Mudderella
Why do women not compete in sports that men are predominant in? Well, here is why! This Blog is a 7- to 10-minute read.
Designed for women, by women, Cristina DeVito, Mudderella’s CEO, says the race—an off-shoot of Tough Mudder—is all about promoting the company’s “Own Your Strong” motto: “We wanted to create something that really reminded women, ‘You are strong. You are stronger than you think you are. You deserve this great experience that is for you,'” she says. “It’s about that empowerment, strength, fun, do-this-with-your-girlfriends message.”
Five to seven miles long with 12 to 15 obstacles, Mudderella’s races are all built with women and women’s bodies in mind. “When we created a lot of the obstacles we thought about some of the ways women work out,” DeVito explains. “Some do yoga, running, cycling, etc. We try to take some of those movements and incorporate them into our events.” The result: “Dirty Downward Dog,” a challenge that gets participants to assume the yoga-friendly plank or downward dog positions to move across a muddy trench. Another, “Wheels in Motion,” involves a series of swinging tires that requires total core engagement. Each obstacle is designed to test an individual’s strength, balance, agility, and overall body fitness, but DeVito stresses that it’s a race any woman can do, because it’s also about the group. “The obstacles are team-based so you do them with your partner, you do them with your team, but they’re also meant to be fun,” she says. “We look at this as something that you can aspire to do…without having to completely alter your life and fitness routine to do it.”
And that’s another detail that sets Mudderella apart: Although the race tests a participant’s physical abilities, the focus is on finishing, not finishing first. “I think what’s important is that success at a Mudderella event is what you make of it. It is a challenge that we provide to you. For some folks, success may be running in your own time and doing every obstacle. For some, success is: ‘I’m going to walk this thing and make it through the five to seven miles it would take me and I won’t do every obstacle, but that’s fine.'”
DeVito explains that the idea of a goal is what appeals to many who sign up for Mudderella. Some participants—who range from 18 to 60 years old—are already fit and looking for a new challenge; some want to get fit and use the race as motivation. Others are overcoming personal challenges—survivors of accidents, domestic abuse, or diseases—who are looking for a way to celebrate themselves and their strength.
Mudderella is growing fast. Partnering with Futures Without Violence, a non-profit that works to prevent domestic violence, and sponsors like Athleta, an apparel company whose ethos is all about powerful, strong women, and Strongbow, the hard cider company that provides a cold bottle of the stuff for every woman to celebrate with when she crosses the finish line, Mudderella is again promoting its message of confidence, strength, and fun.
“Be strong because you don’t know who you’re going to inspire,” DeVito says. “We want to communicate that to our participants.” We’re stronger than we think we are.
Some of the Obstacles:
The Slider
Skinny Jeans
Tough Tatas
Unfortunately, I can’t locate this obstacle.
New Heights
I Got Your Back
Hay Girl Hay
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Ground Hog Day
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Dirty Downward Dog
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Balancing Act
Wheels in Motion
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Break The Glass Ceiling
Hat Trick
Down the Wire
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Ain’t No Mountain High
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Whistler
Charlies Angels
Safety and Injury
Today, obstacle courses have been integrated into racing formats, and the physical and mental demands placed upon participants can be significant . Rabb and Coleby, reported that medical personnel at OCR events should anticipate up to a 5% injury rate, with 4.5% requiring emergency department treatment. Such injuries occur due to environmental (e.g., weather, type of obstacle, apparel malfunctions) and physical conditions (e.g., hydration, mental/physical fatigue).
Common Injuries and Safety in Endurance Sports:
Please visit this site for a comprehensive list of Injuries:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024529/
https://physioworks.com.au/sports-physio/running-injuries/
https://physioworks.com.au/?s=triathlon
Here is some very interesting reading:
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=student_scholarship
https://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/best-mud-runs/
Equipment
You will be able to find all the necessary equipment at your local sports store:
Follow this site for all your specific OCR equipment needs:
https://ocrworldchampionships.com/category/equipment-gear/
Please note: I do not take any responsibility for accident, disability, death, public liability, third party, medical costs, destruction of property, damages to self or others, destruction of all equipment, disability, personal lability, general liability, self-harm, suicide, harm to live stock, harm to animals, harm to children and intentional bodily harm, for using any of the listed products and suppliers. Please consult with the manufacturers and instructors, when buying the equipment that is suitable for you.
If you think you have what it takes to compete in this sport and for the love of the game, consult with your clubs and governing bodies. They will provide all the answers you need to get started.
When you are ready to take on this hectic sport, Please take a moment and bow for people that are disabled, that cannot take part in such sports.
When you are ready to take on this hectic sport, Please take a moment and bow for people that are disabled, that cannot take part in such sports.
My views, comments and content are strictly are of my own opinion and researching and are not governed or influenced by any marketing of companies or brands. It is of my own free will to mention equipment suppliers.
