Tough Guy Tough Gal Challenge, by Chris Austin

When Davis' first talked about doing the Tough Guy, Tough Gal Challenge, I was really excited! I love playing in the rain with my grand children, and the idea of going a step further, getting into the mud and really challenging my physical abilities sounded like a great opportunity. Some of the others on staff thought the eight of us who took on the challenge were a bit more than crazy! Leaving home at 7am on the day and travelling to Rotorua with two work mates, the day started out beautifully, and we travelled through sun most of the way, then hit heavy fog. Lucky for us by the time we arrived at Lake Ranch in Rotorua the sun was shining brilliantly.

The place was a hive of activity, and there was a tangible feeling of anticipation in the air. We all donned our team shirts with "Davis Funerals – We will see you at the finish" on them, got into our shoes, which had to be taped on so the mud didn't suck them off, and we were ready to go. I had done virtually no training for this challenge and although I play tennis I hadn't played much over the winter. I knew it was going to be tough for me, and I told the rest of the team not to feel as though they had to hold back for me but they were adamant we would stick together.

While we were waiting at the start line, I looked around me. I saw only two people who were older than me, one a quite elderly man. I spoke to him and found he was 83 years old! And then we were off! We had a "transponder" tied to our shoes which activated when we got across the start line - that took awhile as we were quite far back and there were almost 2000 people there. The start was up quite a big hill, so it's good that it was slow and the crowds spread out as the more competitive ones surged ahead. There was a lot of laughter up ahead as we headed down the hill over quite rough terrain and down to the first of the muddy obstacles. Slimey mud up to my knees! It was quite an effort to remain upright to get through to the other side. Over some more obstacles and up the road, I started to realise how unfit I had become, and had my team mate Michael staying by my side and encouraging me along. The others had got a bit ahead of us. Up another big hill, over a fence and there was my team waiting for me! I was pretty chuffed to see them there. I was really struggling by now, and Michael was urging me on, and once again at the top, was MY TEAM! Down hill, through a bush track, ANOTHER HILL! We're almost there and we could hear shrieks of laughter up ahead. Here is the big one! Thick porridgey mud up to my chest! It was such an amazing feeling being swamped in mud! People coming in behind me helped to pull my feet out so I could take another step, but I kept getting stuck! David was in front of me and tried to drag me through, but I needed more helpso Michael came back and between the two of them I managed to regain my feet and make progress through and out! That was the best fun ever! Stepping through the tyre obstacle, slipping and sliding, over the final bale and we made it. We all crossed the line within a minute of each other – our Davis Team – together. After that it was a cold hose down before finally getting clean enough to get dressed.

What an amazing experience! I have never felt so valued as I did that day, with my team mates supporting and encouraging me all the way through. Just coming around a corner and seeing them waiting for me was awesome, as was hearing others comments about our team spirit. I never expected to get so much out of this experience, not just the satisfaction and pride in myself for finishing, but being a part of something much greater than the event itself. Would I do it all over again? You bet, with one difference, I would do some hill training first! And the 83 year old man? Yes he finished too. What an inspiration!

Chris Austin