The Benefits of Fitness Challenges
Sometimes I feel like I overcommit and have too many activities on my plate. Maybe I do, but I feel it is important to have interests, learning opportunities, and goals outside of my professional life. I've been in a place where my role and my work were my entire identity, and its not a healthy way to live. There is more to my life than my title.
During times when I feel I need a confidence boost or a more positive outlook, I like to find something to stretch my abilities and have a goal in front of me, usually something physical. By focusing on training for a physical goal, I show myself what I am capable of, and that helps me face fears and obstacles in other areas of my life.
Here are a few examples of activities that I have taken on in the last couple of years:
Curesearch Ultimate Hike - In 2018, I registered for the Ultimate Hike PCT, which benefits children's cancer research. Not only was this a physical challenge with training requirements, but it was also for a great cause. I consider myself to be pretty good at hiking and fairly experienced with different terrain and conditions, but this hike was almost 30 miles in one day and in elevation, so training and preparation were essential. Clothing, nutrition, hydration, gear, and sun protection had to be carefully planned out for a successful hike. This challenge showed me what I could endure (including blisters and ankle rashes), what I could do physically, and how I could support and raise money for children battling cancer.
Running a half marathon - This was certainly a stretch! I am a runner but never ran any distance close to a half marathon. My friend, Renee, and I wanted to take on a challenge together, and we decided on a race. We registered, trained (in our respective states - South Carolina for her and Virginia for me), and ran it together. We ended up finishing within just a minute or so of each other, and it was a great accomplishment.
Learning to paddle board - I bought a paddle board and decided to figure it out! I joined a Facebook group for paddle boarding newbies and watched YouTube videos that gave great tips for standing, turning, paddling, and getting back onto the board after falling, which thankfully has not happened yet! It was my goal to be confidently standing and go on weekly excursions until the weather changes, and I am doing that.
Whole30 - I decided to do the January Whole30 in 2020, and while this is not a physical activity, it is a reset that requires dedication, strategy, and lots of learning. Whole30 eliminates a lot of food and requires those who are participating to read labels carefully and plan meals with compliant foods in order to be successful. It is very precise, in that only one slip may result in having to start over. I took this on during a month when I knew I’d have business travel, which added a whole other level of planning, but I'm happy to say I did make it through the month, felt great, and learned a lot about foods, especially hidden sugar.
Fitness and physical accomplishments, whether it is holding a plank for 2 minutes or climbing a mountain, gives me the confidence to do the hard things in life. If I can push through the last few miles of a half marathon and hike those steep, rocky hills during the last part of the Ultimate Hike, then I can do many other things. I can have difficult conversations, give a big presentation, or make that tough decision. Physical challenges not only require physical toughness but also mental strength.
Yes, there was always a chance that I would fail at completing the hike or have to walk part of the half marathon, but I would never know how far I might go or how well I might do without trying. Now that I have completed these challenges, it gives me the confidence to take on something new in the future.
It is about time for another one. What will it be? I’m open to ideas.