Dawg with a Blawg

Happy Sunday! 😀 Today’s post is going to be a bit different than my usual daily recaps, so if anyone reading this is looking for their normal laugh (Dave), then I’m afraid you’ll have to look somewhere else. I’d like to talk about something really cool that I did this weekend.

Yesterday, I participated in a competition at my gym. The competition was called the Level Up Games, and I have been working towards it all year. It has been my main goal since I watched last year’s competition. Seeing the strength and determination in everyone’s faces as they fought through every round was so inspiring. I stood there last year just amazed at what they were doing, knowing that there was no way I could have done it in that moment. I decided that I was going to work hard to be ready for the next time I was given the opportunity to do something like that. And that’s what I did. It’s what I’ve focused on all year; anyone that spends any amount of time with me has heard the words “Level Up” way more than they probably wished to. I just wanted to be able to say that I tried it, and now I can!

The competition consisted of three different rounds. Each round was capped at 10 minutes, and the only thing I cared about was not getting disqualified by going over that time limit. I would have been fine with 9 minutes 59 seconds. I was nervous and doubting myself and I almost talked myself out of a it a few times, but I did it anyway and I actually really surprised myself. My times were way better than I expected, and I didn’t fall down or pass out or throw up or die. All things I was very scared were going to happen to me while my friends and family stood around and watched. I’m so glad none of those things happened, that would have been so embarrassing and also gross. I finished all three rounds with minutes to spare, and I am really, really proud of myself.

Working all year to get my body to a place to even consider doing this was hard. Deciding to sign up for the competition was hard. Practicing the workouts in the two months leading up to it was hard. Showing up yesterday and giving it absolutely everything that I had was hard. But I did it. I fought through every moment that I wanted to break and wanted to give up. I kept going because I wanted to prove to myself that I could. And when it was over, I felt incredibly strong and proud and grateful.

Before I wrap this up, I just want to share what my favorite part of this whole experience was. Taking on this challenge reminded me of how much love and support that I have in my life. My entire family showed up to cheer me on. Some very lovely friends of mine took time out of their Saturday to be there for me. The incredible trainers at this gym gave me advice and encouragement that will stick with me for the rest of my life. This whole weekend was just a reminder of how much goodness and love that I have around me, and how truly lucky I am.

I hope everyone knows that they are capable of more than they think, and it’s important to take on a challenge every once in a while to remind yourself of that. You are strong and you can do hard things! You just have to be willing to try.

Try and try and try again Dawgs! ❤