It is 3 days before the Tough Mudder in Central Florida and I will be running my first Tough Mudder ever. It is hard to believe 2 years ago I decided I was going to start running the “mud runs” and did one at the Hillsborough River State Park in their inaugural Swamp Stomp. It was a lot of fun, but the obstacles were not really designed to be challenging at the level of a mudder. They were challenging enough to know that I want to do more. I WAS ADDICTED!!!!

This was a big thing for me. I was diagnosed by my Dr as pre-diabetic and she said I have to do something or I will be in a world of trouble. I am horrible at exercising, I just do not have the self-discipline. I do have the determination to succeed though. IN 2016 I ran my first major run in Florida called the “Savage Race.” That 6 miles showed me what I am made of as well as my weaknesses and strengths I never knew I had. I am 35 pounds overweight, and I could not do the Sawtooth, Savage Rig, failed on the Colossus Wall or anything else involving upper body strength. I was amazed when a guy asked if I needed help over a 10 foot wall and I knew this is about camaraderie. I got my strength and forced myself to run across that finish line and never knew pride for myself as such as I did then.

2017 started with the Warrior Dash which was a fun run and my weight issue did not really matter, but I had a lot of fun with the mud that I am sure I will see during a Tough Mudder. Throughout 2017 I did a number of runs including the Savage Race again which i completed feeling better and even made it up the Colossus Wall with valued help from a stranger. I recently went to my Dr and no longer considered a Diabetic scare. This journey to do a Tough Mudder I attribute to being where I am now, but sadly, still 35 pounds overweight.

I am volunteering Saturday to get a feel of the spirit of Tough Mudders and help where I can as well as motivate me for when I do my run on Sunday at 9am. I KNOW I WILL NOT COMPLETE THE FUNKY MONKEY. I know I will not get up Everest without help. I know I will not get over Berlin Walls without help. I know I will not be able to do the Reach Around, and running solo, maybe unable to do the Hero Carry (which means a lot to me as a veteran). What I do know is that I will attempt and complete those obstacles I can, I will attempt those I am unsure of and even make a run on those I know I will physically be unable to accomplish. I know I will dive into the Arctic Enema – The Rebirth and challenge my body to that drastic change of temperature. I know I will stand there at the Blockness Monster trying my damnest to get a hold of it to be pulled over and help get the others over it also. I KNOW I WILL RUN THROUGH ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY to get to the finish line, and if I am knocked on my ass, I will crawl to the finish line, BUT I WILL FINISH!!!!!!!!

Here I am just shy of 50 years old and this will be my first Tough Mudder and I will be tackling it alone, but I will do it with pride no matter what happens. If anyone reads this article and running Sunday morning alone, I welcome you to join me and tackle this bastard together!!!! I look forward to the friends I will meet as I achieve this accomplishment. I will finish Sunday as a TOUGH MUDDER!!!!!!!!

If you are running this weekend and want to share your story or run with me, please email me. If you want to run with me or just wish me good luck. I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak @TampaAmazeMe

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. Be sure to follow me on twitter and instagram, or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns. Or text 941-320-2518 (tell me who you are if doing this)