LBL Challenge

"You won't know your limits until you try to extend them..." Martin Dansky quote

The most recent challenge I'm taking on is the LBL Adventure Race Challenge this weekend.

Why invest the time, energy, planning, expenses, & training for something that won't result in a chance to win $1,000,000?
Why invite pain, injury, psychological ups & downs, and sleep deprivation into my life when everyday life is challenge enough?

It's always to prove if I can do it. To push my limits. To dig deeper & find strength I didn't know was there. To learn about myself, others, & life. To conquer my doubts.


I anticipate coming away from this challenge with many metaphors, ways I see this race paralleling everyday life challenges & situations. I hear this sort of event is more challenging mentally than it is physically. And since I'm on a 4-person team I expect many lessons to be learned relationally, as well.

After this even I hope to complete the following metaphors plus add more to the list:

• Packing for an adventure race is like...
• Taking the first step of a 24-hr race is like...
• Following the lead of 3 men is like...

WHY THIS BLOG?

Hours of training and racing, dollars in expenses, and invested valuable yet priceless time isn't yielding me fame, riches, a professional sports career (or even a future husband) so why do it?

Rising to a sports challenge is rewarding in more ways than just physical (such as adrenaline, adventure, speed, strength, endurance, milestones and success). In addition, through the journey of setting a goal, training, preparing, and competing...I strive, learn, grow, develop, discover, improve, strengthen and overcome - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Those lessons will last a lifetime; far beyond the few moments of cheers and congratulations or pride of receiving a medal. They are lessons that remind me I can face adversity in life, at work, in relationships. They are lessons that apply on AND off the bike or race course. They are lessons that will come to mind when I'm too old to remember what it even felt like to cross the finish line.

Life consists of countless finish lines and along the journey to those highly anticipated lines is where the enduring lessons lie. The journey is the challenge.  

RISE TO A CHALLENGE!