“KEEP moving those legs otherwise you’ll get stuck and I’m not coming in to get you,” joked one of the British Military Fitness (BMF) team members.

My legs felt as though they were moving through thick treacle as I tried to drive my knee up through the mud. I was waist deep in a bog of black, tar like mud trying to make my way to the other side where I had to clamber up the steep bank and run towards the next obstacle.

This was how I spent last Sunday, taking part in The Major Series, voted the UK’s best trail race and branded as the friendliest 5K and 10K obstacle race covering everything from hills, mud, water and ditches to ropes and even bright pink space hoppers.

For me, it was all about tackling nature’s obstacles and functional fitness. Arriving at Bramham Park near Leeds for the 9.30am start wave and the first of the day my teammate Dane and I we were encouraged to write our numbers on our head and I can see why – those paper numbers don’t last long when you’re battling the elements.

9.30am came and we were off on the 12k trail race, not quite the 10k we were expecting.

Keeping your trainers on tight was vital as you entered the Stench Trenches. The smell of fresh mud hits you instantly and as the BMF volunteer said before keep moving otherwise you will almost definitely get stuck.

If you thought that was the end of the mud though you thought wrong as Cooper’s Crawl requires you to showcase your best commando crawl and keep as low to the mud soaked ground as possible.

Cooper’s Crawl is a doddle compared to the Spike’s Mud Crawler which adds barbed wire to the mix and the dangling electric fence wires give you a shock if you don’t stay low enough – much to the amusement of Dane.

Then came the one I was dreading the most, Martin Marine’s Zone. I’d known for the entire race that it was coming and after half way my legs were already numb from the cold mud and freezing water we had waded through so far.

The Marine’s Zone has two barriers you have to swim under. If you’re brave or sensible enough you’ll do it in one go. With about four BMF experts waiting for you at the other side, shouting encouragement to you to get underneath it’s like a brain freeze as you submerge yourself in to the icy water and out to the other side.

My favourite obstacle by far though has to be Sander’s Slide where Corporal Sander is ready to give you a good soaking before you take a run up and slide down the hill on your stomach much to the joy of spectators.

Last but not least, remember space hopping when you were younger? Well the last obstacle before you run over the finish line is the Breast Cancer Campaigns pink space hoppers where you have to hop around a short part of the route before that satisfying sprint finish.

Waiting for us at the end was a well deserved goodie bag full of porridge sachets, protein coconut water, a beetroot bar, dog tag medal and a £25 voucher for a health food website.

To find out more about The Major Series visit majorseries.com.