Since 2012 was my first year as a "runner," I tried all sorts of runs to see what kind I would like best.
A friend pointed out the Groupon for an event called the Grand Rapids Mud Run. It was a smaller event, organized by a local company, and held in my hometown of Kentwood.
The price was only about $20 (I can't remember what I ate yesterday, much less how much I paid for a race that long ago!) and it seemed like it would be a good time!