2009 Goals - continued

I want to finish up explaining my goals over the next couple of posts.
#4 goal is entering a couple local competitions summer '09. The hometown contests are a lot of fun and really foster a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. The crowd cheers every competitor, guys help each other and push each other. It is just an enjoyable event.

The smaller events also help to gauge where a person is as a competitor. It is a nice yard stick to measure yourself by. This past summer, before I started getting serious about strongman, I took second in a local contest. If I had already been planning to compete as an amateur that competition would have told me I really stink at it. But since I decided to start training after that event I can use it as kind of a base line to gauge my progress by.

In June of 2009 I want to finally enter the Sparta Butterfest Strongman Competition. The Sparta contest has an entry fee and pays out cash prizes to first through third places I think. The cash adds a little more motivation in the heat of the contest, but money isn't a big motivator for me (just ask my wife about working for cheap or free). Besides, Is a $100-$200 prize worth the agony of training for the better part of a year for it - No Way! The motivation is much higher, as I have already stated. It has to be higher than money and pride because both will leave you empty in the long run. I am just thankful right now that God has given me the good health and opportunity to do this, and my prayer is that it remains well pleasing to Him.