To get you in the Beat the Heat Spirit, AFM chatted with David Goggins, star runner and Beat the Heat participant.

AFM: What made you interested in signing up for Beat the Heat Scottsdale 2013?

DG: Well, it sounds like a pretty tough race just because of the heat. Just being in that kind of environment makes it a very tough race, you know? It’s only an 11K and 5K, but running that in 120 degree temperatures is pretty tough.

AFM: How do you prepare to handle the heat?

DG: I’ve been doing a lot of running in the heat, so I will probably be running in Las Vegas and Phoenix just trying to get ready for it. I’ll be spending time in the sun just trying to get acclimated to the heat.

AFM: Are you used to this kind of heat or is this your first time dealing with it?

DG: I’ve run some long races before in pretty extreme heat.

AFM: You are a Navy SEAL, correct? How did that help you prepare for being an ultra-marathon runner?

DG:I don’t think it prepared me at all. I think the way I was raised prepared me for it. I was raised by a very strict mother who trained me well about how to handle adversity.

AFM: After your service in Iraq, you were inspired to start running to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Can you tell me more about that?

DG: Basically, a buddy of mine in Afghanistan was in a horrible incident and was motivated to raise money for their families for their kids to go to college and that’s what’s motivated me for running.

AFM: And you weren’t a runner before that?

DG:Well, I was about 290 pounds before that.