Challenging times

Week 9 of the challenge concludes today. Tomorrow is supposed to be a day of rest, ah - who has the chance of resting these days, I've got weeds to pull out and mulch to put on the garden. Not to mention all the other jobs I haven't had time to do during the week. And I would have to say most people reading this are exactly the same. Rest - I don't think so.

So how have you been? I hope you have been enjoying the daily dose of motivational medicine e-zine this week. We've covered some interesting topics and I have gotten to pry into the lives of many different people this week. But I haven't updated you on my progress to date have I, so here we go.

The challenge has been a challenge. I told you a while back that the lack of support has been a major issue for me.  And I am convinced more than ever, that a good support network is vital to your success.  The people who set up the challenge have not checked up to see if I am still going, nor have they told me who else is on the challenge, so I can't even ask them how they're doing. I get one email once a fortnight outlining the next round of training, and that's it. Disappointed - you bet I am.

But there are some positives. A comment from a friend who is also a regular gym go-er told me "I was half the woman he used to know" and  I can run for reasonable distances on the treadmill without it hurting the knees too much. The latter is a good thing because I intend to run the city to surf half marathon next August. And I do mean run - not jog. Now all I have to do is get over the boredom factor and I should be ok. I am fortunate though - it's my birthday next week and I am hoping the birthday fairy will give me the means to buy an MP3 player so I don't have to listen to myself puff and pant !! I am just kidding. But not about the MP3 player - the music they play in the gym is a bit dire sometimes.

But why set myself another challenge? When I haven't completed this one yet? Well they way I see goal setting is this, it is essential that once you have completed one task item that is on your goal lists it is important that you reassess your goals and see what else you can do in order to reach the winning post. To be able to run a half marathon has always been on my to do before I die list. Do you have that kind of list? You should - the reason for being "life" list - personal challenges that can't be completed in a few short weeks, but take time, planning and the motivation to do them. Why do I want to run a half marathon - because I want to prove to myself that I can. And so it is with this challenge - I could have chucked it in, in fact I had thought about it more than once. But this challenge is just another stepping stone to  where i really want to be. Fit, healthy and a damn sight smaller that I currently am.

So - what life challenges have you set for yourself? And what are you doing in order to reach them?

I'll speak to you again soon.