Always Up For a Good Challenge

Over the past few years, I've signed up for a few physical challenges that involved hours of training, fundraising, proper nutrition, and extreme focus. Two, in particular, were a hiking challenge for children's cancer research (Curesearch) where I hiked 28+ miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in one day and a half marathon, which happened to be the following month.

Training for both kept me quite busy but I had good reason for wanting to complete them. The hike was not only a physical challenge that was of interest to me but it was raising funds for a cause that hit close to home. A colleague and friend of mine had a baby boy that was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 2 months old. I was drawn to a cause that might benefit him and other kids in his situation, plus it was a hike on the PCT. I was running the half marathon with a friend of mine from high school, who I hadn't seen in a number of years - way too long. This was our "thing" to get an activity on the calendar that we could do together and allow us to reconnect.

I seem to be most drawn to challenges, whether these are physical or otherwise, when I'm looking for something more in my life. Either my work or relationships are not delivering what I need or my mind needs a new, unfamiliar task or activity to focus on and stretch me. I'm the type of person that needs to feel like I'm moving forward or working towards something. I am not happy with going to work and then sitting on the couch. It doesn't work for me. I like my mind and body to be engaged and always learning.

Right now, I have backed off of the extreme physical challenges, mainly due to the time commitment to train, and I put writing and blogging in its place, to try something new. In other words, I'm stretching creative muscles versus physical and tapping into a skill that I've practiced for years but only in the safe place of my journal. It is different and a little scary but it’s satisfying my life in ways that other parts are not. I look forward to this challenge and all the learning that comes with it.