As 2020 starts this will be the 5th year I have gotten myself into the obstacle course racing. Is it a race for me, not really. I am an overweight male that needs to lose 20-25 pounds and I do not even dream of thinking I will be competitive at one of these races. Why do I do it than? Let me tell you why.

1. It Might Have Just Saved My Life.

In 2016 I saw a post from my niece saying she was doing one of these runs with her father. I thought

this was awesome. I was just told recently that I am pre-diabetic (I know, it is like being pre-pregnant). I knew something had to change or I would probably be very ill in my drinking and non-exercising lifestyle. The first I ran was a little one called Swamp Stomp in Hillsborough River State Park. Hey, this is cool, I can do this. I then signed up for the Savage Race Florida in Fall 2016. I NEVER felt anything so intent and painful in my life, yet was oblivious to my limp and pain as I strolled across the finish line. Even though I could not get up that Colossus Wall or succeed in anything that had to do with upper body strength, it was still an accomplishment. I KNEW THEN this is something I will NOT stop doing. In so doing I know the little bit of training I do to try to improve from my previous years has kept my A1C1 numbers in check to not cross over to the danger zone.

2. You ALWAYS have friends on the course.

It is sad to say ….. I do not have many friends. I am the classic slightly overweight, average looking, middle-aged male that does not appeal to most people that say “I want to be his friend.” This means I usually sign up to do these OCR’s alone. The one thing I have found out, though, once on the course, everyone is your new friend. True, I may not be invited to dinner the next week, but there is always a hand to help when needed. I have even had slim women attempt to help me over a wall I cannot climb, just so I am not left behind unable to succeed. The OCR community is a family once on the course. It is like an annual family reunion with relatives you meet for the first time.

3. You Get The Chance To Challenge Your Fears

Whether it be the 35 degrees of cold water in the Shriveled Richard, or the 10 thousand volts to shock you running through Electroshock Therapy, or even humping waist high flames after 13 miles to get to the finish line, there is always something to test your mettle and your fears. I have found I can do things I never thought I would be able to do quite easily, and others I have no chance in hell in doing, and others I say no way in hell will I do. The first brings a “wow” to my face, while the others I keep trying event after event hoping this will be the time. Never in my life would I dream I would complete a Spartan Beast. Never in my life would I dream I would be able to free climb a rope to ring the bell; but I succeded in both of those my third and fourth years of running these. Seeing that woman take 20 minutes to climb over the Mudderhorn brings a smile and a cheer from everyone and myself as I also think of the obstacle I overcame I never thought I would.

4. Memories Are Forever

The memories of what you do are forever. I am lucky I am able to record each event on a go pro and see my improvements year to year. The memory of seeing a disabled person achieve something they never otherwise would have done sticks out in my mind forever. The hand that reached down to me to get me up over the Colossus Wall that very first time will last forever. The nasty fall that should have broken my leg on a balance beam (the Nutcracker) was a bruise I wore for months and a memory forever. These are the reasons a lot of people run these, good or bad. I keep trying to get someone to do this with me and I explain you will love it or hate it, but either way, you will ALWAYS remember that first run. I even try to get my friend to allow her son to experience this for the first time ever, for that memory.

5. Wear The Mud, Blood, Sweat, And Bruises As A Proud Achievement

I have gotten many bruises through the years, ear aches from water that lasted weeks, mud on areas of my body that takes days to get fully cleaned, and the occasional bloody scratch through these runs. I may be in pain for days, but it is always the pain of glory. It is really prevalant through the race. At times you may think the classic Queen song “Another One Bites The Dust.” As any Queen fan knows, though, is that song is directly followed by “We Are The Champions” and that is how I feel at the end of every run, no matter the consequences of the run.

Mud Runs and OCR’s come and go, but they will always have a crowd if they are around. I will be doing my 8th Savage Race in 2 weeks, 3 Tough Mudders hoping there will be a 4rth this year, 1 Spartan and it was a BEAST, 3 Warrior Dashe’s, and many other local ones. I have given many reasons why I run these: medical, personal, physical, and mental. The foremost reason as a solo runner as to why I run these is I have new friends for the 3-8 hours I am out there. A clap on the back to not give up. A helping hand to get over a 10 foot wall. A muddy hug when you or someone else accomplishes something they never had. This is the main reason I do Ocr’s and will never stop until I am unable to do so again. ALSO,  DO NOO FORGET THE BLING.

Thank you Savage Race, Tough Mudder, Spartan, Rugged Maniac, Mud Endeavor, and Swamp Stomp for making this all possible. I look forward to running this all these races again many many times more in the future. Also, I am ALWAYS Seeking someone to say “CAN I JOIN YOU FOR THIS RUN?”

The Thrill Freak 

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. I was not paid or given anything for this review. Be sure to follow me on twitter @TheThrillfreak and instagram @thrillfreak, or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.