Nathan: Hi, I’m Nathan from the DVCC and today I am going to speak to Tanja about the recent 5k mud run called the Warrior Adrenalin Race, which she took part in as part of a 30 strong DVCC team. First things first, can you please introduce yourself?
Nathan: And, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?
Tanja: I am 44.
Nathan: Awesome. Do you have any children?
Tanja: No.
Nathan: And do you mind me asking you what do you do for a living?
Tanja: I’m in Project Management in IT & Telecom.
Nathan: Ok, so the mud run is a little bit outside of that. What exercise experience do you have?
Tanja: I have always exercised on and off; I play squash and I used to go to the gym, but it’s always been a bit inconsistent.
Nathan: And how long have you been at the DVCC for now?
Tanja: Since the beginning of 2015, so 5 months.
Nathan: Awesome. So let’s get right into it – previous to the Warrior Adrenalin Race, had you ever taken part in a mud run before?
Tanja: No, never.
Nathan: And do you have much running experience?
Tanja: No.
Nathan: Is running something you enjoy?
Tanja: No, not normally, it’s not something I would normally choose to do.
Nathan: So looking back over a year ago, do you feel that you would have been sitting here today, being interviewed about doing a mud run?
Tanja: Absolutely not!
Nathan: And how did you feel on the morning of the race.
Tanja: I was nervous. Mainly because I was nervous about what was coming up and whether I would actually be ok with the running part of it.
Nathan: And those nerves started when? Was it the minute you signed up or…?
Tanja: Definitely!
Nathan: What were your expectations about what you were about to do when you arrived on race day?
Tanja: I didn’t expect there to be so many obstacles, I thought it was going to be more of the running part; so I’m actually glad there were more obstacles, it broke up the run!
Tanja: Yes, it was really good.
Nathan: They are normally very well put on and well done. Which obstacle was your favourite?
Tanja: The big slide!
Nathan: Awesome – we have got a picture of you doing that so we’ll add that in. And did you complete all the obstacles?
Tanja: There was one I didn’t and that was the rope climb.
Nathan: And how did that make you feel?
Tanja: I was fine with it; I felt like I had achieved quite a lot by that stage anyway.
Nathan: So there was no-one that kind of pressured you to do it?
Tanja: Absolutely not.
Nathan: Did you feel safe the whole way round?
Tanja: Yes, completely.
Nathan: Awesome. And do you think that the training that you have done with the DVCC has helped you with some of the obstacles that you did on the day?
Tanja: Absolutely – without a doubt.
Nathan: Was there anything that you were nervous about doing obstacle wise, but kind of pushed through your fears?
Tanja: I think a couple of the bits which were jumping down from quite a high height probably I was a little bit nervous of doing; but apart from that I really enjoyed it.
Tanja: No. It was just the landing; climbing a high height and then landing without breaking something!
Nathan: It is, it was a bit nerve wrecking, I’ll be honest. What advice would you give someone that wanted to do a mud run is but perhaps nervous about doing one?
Tanja: Just do it. Do your best, try as hard as you can to get round; everyone helps each other out and it is fun.
Nathan: Are you going to be taking part in the next DVCC team mud run?
Tanja: Yes.
Nathan: I have got that on recording now so I’ll make sure of that! Tanja, it has been a pleasure speaking to you, thank you very much. And if you’re listening to this interview, I hope you found it useful; this is Nathan from the DVCC in Milton Keynes, I hope you have a great day.