My Mud Attire

Ok so this is what I wore to my Tough Mudder.

 

This was right after the 1st obstacle, which happened to be Arctic Enema.  I kid you not, it was cold, and I was glad to be out of it, hence the face.

As you can see I’m wearing my uv sleeves, which I’m so glad I wore.  No bruises, or scratches up my arms. And gloves, they were bike gloves, so they got a bit swollen, but they worked.

Mud Attire

One thing I found a lack of in my research was what to wear on event day.

Sure I asked people their opinion, but take advice from someone that has actually done an event.

What to Wear

• You need to keep in mind that you are going to get covered in mud.  So you are going to want to wear something that you don’t care is going to get (possibly) ruined.
• If it’s not Dri Fit don’t wear it.  There is nothing worse than wearing something that makes you feel heavier than you actually are. The the advantage of dry fit is that well it dry’s really quickly.  The only time you are going to get dry, is while running.
  

  Dri Fit Top

  And if you are worried about ruining your ‘brand’ dri fit stuff. Just buy cheap stuff from Kmart or BigW.  My dri fit top was from Kmart and cost me no more than $10.

• Ladies, I recommend wearing at least 3/4 length  or full leggings.  You’re knees will thank you. Make sure the pants you were have a zip pocket that you can put your hydration gels in too.
  

  3/4 or full length Dri Fit Leggings

  The only Leggings I had where ‘Brand’ ones and I was not going to ruin my $60 nike compression/dri fit leggings for one event.  So I went out and bought $15 dry fit ones from BigW.  Worked a treat.

• Guys, if you are going to wear shorts, make sure they have a draw string.  I saw one guy on the course loosing his shorts cause they just got so heavy with mud.
• Sunscreen.  Yes the mud will act as a barrier, but  I forgot sunscreen and I got burnt on my face.
  

  SunScreen

• Lip Balm.  My lips got sunburnt and I’m still paying for it.
• Sleeves.  I wore uv sleeves.  I found that these protected my arms from cuts and abrasions.
  

  Arm Sleeves

  I bought my sleeves from ebay last year.  I just got the ones from China, I think they set me back approx $20 at the time, but I don’t remember.  They not only kept me cool, but warm, and protected my arms from splinters, cuts & abrasions.

• Old runners.  Then donate them at the end of the race.
• Same with Socks. Ones that you will never see again.
• Vibrams 5 fingers (optional).  If I were to do the course again, I’d do it in Vibrams.  The mud really weights you down, and you do loose your grip, at least with the Vibrams, they remain light weight and you have the use of your toes.
  

  Vibrams 5 Fingers – Classic

• Skins.  This is also optional, it’s possible they will get ruined, but they will protect your skin, and give you a quicker recovery time.
• Gloves.  The weight lifting kind.  I found they gave me grip and protected me against splinters.  They are also optional, but if I were to do it again, I’d still wear them.
  

  Gloves

What not to Wear

• Hat.  It will get in your way, and you will most likely loose it.
• Hydration pack.  There will be water stations. That and it will just weight you down.  Also the straw section will get dirty and muddy, and who wants to be drinking the mud.
• A costume.  Sure if fun, but you will just get weighed down.
  

  Cow Mudder

   

So that’s what I learnt from my tough mudder event, and I hope it helps you when you do yours. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sew I have to

I love to sew.  I have since I was a teen.  I have my mum to thank for that.  She use to always make me and my sister dresses and skirts growing up.  And I loved it.  I love having dresses that were different to what everyone else had.  My daughter also loves it when I make her a new dress or a skirt.  She is such a girly girl.  Always wants to look pretty.

So every year starting around spring time, I get back into my sewing.  I only sew during, spring, summer, and part of autumn.  It get’s too cold otherwise, hence why i don’t sew in the 2nd half of autumn or winter.

Well 2 summers ago I made this dress.

Dress A (in yellow/gold ).

I loved this dress.  Well I didn’t get the chance to wear it last summer, as a big part of it I was travelling.
Well a few days ago I took it out and tried it on.  And well it was just so ill fitting! In the sense it was just way too big.  The bust was just gaping, the straps, were falling down, and in general it looked like a tent.
So I had a few choices.
1. Get rid of it /donate it to the op shop
2. Alter it so it does fit.
3. Redesign it.
I chose to go with 3. Redesign it.  Yes I could have chosen 2, but this dress, well the bodice part of the dress was quite tricky, and really in my opinion would be way too finicky to alter.  That and the fact that the pattern I have is sizes 14 to 22.  So I would really be winging it in some parts to get the sizing right.
So I just cut off the bodice part, made a waste band and inserted some elastic. It is now a skirt.  I will have to take a photo of it with me wearing it, so you can see it. But in the time being you’ll just have to use your imagination.

There was another dress in my wardrobe that I tried on as well.

Please excuse the large image it’s direct from the website.

The dress I made was 2nd from the left on the top. (The lady with her hands on her head). When I made the dress I had to modify it.  As well I was a size 13 at the time.  Yes 13, not 14, not quite 12, flipping 13! So I modified it and it fitted great.
Well when I tired on the other dress I tired this one one too, and it was also a tent.  😦 It’s such a pretty dress too.  I love the fabric I chose.  But alas, I can not wear it this season for summer cause well it’s not flattering at all. So I have 2 choices, I can alter it to fit (again), or do the skirt option.  I haven’t decided what to do yet.  I’m still unpicking the zip you see.  Once I finishing unpicking I might decided what I want to do.  I have some of this fabric left over, so I might see if I am able to redesign it.  Cause I don’t have a blue dress in my wardrobe, and I would like to have one.

I will keep you posted on that too.

So of I go to Sew.

Ps. yes I like to play on words 🙂