it, not to mention raised a good amount of cash for charity.
People enjoy different things.

[curren]

I don't get it.

But then I don't get people who like to go hill walking, do mountain climbing, go running or cycling endlessly.

I imagine some people don't get my hobbie. I spend 5 hours a week sparring or as some one once said

'why would you want to spend an hour fighting with people'

I can't explain it. I love kick boxing.

[Summerisle1]

YANBU. This sort of muddy hell has become popular round here. It's badged as 'Urban Fitness' which is ironic given that the worst of it occurs well outside the town. I have friends who signed up for some of this (it's not cheap either!) and have taken part in horrendous days crawling through lakes of mud only to do themselves serious damage. Fitness programmes are good. But this stuff has the basis to cause long term injury.

[bluespiral]

If it's to fundraise then I can kind of understand it a bit more. But I don't think these people were - they certainly haven't mentioned any charities.

[curren]

But this stuff has the basis to cause long term injury

that goes for most sports. Especially marathons. People don't prepare properly for marathons and half marathons and end up getting injured or worse.

No different though.

[AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered]

YANBU not to understand it. I personally LOVE things like this, it's such a joyous experience and really gets the endorphins going, but I appreciate it's not for everyone.

[curren]

Sorry should have said 'that's goes for most sports and events'

[Summerisle1]

that goes for most sports. Especially marathons. People don't prepare properly for marathons and half marathons and end up getting injured or worse.

Yes, agree!

However. people are encouraged to prepare for marathons and there's a lot of information about specific training programmes. If people don't prepare properly then yes, they are reckless and will injure themselves.

However, from my observation, this Muddy Hell stuff is very light indeed on preparation. Running around the local rec for a few nights isn't adequate. Nor is the way that they encourage everyone to be able to do this stuff.

[ridingabike]

I don't get it either OP. I enjoy running and I do cross-country which can get rather muddy and sometime puddles where the water gets into my shoes.

But the Grim, Toughmudder etc. No idea what the attraction is. But we all like different things I guess :)

[Lweji]

You should try it and then comment.

Or you don't fancy trying, so just leave them be. I'm sure they also don't get what you get out of posting this thread.

[bluespiral]

I am leaving them be Lweji. I'm not posting my thoughts on their FB, I'm doing so anonymously here because I was curious as to whether I was the only one who didn't get the appeal. And I definitely don't need to try it to know that I would absolutely hate it!

[Oysterbabe]

I can only speak about the one I've done but there was a huge emphasis on preparation, weekly emails with training schedules etc.

[curren]

However, from my observation, this Muddy Hell stuff is very light indeed on preparation. Running around the local rec for a few nights isn't adequate. Nor is the way that they encourage everyone to be able to do this stuff.

Actually that's not true. Once you are signed up there is a lot of advice, weekly emails, help with training schedules etc

[Lurkedforever1]

I really enjoy stuff like that, high energy, challenging outdoor sports are my idea of fun. I don't personally understand why so many people think sitting around and eating chocolate watching tv, or going out for cake, or going to beauty parlours etc is enjoyable. They're all a bit pointless and boring to me. However once you get to age 5 it's pretty easy to understand we all enjoy different things because we're all different.

[ghostoftheMNchicken]

They sort of sound fun, but apparently the injury rate for Tough Mudder is high. puts me off a bit.

[bluespiral]

Obviously we're all different. And even though I'm not sporty myself I can quite understand why people enjoy sports.

But covering yourself head to toe in mud in the cold? Why? How is that fun? I don't think anybody genuinely enjoys it, I think they just think it's cool to say they do.

[curren]

But in the same vain. I don't get why people like massages.

Why would you want a stranger to slop oil on you and rub you all over?

But some people like it.

Somethings are fun for some people.

[BarbarianMum]

Actually some people pay a lot of money to have cold perfumed mud slathered on them as a beauty treatment. Each to their own. You sound very closed minded.

[GummyBunting]

I am a runner, and to be perfectly honest running can get boring. That's why there are so many weird runs; colour run, cake run, night run, obstacle/mud runs. It makes it a bit more interesting, especially if you've spent a lot of time distance training for a marathon. Breaks the monotony.

But I agree with pps, they do seem to attract non-runners who think a few goes on a treadmill is enough to prepare. Tis a good way to do yourself a mischief.

[herecomethepotatoes]

because getting muddy is fun and challenging yourself is rewarding.

what challenging and rewarding things do you do OP?

[NotAnotherNameChangeAgain]

This sounds like the kind of thing I'd love.
There's a huge level of satisfaction and comfort in
a) getting warm after you've been very cold
b) getting clean after you've been very dirty
c) resting after a really tough day

Plus it sounds like great fun.
I think YANBU because its clearly not something you'd enjoy but I'd love that kind of thing. Wish more of my female friends were into it. My male friends would do it in a heartbeat but they're mostly firemen or athletes so I'd feel like I was slowing them down...

[NotAnotherNameChangeAgain]

That sounded really sexist, sorry! It just so happens that my female friends aren't sporty at all and my male friends are extremely sporty. Of course their gender doesn't matter

[cbigs]

I did total warrior a couple of years ago. I am not an athlete or fit I trained from a couch potato to do it and raised abit of money for charity. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. Fantastic day. I'm doing it again this year.
I think you are not unreasonable op because you are right in that you don't get it. Why would you if you've never done it?

[MrsJayy]

Dd has done tough mudder TWICE she loved it had a great time she was part of a team and they all helped each other I would rather stick pins in my eyes yanbu but different strokes and all that

[mamapants]

I always assumed its about testing yourself and knowing you can keep going even if it isn't pleasant.
I also assume city people probably find them appealing as it will be quite different to running in a gym or road running in an urban area. Whereas in the country you are quite likely to get covered in mud just walking the dog