Tough one

Executive: Brian Ehrlich, owner and founder of HoneyDo. The Sarasota-based firm, with six employees, does carpet and tile cleaning, maintenance and handyman and janitorial services. Ehrlich also held executive positions at several technology firms before he launched his own business.

Diversion: Tough Mudder is an obstacle course race of about 10-12 miles held in cities and towns worldwide. The obstacles play on people's fears, such as heights, fire, water and getting shocked with electricity. One obstacle is the aptly named arctic enema — participants swim through a dumpster filled with ice, go under a wooden plank and come out on the other end. Some call Tough Mudder a Woodstock for sports. “It's like an obstacle course on steroids,” says Ehrlich. “Their idea is to keep you wet and muddy the entire race.”

Get ready: Ehrlich has competed in Tough Mudder events in Sarasota the past two years. He trains for the events by enhancing his regular workouts, doing a little more cross training, weightlifting and running. A Tough Mudder, says Ehrlich, is challenging, “but there are elements of fun.”

All in: One of the best aspects of Tough Mudder, says Ehrlich, is the camaraderie and everyone-is-in-this-together spirit. In his two events Ehrlich has helped others, strangers before the event, push through mud and get past other obstacles. “It's not like a marathon,” he says. “It's not how fast you finish, but when you finish.”

Be strong: The most recent event, held this past November, had an ominous beginning. While Ehrlich and his family pulled up to the field, police and emergency personnel were clearing another field for a medevac helicopter landing. Ehrlich texted his friend and Tough Mudder co-participant, Jamie Biller, in the car behind him, to make sure he saw it. Says Ehrlich: “That was the first thing we saw that day.”

Big time: It costs about $140 to enter a Tough Mudder, a fee that varies based on the location and how close to the event the entry is paid. Ehrlich has participated in mini-triathlons on Siesta Key and has run in multiple shorter races in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Tough Mudder is his most unique event. “This is a much different atmosphere,” he says. “You are not just out there running. In a twisted way, I look forward to this.”

Shock jock: Ehrlich says the toughest Tough Mudder obstacle could be the electroshock therapy station, usually the last phase. That's where participants run through hay bales and dodge sinkholes under a string of live wires.

Flame game: Participants who get through one Tough Mudder can enjoy veterans-only perks when they return. This past year, for example, Ehrlich was allowed to go down a high slide into a pool. The catch? The end of the slide was on fire. Ehrlich slid right past the flames and into the pool.

Return days: After a few days of recovering from the ice and electric volts, Tough Mudder 2015 was already on Ehrlich's mind. There's a 24-hour Tough Mudder in some cities, but Ehrlich isn't sure he's ready for that. For now, the regular Tough Mudder is the perfect diversion. “As adults, it's not really acceptable to go out in the woods for a few hours and play,” says Ehrlich. But that's what makes Tough Mudder work. Says Ehrlich: “It's like you get to be a kid again.”