What I learnt from my August Challenge

If you don't already know, my challenge was running 100 km this month. There were other challenges within the challenge but this was the main one. I posted about it a lot so it is only fitting that I provide some feedback.

I have made a list of some of the lessons, in no particular order, that I have learnt.

Share any views you might have with me, I would love to hear from you.

The body is stronger than the mind

There were times during the runs where I wanted to stop because my mind was telling me that I am tired and sore. Those days, I had to dig deep and ask myself where it hurts. When I did a body scan during the run, I would realise that, it doesn't actually hurt anywhere but in my head, I think I have run far enough for it to start hurting.

This was a learning curve. I do this often now, try to identify the area that actually hurts. if there isn't, I continue but if there is real discomfort, I stop.

Make your intentions clear/set clear goals

At the beginning of the month I was clear about the challenge I was embarking on. The goal posts were set and I knew exactly where I was headed. That kept me going when it really got hard. I hadn't reached my goal and I did not want to stop before I did. Everything in me was in agreement that this is what I wanted to achieve and I went for it.

You're going to have to at it alone

I have truly amazing people in my life but honestly, they have their own battles and challenges that they are dealing with. I would talk to them about what I am doing and what I am trying to achieve but ultimately, it is my thing.

What is important to me might not necessarily be important to the people around me. I had to remind myself of that when someone would lovingly say 'no one is forcing you' and that is true.

Keep showing up for yourself

I am notorious for quitting. I easily lose interest in things and I do not have follow through. I was very conscious of that when I declared publicly that I am going to be embarking on the challenges.

In a way, I wanted to be held accountable and I was. My friends would ask me how the challenge was going and I felt that I owed it to myself to keep showing up and to also break the cycle. And I did.

It can be done

Challenges challenge us differently. 100 km might seem like a short distance to one person and a ridiculous distance to another. I chose a distance I knew would challenge me and cause me to really dig deep. That looks different for everyone.

The first month I tried the challenge, I didn't reach the 100 km, I ran out of days.

You probably won't get it right the first try but it doesn't matter, you'll come back stronger, I did.

Maybe another person's challenge is not running 100 km in a month, it might be something bigger or smaller. My thing is, if it means something to you, do it, have fun with it and tell us about it.

Gcobisa M