This post is rated Olympians.

How has January gone for you? Are you excited about the upcoming season? Do you have any races planned? Is your training in line with your expectations? Are you confident at the moment?

Let’s just assume that you answered “yes” to all of these questions. Now, let me challenge you a bit. (Its ok, I am trying to make you feel a bit uncomfortable.) I want you to look at your goals for the year ahead and STRETCH THEM. Yeah, go ahead and blow them out of proportion! The only way you are going to grow as an athlete is to push your limits.

I love Dave Ramsey’s quote: “You will never do anything new in life until the pain of same exceeds the pain of change.”

Practically speaking, let’s give this thing a whirl….

Replace your spring 10K with a half-marathon.

Swim 2 miles in one training session on your endurance day.

Stay on your bike for another hour this weekend, when your body is telling you to stop.

If you continue on the path of normal, your destination will be exactly that…NORMAL. If you’re ok with living in obscurity well then continue on…BUT,  let me encourage you (while you still have time for the year ahead) to plan outside your comfort zone.