Mud N' Bud

Destination: Mud N’ Bud (formally named Muddy Buddy)
Location: North Vancouver
Date Sept 21, 2008
Cost: $90 per Team
Duration: Around 10km (less than hour to complete)
Rating: 8/10
Extreme Factor: Low
TAJ member participant: Paul M & Blair C

What is Mud & Bud?

Mud & Bud is a short distance (around 10km) adventure race where teams of two, start at the same time, one running and one biking. Once you reach a transition zone the runner jumps on the bike and biker begins running. Sound confusing?

I forgot to add that each transition zone has an obstacle you have endure in order to continue. There are five obstacles that you have to complete. They range from balance beams to hula-hooping to the grand finale of crawling through a massive mud pit. The pit is a treat waiting for you at the finish line

The course is a mixture of double track and single track with beginner and intermediate technical sections. The mountain biking is very doable, despite a few steep up-hill sections. We rode the race with a full suspension mountain bike. I think a hardtail would be better. Most people finish the race in less than an hour.


How do you train for Mud & Bud?

As it was second time entering the race, our training regime was a little more efficient than our previous year. On top of our usual training schedules, we added a one hour session where we would switch back and forth from treadmill to spin bike. The tensions and inclines were adjusted to match the course. These sessions were high speed with a high heart rate. Despite lacking a mud pit obstacle in the gym, the training simulated the event quite well.

What is the event like?

As it is a short race, the start is fast. Furthermore, the first 3 transitions are all up hill, it is a brutal start. However, once you get to the third obstacle your body gets into a groove and you start to enjoy the course and its challenges. The transitions are confusing, chaotic, and sometimes messy. This adds to the fun of the event. At several places you end up crossing paths with your partner, most people high five and cheer each other along. However, if your partner is also your trainer/cousin, you might experience charming motivational words like, “suck it up and run”, “you are slowing down” or “move those legs”.

My race:

When Blair and I entered Mud & Bud, we challenged a couple of friends (Richard & Stephen). What started off as a good natured challenge became very intense and included a barrage of email trash talk. It became apparent that we had to beat them. As you can imagine, both teams had a lot of motivation.

Once we arrived at Mud & Bud, we decided that I would start as a runner and Blair would bike. The first transition zone is 1.4 km uphill. The race start is staggered by 30 seconds.

Once the countdown finished, the bikers raced up the hill. I could see Blair was one of the leaders of the group with Richard right behind him. I felt obligated to match his speed. The count down ended and I began sprinting. I was keeping pace with the top group and was feeling pretty good. Once we approached the first transition zone, I looked back and Stephen was right on my tail. We did the first obstacle (a series of ladders). I jumped on the bike, which Blair left for me and charged to the trail. At least I thought it was a charge, Stephen flew past me. I was struggling to get a groove. A couple other bikers went past me as well. I dropped back to 6th place. My heart rate was climbing and I couldn’t turn those pedals fast enough. I arrived at the second transition zone. Blair was waiting for me and, Richard was already biking. It was obvious, I was holding up the team. Blair yelled some motivational words to get me going. I cannot remember exactly what they were, but it was something along the lines of “suck it up and move! They are beating us”. I dropped the bike and ran through the tires and started running.

Mountain biking has never been my strength, but I love trail running. I passed a couple racers during the run. Back to 4th place. I could see Stephen, he was only a couple corners ahead of me. I picked up the pace and started to track him down. I kept the pace up and he was less than 15 meters away until we hit the next obstacle. The obstacle was a choice, 10 hula-hoops or spin around a bat 5 times. I choose the bat.

After feeling quite dizzy, I tried to jump on the bike and head downhill, but I was too dizzy. I decided to run with the bike for the first couple corners until I got my balance. Once the spins were gone, I hopped on the bike and started ascending as quickly as I could. Stephen accelerated his pace. He continued to stay a couple corners ahead of me. Once we hit the uphill sections his bike speed increased, he was starting to pull away from me again. He finished the obstacle and started running when I arrived. I noticed that Richard’s bike was there and there wasn’t any sign of Blair. I wasn’t sure who was ahead between the two of them.
The next run section is the most difficult part of the race. There is a nasty steep hill climb, followed by a technical downhill run. Furthermore, there is a logjam of racers. This section tends to clog up. I could see Stephen was ahead, I began sprinting up the hill. I needed to track him. I thought of all trash talk I would hear if I lost. Once I reached the summit of the climb, I was no closer to catching him. I started the descent. It was the fastest I have ever run a trail. I kept myself low and really concentrated on my balance. Stephen matched my speed and stayed a corner ahead of me. We reached the final obstacle a 12’ long balance beam that was three feet off of the ground. Stephen was already on the bike when I got there. I didn’t see Richard, I assumed that he had already began to run. I went across the beam and all I had left was an easy downhill to the finish line. You have to cross the finish line as a team, so the finish is really determined by the runner. While coasting downhill, I caught up to Blair, he asked if I passed Richard. I didn’t see him. That meant he must be ahead. Blair increased his pace and sprinted. Stephen was at the finish line, but there was no sign of Richard. Relieved, Blair and I swan dove through the mud and finished third. As it turned out, I passed Richard at the last obstacle, but I was so focused on the balance beam I didn’t see him. The race was close, and both teams were proud of their times. I look forward to racing it next year. Maybe this time, I won’t let Stephen get ahead. The trash talk has already started!