WHEELING – Tabatha Burns is known as the motivator in her fitness class, but even she needed encouragement Sunday before the start of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan.

It came from fitness friend Nancy Farmer, 50, who is also an amateur bodybuilder.

“You know you’ve got this,” Farmer told Burns in a strong voice.

Burns, 45, was asked if she was confident she would overcome the challenges in the race.

“Not really, but Nancy says ‘yes,'” she responded.

Both women are Wheeling residents who work out at the Wheeling YMCA in Elm Grove. Burns said she has had good preparation from fitness trainer Steve Quickel.

“I am dying in his class, but I have survived,” she continued. “He is a very good instructor. But we don’t know what we are going to get today.”

She admitted to being nervous.

Farmer, meanwhile, jokingly said she had “sent my kids my obit just in case.”

“This is my first time in this race, but it has been on my bucket list of things to do,” she said. “I’m looking forward to doing it.”

Burns then had a moment of panic.

“You mean you haven’t run this race before?” she asked Farmer.

Farmer assured her she had participated in other distance challenges, and they would be fine. Farmer said to prepare for such challenges she consumes carbs and an energy drink before the start.

“It’s all about finishing the race, and being a partner,” she explained.

Burns said when it was over she planned to celebrate by “having a beer.”

“I’m just going to be thankful to God that I made it through,” Farmer added.