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When I have some time, I’ll make a separate, more detailed post about the naming of this challenge. In short I dabble with tarot cards a bit. I find it relaxing, meditative and creative. I decided to do a reading for what I might expect or aim for in this challenge. There are many ways to do a reading. I decided to lay out three cards and to designate them as “body, mind and soul” (which is also open to interpretation, but my intention that the first card would tell me about potential physical gains, things to work on, or possible difficulties, the second would be more intellectual…things I might learn about for example, and the third would be somehow spiritual). In the third position I got the card for “the world” inverted. So my world was upside-down. There are many interpretations, but very very briefly, “the world” is a very good card…full of opportunity, but for me something is in the way of progress (it’s upside-down). I want to think about what that could be. So the tarot cards won’t really tell me that…but it’s an opportunity for me to think about my own life and what might be standing in my way to progress. I’ll think about it more and interpret the cards more fully. I’ll probably put it under spoilers because I know not everyone is particularly interested in tarot! A wise NF member @ShadowLion often says you need to be careful what you name your challenge. Maybe this is one of those. It is (or will be a little upsidedown) but hopefully won't stay that way. (Incidentally, SL is the one who inspired me to try tarot in the first place) Ok, so here’s the more “normal” part of my challenge: 1. Run 120 miles: I have a half marathon at the end of zero week and then an ultra run at the end of week 1. Another ultra run at the end of the next zero week. With these big events, I’m going to have to play my training a little by ear, seeing how much body recovers. If I complete the first ultra, it will count as a lot of distance toward the challenge, so I should have plenty of space for recovery. 2. [9 week challenge!] Run 50 hills: I’m making this one a double challenge and starting on week 1 (March 20 for me). 50 hill repeats total…typically a set of 6 once per week, but I can imagine a lot of variations. The rules are: (1) I have three specific hills in mind that “count”…but other hills could be used if they are at least as difficult, (2) I have to run the hill at least 3 times in a row to count it. 3. 50 (chin-up) negatives: I like this goal because it serves as an umbrella. To do the negatives I have to go to the gym, which means I also lift. My lifting this challenge is going to include regular “batwings” to work on my rhomboids. For the first couple weeks, I also have a medicine ball workout that I’ll throw into the mix. 4. [Starting in Zero Week] Where’s the beef? I’m not really sure how much protein I consistently get, and I think a little more might help recovery. 0.55-0.7 g/lb would be something like 77-98 g [I know some people aim higher, but this is consistent with most things I’ve read regarding nutrition for endurance athletes]. I’m going to aim for consistently getting 85-90 g. Goal is to track it 3 times per week for at least 4 weeks. If I finish early, I can count it as a win, or keep going. 5. [Starting in Zero Week] Daily Dare PvP. My actual personal goals are (1) to try the dare every day and (2) to hit “titanium” by earning 60/70 points. Because life sometimes interferes and because I can’t control the difficulty of the dares, I’ll count this for “full credit” if I at least try 30/35 dares.