Challenge

What do you challenge yourself to?  Do you say it out loud?  Do you tell other people?  When your insides say quit, do you challenge yourself to more?  When something dances in front of you do you push and say "I dare you?"

Of course you do.  We all do.  We each challenge ourselves to things we never imagined.  While my challenges seem crazy and outlandish to many, I can't imagine standing in the shoes of others challenging themselves on a daily basis.  To each their own, and the challenges that draw them.

It is part of our human nature, push, work, challenge.  Love, fight, challenge. 

My challenge:

That would be the inside of my knee.  It was a mess.  It hurt, and for good reason.  I pushed through an entire season, challenging myself to more.  I have no regrets.  This year was amazing.  One Ironman attempt with multiple lessons learned.  A half ironman with incredible friends.  Another Ironman attempt and completion with the loving support of my husband and parents- and many many friends- in person and from a distance.  A half marathon in the support of the beginning of one of my best friend's running career. 

My challenges for the upcoming year are different from any time previous. 

Training hard and smart.  At least one and possibly 2 Ironmans on tap for the year.  Additional smaller races and plenty of training time.  Starting slow and paying attention to technique.  Gradual increase and build.  No injury goes ignored.... tough challenge.

Nutrition.  I have learned a lot about training ride and run nutrition.  Race nutrition.  I eat incredibly carefully in the days leading up to a race.  The rest of the time... not so much.  This has lead to a downward spiral now that I am not training.  Time to get back on the horse and remind myself that fuel matters, and this extra baggage has to go.

Enjoy the moment, enjoy the journey, appreciate the gift.  Sometimes we have to remind ourselves, this is what we wanted.  We asked for this.  We set this goal.  Soak up every second.

What are your challenges?  Be specific.  Reach for more than you thought possible.  You've got this.