Experience Run, 15. 6. 2024

According to the description of the organizers from Dirty dog ​​challenge, this was supposed to be an “easy off-road race with simple obstacles” and judging by previous years almost without mud. But that is over, now we have new tomorrows. The day before the race, we found out that the race was taking place elsewhere than usual and we immediately began to suspect betrayal. We went alone, just Erik and I. Natálka is at a school trip, so we planned to go only in a small car, this time we will not drive in a campervan, it is not necessary for just 2 people and two dogs. We can easily fit two dogs in our shopping bag. There won’t be any mud, so we’ll take a bath at home, it will be fine. SMS from a friend the night before the race. “Do you have a dog I could borrow to run?” Of course, we have. Daimee will be happy to run. Well, even three dogs can somehow fit into a mini car. So let’s fold the seats. Alarm clock goes off at 3:30 a.m.. Coffee machine just in service. OMG! None of us wanted to get out of bed and the thought of racing in the rain today didn’t make us very happy, too. Who the hell came up with that? If we hadn’t promised to lend Diamond, maybe I’d press the alarm clock and keep sleeping… The car journey is a disaster. With the seats folded down, the dogs stroll around the entire car space and keep sniffing at our necks. It will be even better on the way back, at least now they are dry and clean. After arrival, registration, change clothes, jump 3 times on the Toi-Toi (another immeasurable advantage of a motor home – own toilet, what I would give for it now…), stretch and it’s off to the start. We run down the hill and the dogs drag us behind us at a pace of 3:29/km, I love starts up the hill. Fortunately, the mud slows them down after a few meters. I knew he would be here and there would be a lot of it. Then about another 48 mud sections during this year’s Experience run. Yes, it was an experience, for sure. We made our way to the finish line in the rough terrain and were thankful that it was over. Now the better part. Get rid of mud in a place where there are no showers, running water or our motor home. We ran frozen to a pond about 500 m away, but all efforts to get rid of the mud proved futile. With each step further into the water, we sank deeper into the extremely gooey mud below the surface. When we washed in the deep water, we caught everything back on the way out. Result? Just more frostbite. The mud practically unchanged on us and I’m not even talking about the dogs. I’ll probably have to shave them off at home with a straight razor. We scrubbed ourselves a little, at least in the towel. I wouldn’t wish the trip home with 3 muddy dogs in the small car to my worst enemy. On the way, we stopped for good coffee in McDonald’s as a reward. We just didn’t understand why everyone was staring at us so strangely. Then we got it, the remains of mud were everywhere and the start number written all over the face in black paint. But the experience doesn’t always have to be positive, the main thing is that it’s strong. At home, after bathing and thawing out, of course we had to admit that it was very nice, we enjoyed it and at least we have something to remember.