Take the challenge

When did you last try a new sport that scared you? When did you push yourself physically and mentally? And when are you too old to stop?

People have a tendency to give up sporting challenges when they get to a “certain age”. Often feeling that they’re too slow to run a marathon, or too old to challenge themselves.

To accept this view is to give in. You are never too old to test yourself both mentally and physically, indeed this is often what keeps the mind and body going.

A great question to ask yourself is… ‘How old would you be if you did not know your age’?

Read any paper – there are inspirations everywhere.  The oldest marathon runner was Mr Fauja Singh, completing his final marathon race at the age of 101! GrownUps member Richard completed the Coast to Coast Mountain Run despite recovering from a brain bleed which left him paralysed down one side.  If that’s not enough, right here in NZ we had an 80-year-old competing in and completing an Ironman.

For those of you that don’t know the Ironman is the ultimate endurance triathlon. It consists of a 3.9 km swim, followed by a 180 km cycle ride and ending with a 42 km run, otherwise known as a full marathon! It is raced in that order without a break. And is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.

An ironman maybe a few steps too many for most of us. If so, why not sign up to a 5km run? A 1km ocean swim or a group mountain trek? Even a team triathlon, getting your friends active and healthy and sharing the experience and achievement.

New Zealand is perhaps the greatest country in the world when it comes to the variety of outdoor activities and sports for ALL ages. If you doubt this, take a walk at sunrise any morning of the week, it’s always great to see a large amount of over 50’s that compete and often outperform those “spring chickens”.

The hardest step is the first step, get your head around that and you’re on the journey. Have a goal in sight but focus on the now, ensuring you never become overwhelmed. The best way to tackle this is to break it into sections.

Step 1: Be responsible for yourself and your family. Make an appointment with your local doctor and get a full checkup.

Step 2: Decide what you want to get out of this experience; Meeting new people? Losing weight? Raising money or simply setting yourself both a physical and mental challenge?

Step 3: Get started, there is no time like the present.

Step 4 Make it a habit. The accepted time frame for forming a new habit is 21 days. If you can get yourself motivated for 21 days to achieve your goals, the rest will be easy.

So…..what are you waiting for?

Take your time, enjoy the challenge and give yourself time to research and train before any events. Thrive upon taking on something that scares you a little, and don’t forget to celebrate each and every success along the way.

Take the challenge!

By Katy Powell