By Eric Noel Roman

Are you up for the challenge? The journey never stops. Even though you believe you have reached the top of your game, that does not mean that you should stop trying to grow. Each time you take a swing at life, you gain knowledge and grow strong. Each challenge opens you up for more growth and new goals may be set. Recently, I made another attempt at one of the hardest challenges in my life.

If you have followed me, I returned to Killington, Vermont for the “hardest Spartan obstacle race in the series.”

Thirty miles was the goal. I stepped up to the starting line for the sixth time. With four fails and one finish, I was up against the odds but that did not scare me away. Each year this course becomes progressively more difficult. Some years I did not finish due to cold weather crippling me. Other years I could not beat the clock and missed cut off points.

At each return I applied knowledge from the course. It was cold once, so I trained in a meat freezer (the only cold weather in Florida). When time beat me, I ran harder and faster, improving my mile time. When the slopes slowed me down, I jumped on stair machines. Nothing was going to stop me.

Boom, the race starts and I am off. The race was the same as always, technical footing, wild terrain, tough obstacles, and monstrous inclines. Ultimately, I did not finish. Eighteen miles in nine hours sounds slow, but I examined every step.

I am applying what I have observed and am going back next year. Same goal, just finish. I am up for the challenge. Set your goals and never let up. Once you have your victory it will be that much sweeter.