Reach new heights!


Fears conquered

Heights have been something I have feared for as long as I can remember.  The feeling of falling has kept me from many adventures.  Not ever seeing any reason to push through and overcome this fear has allowed me to keep within my comfort zone and in control of whatever situation I might find myself.  
A few years ago Charlie and I went on a backpacking trip to a place at the base of Mt St Helens.  The beginning of the hike was a beautiful trail along the edge of a cliff that led us to a vertical ladder.  As we approached the ladder Charlie said, "I didn't want to tell you about this for fear that you would say no."  He was right, I would have.  We had our backpacks on and looking down this 40ft ladder sent a sense of panic.  Not wanting to back out I began my decent.  Charlie had gone first and stood at the bottom to talk me down.  It wasn't near as bad as I thought it was going to be and there was a sense of pride as I had made it past an obstacle I never would have tried if given the out. 
Spartan races have given me the opportunity to push past this fear multiple times.  Do I like heights now?  Nope, but I don't see them as the ultimate beast anymore either.  Each of the 7 races I have completed have provided plenty of opportunity to climb high obstacles and each one I have climbed.  
It is so easy to step aside and find another way when something that scares us comes along, but the sense of accomplishment and pride when we face that fear and move ahead is far greater than the fear itself.  I hope that starting today you find a way to get over the wall, hurdle, or obstacle that has potential to stop you.  With each accomplishment may you recognize a strength not there before that will give you the ability to move ahead to greater things!


Monday:

10 minute warm-up

5 rounds:
5 minute Row or Bike
10 Push-ups
10 Bench Dips
20 Sit-ups

Cool down / Stretch

Tuesday:

10 minute warm-up

4 rounds:
800m run
25 walking lunges
25 scissor kicks

Cool down / Stretch

Wednesday:

45 - 60 minutes Yoga

Thursday:

10 minute warm-up

3 rounds:
50 air squats
1 mile run

Cool down / Stretch

Friday:

30 minute Bike or row at a good pace

5 rounds:
10 Bicep curls with a challenging weight
10 Dumbbell thrusters - use a challenging weight
10 Sit-ups

Cool down / Stretch

Saturday:

10 minute warm-up

5-10 mile run

Cool down / Stretch








Comments

  1. Half Dome to Half Marathon MomFebruary 2, 2018 at 5:39 PM

    This is such helpful advice. When I find myself in a fearful situation, I ask, " What would I do if I wasn't afraid?" Very rarely are my fears validated by my situation. Pausing to ask this question and realizing how fear can get in the way of so many opportunities, empowers me to take the next step. After learning this and using this approach the past few years, I have climbed on the toe of a glacier with my family, learned to belay and be belayed for rock climbing, kayaked in open ocean to get a closer view of wild sea otters, and even hugged my teenage son at his most unhuggable moments.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Strong JourneyFebruary 4, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    You're awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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