Adrian’s Birthday Challenge

As I brainstormed my Birthday Challenge over Thanksgiving week, I, as usual, dragged my parents into the mix. On Sunday, January 11, two days after his __th birthday (I’m not telling, but you can guess) my dad, Roger,  completed the first annual Roger’s Birthday Challenge.

Here’s the challenge we brainstormed:

• 57 minutes running
• 57 pushups
• 57 situps
• 57 minutes biking (he substituted 2.5 hours of hiking due to the cold and wet weather)
• 57 tennis balls thrown to Achilles (the new Border Collie!)
• 20,805 words read

That’s quite a list. And sure enough, true to his word, my dad completed the first ever Birthday Challenge of the Reif Family @ 8:20pm. When I asked him about it, here’s what he had to say:

“I really wanted to do it, I looked forward to it, but it’s also my 57th birthday. I hadn’t been too active with all the holidays, travel and work. I felt intimidated, my age, little training and running isn’t like it used to be, so the fear of starting hacked at the back of my mind. I don’t know if I can do this. Mom encouraged me saying “You can do it [or no dinner for you - Adrian's edit]“

As with anything, the first step - getting started - is the hardest. I also thought about the purpose or goal -  a challenge, something different, making a difference, & fun. I felt much better having accomplished it, something else besides eating birthday cake.

Plus, I ended the night reading in a hot bath for 2 hours!”

With his finish came an extra surge of energy and excitement for my own challenge - and a profound sense of pride for seeing my dad attack the challenge with enthusiasm. I’m hoping to follow in his footsteps (including his 2 hour soak in a hot bath at the end). Great job, pops!

I think it also shows us the power of not giving in to excuses - he had plenty of reasons not to get out and challenge himself - but he did it anyway.

It’s necessary to send out a special “thank you” to my mom and dad for always supporting my crazy ideas - and sometimes joining in.

Have you created your Birthday Challenge for 2009 yet?