Elisabeth and George after a morning of running in the mud.
There are special events set up for people to run in the mud.
This I know because my wonderful daughter Elisabeth and her fantastic boyfriend George participate in these races.
Last year it was the Warrior Run. Elisabeth jumped a pit of hot coals. Or maybe it was a pit of quicksand.
Anyway, my daughter, who turns 24 this week, the child of a man who writes stories about how he’s prefered walking over running
his whole life, is racing around the countryside.
Yesterday it was a get-together in Deansboro, N.Y., on the grounds of MKJ Farms. The title of the 5K run was the Daniel Barden Highland Mudfest. It was the first year of the race, described online as a mud-filled course that “climbs and falls over the hills of Deansboro.”
Elisabeth sent me texts that said yes, she fell. A lot. Bruised her arm on one of the falls. She thinks she hit a rock. And she was typing all of this out and sending me this picture in good humor about the whole deal.
And I quote a text message:
“It was ok. Very tough. But it wasn’t cold until the end when we stopped moving and were all wet. I wiped out so many times lol.”
And another: “George said the phrase he heard the most today was ‘Beth are you ok’ Lol”
She says she is.
Further, and on a new texting subject entirely, she and George also have their tickets for the Train show in August.
Yes, the one that I stood in line to buy tickets for yesterday morning without it even entering my mind that Elisabeth and George, these two twentysomethings, would want to see Train and the Wallflowers. I definitely consider it more my rock music.
After the race conversation, she texted — it is our primary form of communication, so I’m pretty good with her technology — that she’d read my blog story and stated how I could have gotten two for them.
I am a rotten father, I thought.
She was not angry. George wanted to get the tickets for her birthday present. He went online after they returned home from the race and scored a pair.
Without asking where my dear wife Karen and I would be sitting, they got two tickets in the very same section, very same row, 14 seats away from us.
Score! He didn’t wait in line in the cold for two hours. Hey! But he did run in the cold mud. Ha!
We’ve already talked about meeting earlier that day to enjoy the fair.
I hope it’s clear and sunny, with no mud in sight.
Have you run in the mud? Would you? Have you ever bought tickets for a show or game and then discovered a loved one would have wanted some, too?
Mark Bialczak 
Yesterday my priest said she was going on a 500-mile bike race from Lansing to Mackinac. I cringed at the thought.
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That is long bike race, even with God on your side, Cat.
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Not a fan of the mud races. The thought of ruining running equipment, shoes especially never really entices me. It’s true, one can wear old items, but they can only be washed so many times before it gets tiring.
I went to a Stone Temple Pilots show with my brother and his girlfriend one year. It was uncertain that she was going, so the offer was never made to my ex, who seemed less excited to see the band to begin with. However, my bro’s gal ended up going; my mouth was shut. However, due to Facebook posting, my ex found out, and boy was she angry. Thinking I did this on purpose, she held it over my head… probably still doing so today.
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Hard feelings can linger and linger and linger like a Cranberries song, Chris.
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I have not run in the mud by choice, but yes, more times than I can count I have run in mud chasing those cursed beasts that are turned into the steaks so highly praise and loved by people who have no idea what a pain in the nether regions they really are. The dumbest beasts in the pasture. Just plain stupid. Not worth the trouble it takes to cut into one. I will, however eat hamburger, since I can visualize turning the beast into hamburger with a well aimed round from a shotgun. Sorry, the thought of running in mud does something to me. The final time it gave me pneumonia.
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Holy cow, Angie!
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Nothing holy about them Mark. Spawn of the devil. Now, enjoy your next steak with the mind picture of a muddy angel chasing cows.
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We ran cross country at school – didn’t mind it at all, loads better than hurdling, badminton (I was rubbish) and a whole host of other sports. Plus the teachers were nowhere to be seen so no yelling on their part – it was all part of growing up in the country at a school surrounded by fields. I think I jogged along looking at the trees and the view. Wouldn’t be able to run far in the mud now.
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It sounds like cross country was the perfect school sport for your peace of mind, Rachel. You have a great memory of it. Your appreciation for scenery shows to this day still with all of the great photos for your blog!
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Oh, and since I am on a tight budget, as in yesterday, I ate at my son’s and daughter in law’s house for the 2nd time, for a ‘real, hot, home-cooked meal’ they would have to be the ones buying ME the ticket! Kids can take care of themselves, sorry but my Dad was a big believer of this point…
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Yeah, but her birthday is this week, Robin …
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Good reason to buy! I just thought to put my two cents in. I do give my kids money and a card, but think this would have been a great gift. Now, you will get her something else, still getting to be in the same section and row! What are the odds? Smiles, Robin
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I know, being in the same row was a pretty good coincidence, Robin! I still haven’t decided on what the gift will be.
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I would run for a good cause, have done half 5K’s whatever amount of miles that is? Anyway, the mud would not deter me, if I knew ahead to wear good ‘slogging’ boots! I might slow down though, but not like Beth, no crawling in cold, gooey mud for me! Smiles, Robin
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I am impressed that you own good slogging boots, Robin! I have a pair of those, too, and I keep them in the shed.
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Please, no mud for me.
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I know, right?! In your California it can get to be a problem when the draught turns to too much rain.
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No mud for me … running on dry pavement is hard enough!
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Just look at these young ‘uns, Jim, all muddy and proud. And, as you know, I don’t even attempt the dry pavement.
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I’ve run in the mud!!!! And enjoyed it!!!!! Rotten fathers are only rotten fathers when the purposefully neglect their child. You did not neglect your child. You were just ignorant of their desire. 😉 I’ve got your back Mark!!!
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Thank you my mud-encrusted friend!
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i think i would do it in a second, if i didn’t have to run, if i could walk and crawl and skip and gallop i would have a blast. i think that this story shows that you as a group are meant to be together. that’s the universe talking.
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You have a unique approach to the mud run, Beth. Very awesome. Those modes would get you around the course with a smile on your face, I can tell. Yes, the universe wanted the four of us to be together for the Train day!
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well, i would probably be banned for life if i used my technique )
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I’ve heard of this too and don’t understand it. But your daughter sounds fearless and playful. I love it! Serendipity at play with those tickets! It’s the good karma from returning that ring.
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Yes, Sandra! The universe punched our Train tickets!
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I’m gonna try my hand at devil horns here: \\m//
Rock on my friend!
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Fantastic qwerty devil horns, my friend!
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Thanks buddy! Not a Punk Rocker showed me that bit of fun.
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You’re not a bad father. There’s no telling what music young people like. Glad she was a good sport about the falls and bruises. I would have been crying through muddy tears.
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OK, I’ve got the feeling down to a little guilty. Thanks, Kerbey!
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