Overview:
Be advised, the “Ultimate Challenge” is just that...the ULTIMATE
challenge. This course will challenge “YOUR” limits. You can walk the course
at a comfortable pace… or you can run it, constantly chasing your second
wind. This course is not impossible. It is designed as a team oriented
course, but it can be done individually. As an individual runner, you will
need to train and train hard to trophy. Upper body strength combined with
lower body endurance will get you through Volkslauf on your own.
Training:
Gung Ho! is defined as a motto; “Working Together”. The Marines adopted
the term while serving in China during the Boxer Rebellion at the beginning
of the 20th Century and was widely used by U.S. Marine Raiders during WWII.
As a team, you will need to train as a team. Feed off your team mate’s
weaknesses and build. This is what the Marines do and capitalize on. This is
what the Marine Corps is all about… Teamwork! Train as fast as your slowest
team mate. “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast” This is what you should keep in
mind when running as a team. Remember that when you train, you should
stretch, hydrate and run. Your upper body strength needs to consist of being
able to pull yourself up and over obstacles. The rest is simply endurance
running and, of course, playing in the 5 million+ gallons of mud and water!
There are over 60 obstacles on this course. Other than the walls (4 each),
there are only three other obstacles that require you to pull yourself up
and over an obstacle greater than your height. Everything else is mud/dirt
and water-related.
Pacing yourself is the key. In regards to running as a team, a ten minute
mile pace will put you in contention for a trophy! The Marines call a ten
minute mile pace the Marine Corps Shuffle. In regards to individual
competitors, an eight minute mile is what you’re looking at! Last year’s
fastest time for an individual was 47 minutes. Since then, we’ve added 12
new obstacles to slow that time down to include three new obstacle areas!
Rules of the course:
As you may have noticed, we’re in the west; but not the wild, wild,
west! Some rules do apply while on the course. There are Marines and
Referees strategically placed throughout the race route. They are there to
motivate you, assist you in the event of an emergency, provide communication
as directed and keep the program honest. The referees report to the race
director and he has final say in all matters pertaining to the conduct of
the race. As in any other sporting event, if you are found cheating, the
referee will call you out to either correct your dysfunction/error or simply
disqualify you depending on the nature of the offense. He/She will radio
your race number to the race director for further action if necessary. This
doesn’t usually happen, but it can and swift action will be taken to keep it
fun for everyone else.
All paths on the course go “through” the obstacles, not around. Running
around an obstacle can/will be grounds for disqualification. In the event
you are just here for fun, as many are (roughly 75% are)… you may go around
an obstacle that is beyond your capability. The Referee at that area will
grant you “amnesty” from having to properly execute that obstacle, if
needed.
Please remember this is the Toys for Tots kick off. “The Ultimate Challenge”
doesn’t mean you need to pull off the ultimate stunt. Respect the course; it
can hurt you. Remember these simple rules of the course (but not limited
too):
-
No diving into mud holes (no mud hole is over 4 feet deep). Diving will cause you to be a safety violator and be escorted off the course for your safety and the safety of other runners.
-
Ease into obstacles, broken ankles have happened due to mis- judgment of depth of water/mud… in this case, “lack of judgment”
-
Be aware of your footing. Your shoes are muddy with less traction.
-
Be respectful and courteous. Just because you helped someone over that 8’ wall…doesn’t mean someone will help you! Keep your composure and tongue in check.
-
Be patient when getting through a bottleneck; they do happen.
In the event you cannot get wet for some reason, or have a
special need (bandage, stitches, apparatus, etc.), running alongside water
obstacles is allowed as well as negotiation of the “dry” obstacles. We
absolutely invite athletes of all ability levels to participate in Volkslauf
and recognize some may possess special needs. While many of our obstacles
will present significant challenges to athletes with special needs, we
encourage them to “give it a shot” anyway. Volkslauf is all about teamwork
and the Race Committee will do whatever it takes to assist.
Race attire:
Let common sense be your guide. If that doesn’t work… check this out. Many
myths are out there on what to wear and not wear. 100% Cotton that is loose
fitting is bad. Anything that retains water will soak up the mud and water
and weigh you down, not to mention chaff you. Sweat Pants are extremely bad…
running shorts/biker shorts are extremely good. Spandex is best. Knee high
socks… bad, hello ankle weights!
Now let me gab a moment about running shoes. Exactly that… Running shoes!
Not cross trainers, Converse sneakers or basketball shoes. Running shoes
that “breathe” are what you want (leather is bad). You DON’T need to duct
tape your shoes onto your feet, but you may if you want to look like the
serious adventure runner! Simply double-knot your laces and “TUCK” them in.
If you duct tape your shoes, people have the tendency to tape too hard and
cut off the circulation, or limit the range of motion in your foot, causing
injury. By taping, you loose 50% or more of the traction on the bottom of
your shoes as well… 345 yards into the race is the first mud hole! You do
the math. From the first obstacle on, it’s mud, dirt, mud after mud for 2
miles… then it’s a 3 mile stroll. History shows that most runners pull off
the tape on the back side of the run.
Train like you run: check it out yourself. Get into what you want to
wear on race day, go down to one of the Kern Parks on the River, dressed in
your favorite football team sweats, tape up and run across/up and down the
river. Feel the weight of the water in your clothes, the weight of the
shoes, the traction of your shoes taped… the flexibility of your feet when
taped. Then wear spandex or nylon shorts try your shoes double-knotted and
socks tucked. Huge difference! You don’t see Marines running up the river
with duct tape on their feet do you? (Usually, we’re wearing our Boots and
Utes).
Gloves are nice to have but not a necessity. If you must have gloves,
a workout type is best. Fingerless, light weight, non-absorbing is what you
want. I have found more gloves out on the course (STILL) than shoes/socks.
Participants usually just shake them off mid course because they don’t do
this….Train with them to see if they like them!
Team shirts: they add to the spirit of the event. If you’re on a
team, make up your own team name and a shirt to show the pride of your team!
I’ve seen some great shirts and it makes the event all the more fun. Doesn’t
have to be anything fancy…just communicates the esprit de corps of your
team.
Jewelry: Let’s keep it real. If you loose a stud, it’s gone! Your
watch will get scratched in the mud. Necklaces should be left at home or
with a friend if you must. Rings come off in the mud/water. Besides,
necklaces and rings pose a safety hazard for you. If your ring gets hung up
on a nail on an obstacle (and there are plenty), your ring stays on the nail
and so does your finger. Spare yourself the drama and don’t be the victim of
losing something that is as precious as a keepsake (or a finger). It’s a mud
run. You WILL get muddy. You’ll keep your sun glasses dry until you hit
“Viper” where you will get 100% wet (hint).
Post race: In the event you want to get cleaned up, don’t forget a
quick change of clothes (cotton sweats are OK here!). The post race
festivities are meant to be fun. You don’t have to remain muddy and wet. LOL
Rules of the Road:
Keep it FUN
Keep it FAMILY ORIENTED
Keep it SAFE
