The Mudder
Krista, 28, upstate New York
Full-time mom and full-time grocery store supervisor
Mudder History
2017 Western NY Classic and Tri-State NJ Classic
2018 Virginia Classic, Nashville Classic and 5k
2019 Virginia Tougher, Indiana Classic, and signed up for Nashville Tougher!
I Mudder because…
My boyfriend invited me to one right after we started dating. I spectated and took pictures of him and saw how much fun he had…so I surprised him at the next one I was supposed to spectate at by buying a ticket to run with him. We had a blast and it’s become a huge part of our relationship. Two years, five more events run together (and dozens more for him alone), an engagement, and we’re planning many more in our future. And hopefully a Tough Mudder wedding!
On the morning of a Mudder, I wake up feeling…
A little nervous. I’m always afraid I might get hurt, but I know my fiance has my back. Mostly I’m excited. I can’t wait to get on the course and achieve new goals for myself by completing obstacles I haven’t before, or finishing in a personal best time, or getting over my shy tendencies and making friends with fellow Mudders along the way.
My favorite part of being a Mudder is…
Definitely the sense of camaraderie. Everywhere you turn there is someone offering a hand, or a knee up, or to spot you on a high obstacle. When I did Virginia this year I had a woman help me complete Cage Crawl for the first time. She put a hand under my back and went beside me every step of the way to make sure I didn’t sink and panic from my claustrophobia, and I’ll never forget that moment. There truly is “No Mudder left behind.”
Being a Mudder has changed how I…
See myself and how my daughter and my family see me. I’m normally shy, reserved, and afraid of everything. So when I get out there and complete an obstacle that overcomes one of my fears, I feel strong and brave and accomplished. It makes me proud when my daughter says she can’t wait to be a Tough Mudder like my fiance and I, and she’s excited next year she’ll be old enough to do her first Mini Mudder.
Why do you Mudder? Join the conversation at #WhyIMudder on Facebook and Instagram, and read more Mudder inspiration.