Okinawa Living Weekly

Thomas Alan Smilie

Written into our DNA since the dawn of humankind.

Children know it instinctively, without even being taught or guided. Mud. Is. Fun. Playing in the mud is the cleanest filthy fun one can have, and the child inside all of us never forgets this. Whether it’s a repressed longing to charge outside in the rain while yelling joyfully like a maniac and taking a running dive headfirst down a slippery muddy hill, sprinting through an ankle-deep, 50-yard-long mud puddle splashing everyone in the vicinity, or crawling up the slippery slope of a mini-mud-mountain—we all remember the joys of mud deep down inside.

This doronko (Japanese for mud race) will consist of

a 5K or 10K jaunt through jungle trails on Camp Hansen. The event is open to participants island-wide, both SOFA ID card holders and Japanese citizens.

The muddiest and most-fun event of the year will be on Camp Hansen on Sunday, April 24.

For those in the mood for some conquering, there will be competitive 5K and 10K races for individuals with awards given to the first, second and third place finishers in each category. Teams of three can compete in a separate 10K fun run against fellow mud-trios with awards going to the top three.

For those that just want to come out for a leisurely muddy frolic, there will be 5K and 10K fun runs in which the only competition will consist of who takes the most spectacular spill suitable for immediate uploading to social media.

Keep it Fun: Safety Tips | 3 How to Prepare: The Key to Winning | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5 The Kids’ Challenge: Good, Clean Fun | 7

Online registration for the 2016 Camp Hansen World Famous Mud Run will be accepted at mudrun.jp or any manned MCCS fitness center until 4:30 p.m. on April 18. Register by February 29 to be entered to win an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Moon Ocean Ginowan.

The entry fee for both the competitive and non-competitive 5K and 10K runs is $30 per person. The 5K and 10K team race fee is $75 per three-person team. To learn more about the kids’ races, check out page 7.

For more information about the Camp Hansen World Famous Mud Run, contact Semper Fit Athletics. English: adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or 645-3521/3522. Japanese: mudrunokinawa@ gmail.com or 645-3534/3533.

Photo of the Week | 7 Mud Run Must-Haves | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

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keep itfun

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Thomas Alan Smilie

he Camp Hansen World Famous Mud Run is a fun event for all—but as with any physical activity, there are inherent risks for injury, even for the most athletic individuals. Here are a few tips to make your mud run experience as safe and enjoyable as possible: Stretch before and after the race.

While most people typically limber up before races, it can be just as important to stretch afterwards as well.

Don’t skip it. It will help your recovery for the rest of the week.

Drink up. Hydration is especially important in the midst of Okinawa’s humidity. Your body will be losing more fluid than you may realize. Hydrate before, during and after the race.

Don’t jump into the mud pit too vigorously. While the top layer may look like a giant water puddle begging to be splashed, the bottom layer is muck so

Safety Tips

thick that it may claim a shoe. If you jump in with too much force, you might find yourself stuck ankle-deep in what feels like drying cement.

Don’t eat the mud. As difficult as it may be to resist, try to avoid getting mud on your face or into your mouth, nose, ears or eyes. Though the risk is low, enough mud entering your system (in whatever manner you let it) can cause illness.

To lessen this risk, the Department of Preventative Medicine at the USNH tests the water before the race to ensure it is at safe levels. The Semper Fit staff also chlorinates the mud-water to the same standard as pool water. If you would like to learn more safety tips, contact the Department of Preventative Medicine or your healthcare provider.

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Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads.

No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.

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howtoprepare

phrase of the week

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Doro-darake

Covered in mud.

Thomas Alan Smilie

For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs–Resources at 645-2104/2106.

The Key to Winning

o you’ve decided to do the mud run but is your body ready?

Whether you do the competitive races or the fun run, both present physical challenges. It’s true that the mud run is an event for people of all skill levels for the whole family, but if you want to rule the battleground of brown, training is optimal.

The Camp Hansen World Famous Mud Run will take you through Okinawa’s dense and sludgy jungle.

Some cardiovascular fitness will go a long way. If you want to improve your running game in the meantime, the best way to do it is to run more.

Cross-training cardio work such as biking, swimming or rowing is also beneficial to incorporate into your running programming as it is a lowimpact way to increase your cardio and muscular endurance levels.

Many participants of endurance sports, like the mud run, make the mistake of neglecting strength training. Conditioning your fast-twitch

muscles through resistance training is just as important as working your slow-twitch muscle fibers during endurance exercise. To ensure the best, injury-free performance from your body, include some weight training to balance out your muscular fitness.

Finally, nutrition is the most important part of any sport. If you don’t provide your body with the proper

fuel, it will not function to its full capacity. For an endurance event like the mud run, remember you will probably be fine without a full-on carb load, but a well-balanced breakfast of carbohydrates, fats and protein will take you a long way.

As always, check MCCS Health Promotion’s offerings for FREE fitness assessments, classes and more.

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MUD

thekids'challenge

fact

Good, Clean Fun

W It’s science: exposure to mycobacterium vaccae—a bacteria that lives in mud—is believed to be an antidepressant and may help strengthen the immune system. However if you are feeling down, rolling in mud should not be your first mode of treatment.

hile the adults are getting down and dirty, the kids (5–8) will compete like kids—with good, clean fun on the 1K Kids' Challenge. Their challenge will be running through an H2O-filled obstacle course with no mud because, contrary to popular belief, consumption of mudpies is not good for growing boys or girls. The kids will jump, climb, duck and run through

obstacles like a wall climb, cargo nets, hurdles and beams—all handcrafted by the MCCS Facilities Management Branch. Kids will also face inflatable obstacle challenges. This course features grass terrain with no pavement or rocks.

The 1K Kids' Challenge is open to kids 5–8 and will have a morning session (8:30–11 a.m.) and an afternoon session (12:30 a.m.–2:30

p.m.) on April 24. Children 9–14 can run through the muddy trails of the 3K Kids' Fun Run. Teens 13–14 can also compete in the competitive or noncompetitive 5K runs. The 1K, 3K and 5K are $10 per child. Register your speedy racer throughout February for a chance to win a hotel stay for two at Moon Ocean Ginowan. All races are open to kids island-wide.

Thomas Alan Smilie

photo the

Each person runs the race differently—as seen in the photo above. But the end result is the same: we cross the finish line covered in mud, sweat and tears of joy…or relief.

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Clockwise from the top left: Photo courtesy of Moon Ocean Ginowan, Thomas Alan Smilie

Register by February 29 to be entered to win an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Moon Ocean Ginowan.

Mud Run Must-Haves

efore you set out for the mud run, make sure you have everything you need. Here’s a list of a few essentials: The Right Shoes: Having the right shoe for the job is most important— meaning they should fit well, have strong tread and a breathable upper that will drain water/mud quickly.

Some companies such as Inov-8 and Merrill have several models of mud run shoes on the market. On a similar note, it is ill-advised to duct-tape your shoes as it leaves a slick surface on the sole which can lead to slipping.

The Right Outfit: Besides the right kicks, avoid cotton tops, bottoms and socks. Cotton will do nothing but absorb all the mud you touch and weigh you down. Same goes for pockets. Instead, aim for something light, like a running top, compression gear or bare skin.

The Right Extras: Bring lots of towels and a gallon or two of water

to rinse off afterward. Baby wipes are great for a final run-through to get all the grime off, and Q-tips are handy for globs of mud that get stuck in your ears and nose. A fresh set of clothes and some bags to separate your muddy clothes from your clean and dry existence will be most helpful.

The Right Buddy: It’s not as much fun to run alone; you may need help with some obstacles and, in case of injury, you’ll have some backup. Find someone with likeminded preparation and priorities about the race—hilarious costumes, a competitive time or just to get as down and dirty as possible!

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adventure begins here Expo Park Orchid Show & Churaumi Aquarium* February 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Adults $37, Children (16–17) $32, (12–15) $26, (6–11) $22, (under 6) FREE Stroll through the largest orchid show in Japan, see a dolphin show, visit an Okinawan village or relax on Emerald Beach. Aquarium entry fee included.

Battle Sites Tour* February 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Adults $28, Children (3–11) $18, (under 3) FREE Visit the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Prayer Park.

Food & Flower Festival* February 7, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13, (under 3) FREE Adventure through the food and flowers produced locally at the annual Okinawa Farmers’ Market Exhibition.

Nakijin Cherry Blossom Moonlight Festival* February 7, 3–9 p.m.

Adults $23, Children (6–12) $15, (3–5) $12, (under 3) FREE Under the radiance of moonlight, celebrate the sakura (cherry blossoms). Enjoy family fun with festival food, cultural dances, a parade and more beneath the clouds of freshly bloomed cherry blossoms.

*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744

events

get out and explore Chatan Town Industrial Festival February 6–7, 10 a.m–7 p.m.

Chatan Baseball Field, Chatan Town FREE

Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports

Athletics/Adult Sports

Top to bottom: joloei/bigstock.com, Aya Chilcote

645-3521/3522

Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534

Okinawa International Orchid Show February 6–7, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Ocean Expo Park Tropical Dream Center, Motobu Village Adults ¥670, Children (6–15) ¥340

Okinawan Flowers Festival February 6–7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Okinawa Prefectural Budokan FREE

upcoming events Open Basketball Tournament February 12–14 Schwab Power Dome Gym Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on February 8 for $95. This event is open to participants island-wide. Tournament brackets and rules will be emailed to each participant. Details: 625-2654.

Open Softball Tournament February 12–14 Camp Kinser BK Softball Field & Softball Field #4 Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on February 8 for $100. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third-place teams. Tournament brackets and rules will be emailed to each participant. Details: 637-1869.

of week Cycle Get your heart pumping with a 60-minute indoor cycling ride featuring an endurance, strength, or interval workout.

All Camps

For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.