"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." Zig Ziglar
Today I want to set the record straight on what this challenge is all about. When I talk to people and try to get them to see the importance of exercise, one of the first things they say is..."Well, I can't run a marathon!" Most people immediately equate exercise with the level I am at as a marathon runner. They compare themselves with me, thereby missing the whole point! So today, I want to boot this thought completely out your head. This challenge is not about becoming a marathon runner or 'beating' me at this 5K in the spring. This challenge is about YOU and you alone!
Now, certainly, as a runner, I have learned many things, so when I say things it may come across as a 'challenge' to you on a personal level, but the reality of what I say is more of a challenge to what level you are at NOW. This challenge was issued to motivate ALL of us to do whatever we need to do that gets us off our butts and do SOMETHING! If you are able to run, then RUN. If walking is the best you can do, then WALK. If you can ride a bike, then RIDE. If you can swim, then SWIM. Whatever you can do, you NEED to do it! The point of the challenge is to motivate you out of your lethargy and off the couch! Over these past ten years, as a runner, I have been through a few season changes and I understand all too well the difficulties of transitioning from fall into winter. To me it is by far the most difficult of the seasonal transitions.
Now, it has been said, you may have forty million reasons to not exercise, but you don't have one legitimate excuse! In this day and age, the technology that is available to us leaves us without an excuse. There are many runners, who suit up in 'winter running clothing' and run outside throughout the winter. We have so many choices, from purchasing actual exercise equipment to buying a workout DVD, there is something available 'out there' that will meet our need to meet the challenge! Then comes the excuse I don't have any money for any of this stuff (which I find interesting, since you have been able to find the 'money' for a lot of other things that support your continual path to sickness!). Truly, running/walking is one of the cheapest hobbies you can get involved in. It takes but a decent pair of shoes, proper clothing, and you are off to the 'races'! In the end, the only thing it costs, is the price you pay when you make all those excuses.
When I issued this 'challenge' I thought about what a drag it is to deal with these winter months. It's difficult enough to get motivated let alone deal with being cooped up inside for the next three months. Then I thought, how great it would be to have a 'network' of people sharing a common goal. A group of people encouraging one another to DO SOMETHING this winter! Working together to break down the doors of the cabin with a different kind of fever.
So, remember, this challenge is NOT about you 'beating' me, but really about you beating yourself! This challenge is about meeting you where you are at RIGHT NOW, and doing something, anything to get yourself to the next level! When race day comes this spring and we cross the finish line, I don't care if you come in last place. The fact that you accepted the challenge and kept to your commitment to transform yourself, will truly make you a champion in my eyes! And I know, if I can someway help get you to the finish line, you will also feel the same way about yourself and THAT will make all the difference in the world!
Now, certainly, as a runner, I have learned many things, so when I say things it may come across as a 'challenge' to you on a personal level, but the reality of what I say is more of a challenge to what level you are at NOW. This challenge was issued to motivate ALL of us to do whatever we need to do that gets us off our butts and do SOMETHING! If you are able to run, then RUN. If walking is the best you can do, then WALK. If you can ride a bike, then RIDE. If you can swim, then SWIM. Whatever you can do, you NEED to do it! The point of the challenge is to motivate you out of your lethargy and off the couch! Over these past ten years, as a runner, I have been through a few season changes and I understand all too well the difficulties of transitioning from fall into winter. To me it is by far the most difficult of the seasonal transitions.
Now, it has been said, you may have forty million reasons to not exercise, but you don't have one legitimate excuse! In this day and age, the technology that is available to us leaves us without an excuse. There are many runners, who suit up in 'winter running clothing' and run outside throughout the winter. We have so many choices, from purchasing actual exercise equipment to buying a workout DVD, there is something available 'out there' that will meet our need to meet the challenge! Then comes the excuse I don't have any money for any of this stuff (which I find interesting, since you have been able to find the 'money' for a lot of other things that support your continual path to sickness!). Truly, running/walking is one of the cheapest hobbies you can get involved in. It takes but a decent pair of shoes, proper clothing, and you are off to the 'races'! In the end, the only thing it costs, is the price you pay when you make all those excuses.
When I issued this 'challenge' I thought about what a drag it is to deal with these winter months. It's difficult enough to get motivated let alone deal with being cooped up inside for the next three months. Then I thought, how great it would be to have a 'network' of people sharing a common goal. A group of people encouraging one another to DO SOMETHING this winter! Working together to break down the doors of the cabin with a different kind of fever.
So, remember, this challenge is NOT about you 'beating' me, but really about you beating yourself! This challenge is about meeting you where you are at RIGHT NOW, and doing something, anything to get yourself to the next level! When race day comes this spring and we cross the finish line, I don't care if you come in last place. The fact that you accepted the challenge and kept to your commitment to transform yourself, will truly make you a champion in my eyes! And I know, if I can someway help get you to the finish line, you will also feel the same way about yourself and THAT will make all the difference in the world!
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