So, as Brian mentioned, we've qualified for the WTM. I received the email, and immediately after re-reading it three times and trying to catch my breath, I tried to call both Danny and Brian. When neither one of them answered, I immediately texted Danny the following message: "You NEED to call me ASAP!"
After a quick phone conversation with Danny, and a message left on Brian's phone, I started to think seriously about what we've gotten ourselves into. After all, it's all well and good to aim for these kinds of things. Setting goals helps us to do many things in life: chief among them to keep moving forward with actually living that life. Many goals that we set are small, for example, waking up at a certain time. Some goals are large, for example, getting a Ph.D. Some goals are unthinkably insane, for example, qualifying for a 24 hour endurance race.
What started as a bit of a lark based on reading an article in ESPN the Magazine has lead the three of us to a monumental challenge. We've pushed each other. We've tested ourselves. We've joked and laughed with each other, and we've achieved every goal that we've set for ourselves (surviving our first Tough Mudder, thriving on our second, running two laps on a Saturday, running the Saturday/Sunday double, and qualifying for WTM). Each of these goals has seemed more extreme than the last, and yet we continue to aim higher each time. Not only that, but we end up crushing those goals once they're set.
The question is, what happens when you get what you want? Does setting unreasonable goals and then achieving them scare or motivate you? The first thought I had when I saw that email was "Wow, we actually did it!" and the second thought was "Holy *@^#, now we have to do it!" I'll be honest here, so far, none of the goals we've set for ourselves have scared me. I'm not even all that scared of running in the WTM (after all, no one would actually expect us to compete for first place). We all know that Pak will compete for - and probably win - the individual challenge, and if he doesn't then the winner will be a beast. Amelia Boone will push the men, and might beat them. The group winner will probably have to run 6 or 7 laps. As long as we show up, run a few laps, don't get hypothermia or frostbite, and make it back to our wives, I'm pretty sure that everyone would consider that a win. The thing I'm worried about is the complacency that comes with achieving our penultimate goal so early in the process. What do we do between now and then? Do we try for double laps on Saturday and Sunday? Do we go for speed? Do we try for three laps on one day (I think this would actually be the toughest to achieve because it would probably mean we'd have to do two sub-2 hour laps on a Saturday to make a third start time)? Each of these is challenging, but they pale in comparison to running in the WTM.
We will probably come up with something insane as a test, and, based on our conversations in Miami, I feel confident in saying that we have some fun - and funny - things planned in the coming months, but I fear for the safety of the three of us if we keep feeling the need to raise the stakes. I guess that's what comes from getting what you want, though, right?
After a quick phone conversation with Danny, and a message left on Brian's phone, I started to think seriously about what we've gotten ourselves into. After all, it's all well and good to aim for these kinds of things. Setting goals helps us to do many things in life: chief among them to keep moving forward with actually living that life. Many goals that we set are small, for example, waking up at a certain time. Some goals are large, for example, getting a Ph.D. Some goals are unthinkably insane, for example, qualifying for a 24 hour endurance race.
What started as a bit of a lark based on reading an article in ESPN the Magazine has lead the three of us to a monumental challenge. We've pushed each other. We've tested ourselves. We've joked and laughed with each other, and we've achieved every goal that we've set for ourselves (surviving our first Tough Mudder, thriving on our second, running two laps on a Saturday, running the Saturday/Sunday double, and qualifying for WTM). Each of these goals has seemed more extreme than the last, and yet we continue to aim higher each time. Not only that, but we end up crushing those goals once they're set.
The question is, what happens when you get what you want? Does setting unreasonable goals and then achieving them scare or motivate you? The first thought I had when I saw that email was "Wow, we actually did it!" and the second thought was "Holy *@^#, now we have to do it!" I'll be honest here, so far, none of the goals we've set for ourselves have scared me. I'm not even all that scared of running in the WTM (after all, no one would actually expect us to compete for first place). We all know that Pak will compete for - and probably win - the individual challenge, and if he doesn't then the winner will be a beast. Amelia Boone will push the men, and might beat them. The group winner will probably have to run 6 or 7 laps. As long as we show up, run a few laps, don't get hypothermia or frostbite, and make it back to our wives, I'm pretty sure that everyone would consider that a win. The thing I'm worried about is the complacency that comes with achieving our penultimate goal so early in the process. What do we do between now and then? Do we try for double laps on Saturday and Sunday? Do we go for speed? Do we try for three laps on one day (I think this would actually be the toughest to achieve because it would probably mean we'd have to do two sub-2 hour laps on a Saturday to make a third start time)? Each of these is challenging, but they pale in comparison to running in the WTM.
We will probably come up with something insane as a test, and, based on our conversations in Miami, I feel confident in saying that we have some fun - and funny - things planned in the coming months, but I fear for the safety of the three of us if we keep feeling the need to raise the stakes. I guess that's what comes from getting what you want, though, right?
Love the post Pat. I didn't anticipate qualifying this quickly and was left with a now what feeling. It seemed like a wild goal that is now our reality. Looking forward to West Virginia and then a double/single in VB. I've been chasing the Gazelle and now we'll be chasing Pak! He will of course likely have lapped us several times but you cannot see that in pictures.
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