Giving 110%

I have a quote written on the backside of one of my race numbers that reads: “The generality of mankind is lazy. What distinguishes men of genuine achievement from the rest of us is not so much their intellectual powers and aptitudes as their curiosity, their energy, their fullest use of their potentialities. Nobody really knows how smart or talented he is until he finds the incentives to use himself to the fullest. God has given us more than we know what to do with.”

And that is truth. But you can’t just want it, wish it, hope for it…you have to LIVE IT 110% of the time.

There is progress being made toward my winter goals this year. Some are farther along than others but not for lack of trying. I have been nose down in training and giving it my all.

Here is my current status:

#1: Master The Pull Up.

I am plugging away at this one. Pull-up after painful pull-up. I have the calluses to prove it. I may have overestimated myself on this one. (20 pull ups in a row!?  What the heck was I thinking?) Presently I am at 2 sets of 10.  I've got some work to do.

Goal #2: Master the Butterfly

Check! Done and dusted. I swam 200 METERS of butterfly at the NE Masters Swim Championships.  Not only did I avoid drowning I actually pulled off the win in my heat. Downside: between pull-ups and all of the butterfly practice my lats are magnificently massive.

Goal #3: Complete at least 4 Monster Winter Hikes

This goal has been revised due to a very exciting update. I received an e-mail from the United States ambassador for Winter ITU and got a special invite to race the inaugural event in one of my favorite cities: Quebec!  The unique winter triathlon consists of snowshoe racing (totally got that):

Speed skating (totally have no clue what that involves) and skate skiing (I'll let you make your own decision regarding my skill level based on the picture below):

uh oh

So it is safe to say I have to get my butt in gear and at least become somewhat proficient in 2 new sports. In my opinion, this new winter adventure is equal to at least 3 winter hikes.

Goal #4: Take Back the National Snowshoe Title

Working hard in this Artic Vortex we call Concord New Hampshire.

Goal 5#: Learn to shake my booty!

I was absolutely honored to be chosen to be a contestant for Concord's Dancing with the Stars 2014. This great event raised $50,000 for the local college and was an absolute blast to be a part of. My partner and great friend Jay Hauser studied in the ins and outs of Swing Dance for 3 months and in my honest opinion I think we nailed it:

 

So get out there and give 110%! Worst case scenario you'll be stronger than when you started.