• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » GET HEALTHY & FIT » Fitness Challenge: Getting Down and Dirty For Your Dream

in GET HEALTHY & FIT

Fitness Challenge: Getting Down and Dirty For Your Dream

Last updated on December 24th, 2012 at 04:20 pm

Heather: I run because I'm tired of waiting for next year for my Fitness Challenge

Hello health and fitness dreamers! Do you want to get down and dirty with your dream? The joy of having mud caked under your fingernails may not be the idea of your ideal fitness challenge. I didn’t think so until I tried it myself.

Sometimes the path you take to get to your health and fitness dream can be quite amusing. For example, take a look at my latest health and fitness challenge – an obstacle mud run.

Fitness Challenge: Want to be a Dirty Girl?

I came to find out about the concept of the obstacle mud run in a very roundabout way. As my constant new obsession of pushing my own limits, I wanted to make sure I had a few events scheduled before the end of the year.

It was pure chance that I caught a post on Google+ about a the Run for your Lives zombie run. What the hell? Yes, this is a 5k mud run with obstacle course, but the extra fun is that Zombie volunteers with Hollywood level makeup pop out and chase you!

This was right up my alley… exercise, the element of surprise that will make me want to run faster, and Zombies which is one of my favorite film genres. Unfortunately the closest event was in San Diego.

I know, it sounds completely nuts, and I’ve had mixed reactions from those I told about the event. But my friend KB saw that and immediately replied “You know about Dirty Girl, right?”

And a new obsession with obstacle mud runs started right there.

Go Dirty Girl - Mud Run & Obstacle course for women only

 

What a delightfully dirty day.Run, walk, climb, crawl—you will experience it all. With obstacle names like H2OMG and PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff), you can expect to laugh until your cheeks hurt. But don’t worry, if you get to an obstacle that’s more than a challenge for you—hey, take one of the detours. Also expect safety throughout. Expect the competition to go on rain or shine. Expect not to be timed. Expect some crazy team uniforms. Expect to leave with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
(SOURCE: http://www.godirtygirl.com/about/)

I started chatting about the Dirty Girl fitness challenge at various parties and events, to both friends and family, and managed to talk a few into actually experiencing the insanity with me! Cecelia and Sherry agreed to join me. They are both photographers in Sonoma County Photography Group run by fellow dreamer Remy and my husband Ray Mabry.

Before getting muddy at Dirty Girl 2012

We arrived at the Alameda Fairgrounds a couple hours before our scheduled wave and the party started as soon as we got out of the car. All around were teams with costumes, outfits that seriously decked out.

We are ready! Dirty Girl 2012 a great fitness challenge

Wandering into the main event area we got a preview of a few of the obstacles and watched throngs of women running and covered in various levels of mud, head to toe.

Ready to get dirty - Wave 15 at Dirty Girl 2012

The dance mix was pumping loud and the energy gaining speed while we found the registration area and made the event official with our race number and complimentary Dirty Girl t-shirt to commemorate the event.

The shirt is white, of course, and I tucked it away immediately since we were surrounded by groups of mud drenched women heading off the course.

We chatted and speculated on when and where we would get as muddy as some of the girls crossing the finish line. I stretched out a bit and had to laugh when I caught myself wiping a dirt smudge off my butt. I had no idea just how dirty that would be in a few short hours.

Off at the start of Dirty Girl 2012

We had plenty of time to check out the starting area and watch as groups headed out to get muddy. The energy and excitement was easy to get caught up in as we checked out the first few obstacles within view and watched as groups posed at the last “clean” spot they would have on the course that day.

The first of many obstacles at Dirty Girl 2012

My official photographer and husband Ray was there to capture the craziness and fun while we trudged into the first mud pit.

Ah… cold!

The shock of the first step into cold and wet with old running shoes I wouldn’t be caught in rain with was hilarious. Stepping out of that first mud experience woke up my inner kid and I stomped through the mud, squishing  mud through my running shoes.

Heading around the corner and down a ways, I started seeing the groups coming back to finish their fitness challenge completely covered in mud. This must be where the crazy muddy stuff was happening. Unfortunately Ray got blocked off from following us, and I had no way to get back to let him know to find his way over to us. I reached for my phone and realized he had it in his pocket. No iPhones allowed around mud and water, thank you. It felt so weird being cut off!

The obstacles got harder as the course wound around. High walls with narrow foot holds covered in slippery mud from all those crazy Dirty Girls that went before you. The mud crawls were the toughest for me just from a slogging perspective. Pulling your hand from mud while trying to drag your soaked pants and shoes along with you is an experience!

I kept up my personal challenge of the day by lining up for the hardest options at each obstacle. The vertical flat wall that was 6 feet tall was the only place I almost damaged myself. The first run at the wall proved fruitless as I tried to forcefully pull myself up and drag myself over – ouch! Not the smartest choice.

Of course, now it was a real challenge and I followed suit of several women, using a cross brace to step up and boost myself over. I loved how everyone was cheering each other on, offering a boost up, and a well placed shove on a butt to help each other over.

It was official. I was as dirty as I had ever been, at least that I can remember. And there was a more fun to be had! We made our way to the final leg of the course and toward one of my fears – the cargo net climb. I am not comfortable with heights, and the added non-stable surface and slippery factor had me worried.

Stepping on with the encouragement of the girls, I focused on my hand and foot holds, not on the receding ground. Once on, it was all good as we weaved our way up and over the net.

The cargo net climb at Dirty Girl 2012

Only one more big mud pit to go for this crazy fitness challenge! We lined up and waited for it to be clear, hoping Ray could get some great shots of the last splashing obstacle.

Final Mud Pit at Dirty Girl 2012

A few steps in, all I felt was a tug, and looked over to see Cecelia completley in the mud, laughing hysterically while Sherry and I tried hard not to join her, head first.

Dirty Girl 2012 - Muddy fun!

We did it! Passing through the finish line, the layers of drying mud pulled at our skin as we high 5’d and grabbed a cup of water to rinse out the mud before getting a refreshing drink.

Wandering through the after party of food and beer booths we joined the throng of women in line to clean up. I found the shoe pile the Dirty Girl gang recycles for you and added my drenched used-to-be-white running shoes to the pile.

The aftermath - Muddy shoe pile at Dirty Girl 2012

The process of getting clean was almost as entertaining as the event. Women in various stages of dress tried their hardest to keep the muddy stuff away from the clean stuff. If I thought the mud was cold, the shock of freezing fountains of water fed from PVC piping lying on the ground was an awakening. It got the job done well enough so that I was confident in getting back in the car without dragging the mud pit with me.

For those who don’t mind getting a little dirty for a cause – a percentage of Dirty Girl event fees benefit breast cancer research – I highly recommend this as an amazing women power event.

Down and dirty – what’s next for your dream?

At times, the term “getting your hands dirty” can be a literal thing, especially with a fitness challenge. Do you have a dream goal you’ve been avoiding getting down and dirty with?

Share in the comments and I would be happy to cheer you on!

~ Heather

 

Related Stories:

  • danger-menopause-fitness
    Perimenopause Fitness: A New Fitness Challenge
  • Do more of what makes you happy.
    Fitness Dream: Annoy your Friends by Focusing on Getting Fit
  • Famous Screenwriters Divulge Hollywood's Dirty Little Secrets
    Famous Screenwriters Divulge Hollywood's Dirty…
  • Fitness Challenge - Tone Your Arms with Heather
    Fitness Challenge Video: Tone Your Arms
Heather Montgomery
Heather Montgomery

Heather Montgomery is a fitness writer, triathlete, and serial entrepreneur who is devoted to sharing what she has learned about becoming a triathlete after age 40. She uses her Metabolic Training Certification to help other women struggling to get fit in mid-life. She lives and trains in Santa Rosa, California, the new home of the Ironman triathlon. You can find her biking the Sonoma County wine trails.

Note: Articles by Heather may contain affiliate links and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: GET HEALTHY & FIT

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« A South African Dream Birthday Experience
World Travel Dreams: See How Other People Live »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT