As someone who is active pretty much everyday, I tend to sweat a lot. If I’m not teaching a class, I’m working out in one form or another. With it being summer, I love partaking in a couple of the marathons that happen here in Winnipeg.  Most times I’ll just do a charity run, but some of the more dirtier ones are also super intriguing.

I’ve done Colour Me Rad before, which had me washing my clothes for months after running it, but probably the dirtiest of them all, Mud Hero was held here last Saturday in Grand Beach, Manitoba. I’m not usually one that likes getting dirty, but I’ve heard so many great things about this run that I wanted to give it a try.  Mud Hero is a six-kilometre race with 16 obstacles.  The majority of the obstacles were trekking through waist-high mud pits, so I was prepared to get really messy.

I made sure to pick up some inexpensive clothes and runners at Walmart before the race, as I didn’t care if my new nine dollar sneakers got messy compared to my expensive Nike Free Runs. I also made sure to load up on deodorant for before and after.

Mitchum was kind enough to sponsor my participation in the run (they are also a sponsor of Mud Hero), and they also sent me a shirt to get dirty in, as well as their new Dry Advanced Control Spray.  The Dry Advanced Control Spray is available in two scents for women – Powder Fresh and Pure Fresh (my favourite) – and two Sport scents for men, goes on your skin instantly dry, has maximum wetness protection with the highest level of active ingredients, a 48-hour wetness and odour protection (an absolute must for Mud Hero), and is alcohol free.

I made sure to use the deodorant both before and after the race. It was so easy to use because you just spray it on, and like the name says, it’s a dry spray, meaning that you don’t have to wait for it to dry. Although Mitchum is sponsoring this post, I sincerely really like the product (I want to pick up some of the Sport ones as well, even though they are for men haha). I love how this won’t transfer onto your clothes, it also helps dry up your underarm area.   This was my first foray into spray deodorants in general and I absolutely loved how quick and easy these are. You literally just spray and go. I usually go for the cream or gel ones, but have always been intrigued by the spray-on versions.  After using the Mitchum Dry Advanced Control Spray, i’m finding it hard to go back to the cream or gel-based deodorants. These are so much easier and convenient to use.

My day started off with waking up at 6:45 am to make it to Grand Beach in time for my wave at 9 a.m. I was at the lake with my girlfriends, so I grabbed one of them to help me take photos, and we drove all the way to Hilltop Resort.

It took me a little under an hour to complete the 6K. Like I said, there were lots of mud pits, some climbing walls, obstacles to jump over, and then the real kicker was sliding down a tall, steep slide into a lake of mud below. Up until that point I was pretty good at keeping everything above my chest (and armpits) clean, however, after being engulfed in the swamp water, I was a mess. I climbed out of it, shook it off, and then realized that I wasn’t quite done yet. A couple more obstacles later I crossed the finish line, medal in hand and a smile on my face. I couldn’t wait to shower and freshen up.

Changing into a clean T-shirt and spraying some Dry Advanced Control Spray later, I got to chill in the beer tents and chat with some people and learn about why this was their great moment and what got them to sign up, like Doris and Heidi, 17 and 16 respectively, sisters who signed up together.

“My sister made me come to this, but I also get to run it with my boyfriend!” said Doris D., 17.

Glenn V., 49, was challenged to do the race by three people, but he was the only one who actually showed up. “This is cool, it’s outside and for a great charity. It also gets people moving.”

After the race I had a drink with a couple of brothers, Sean (26) and Daniel (24), who said this was one of their great moments because it’s a different thing to do.

“I’ve never done something like this before. It was a fun time, I got to jump in the mud. Live, laugh, love. Also, I loved all the dogs that were here,” said Sean.

Sean’s brother Daniel loved all the camaraderie and how everyone was super supportive. He also mentioned that they’ve never done a mud run before and this is a great moment because he got to face his fear head on.

Mitchum’s whole campaign message is all about great moments (Great moments make you sweat!), which after now completing Mud Hero, I can easily say that running this is one of my great moments, as I pushed myself to complete it (in under an hour, no less!), I got head-to-toe dirty (including inside my ears – I had the worst ear ache after!), and the fact that I couldn’t even run for two minutes six years ago.  I would have to say that’s it’s a pretty big accomplish to finish Mud Hero, sweat, mud, dirt and all.

Let me know if you’re planning on getting dirty this summer with Mud Hero, as well as your great moments from this summer.

Special thanks to Mitchum for sponsoring this post, as well as hooking me up with their new Dry Advanced Control Spray, it was much needed! Also, if you are planning on doing Mud Hero this summer (they’re in Alberta next, August 5-7, 2016), make sure you check out the Mitchum tent where you can sample the product and get a coupon for a free Dry Advanced Control Spray. You can find Mitchum at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide.

Also, don’t forget to enter my Genuine Health giveaway, I’m giving away a tub of their new fermented Greek yogurt proteins+ powder and bars!

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